The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team has announced its 2017-18 non-conference schedule, featuring tough road games, a trip to Madison Square Garden and a home game in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Previously announced road games at Ole Miss (Dec. 2) and Kentucky (Dec. 16) will afford the Hokies challenging road games this season. Tech will host nine home non-conference games this season, including two home games in the 2K Classic.
On Nov. 16 and 17, the Hokies will compete in the semifinals and final of the 2K Classic benefiting the Wound Warrior Project. The Championship Rounds will be played in Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Tech will play Saint Louis at 7 p.m. on the 17th, followed by Washington vs. Providence. The Championship Doubleheader will be on the 18th, beginning at 5 p.m. All games in the Championship Round will be televised on ESPN2.
“This year’s schedule signifies another step forward in the development of our program,” head coach Buzz Williams said. “Road games at Kentucky and Ole Miss, plus a very tough 2K Classic in Madison Square Garden will challenge our team and help prepare us for the rigors of our ACC schedule, which should be, once again, the premier conference in college basketball.”
The Hokies will open the season on Friday, Nov. 10, as they host Detroit Mercy in a home game in the 2K Classic. Tech will be on the court again on Sunday, Nov. 12, as they host The Citadel.
Following the trip to New York for the Championship Round of the 2K Classic benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project, Tech will return to Cassell Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 21, to play its second home game in the 2K Classic against Houston Baptist. On Saturday, Nov. 25, Tech will host Morehead State.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the Hokies will host Iowa in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The game will be aired by one of the ESPN networks. This will be the Hokies’ fourth meeting with the Hawkeyes, all coming in the Challenge. Tech has won all three of the previous meetings, including two in Cassell Coliseum.
The December portion of the schedule will begin on Saturday, Dec. 2, as Tech will travel to Mississippi. Tech defeated the Rebels, 80-75, in Blacksburg last season. Tech then returns to Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday, Dec. 6, as they host New River Valley rival Radford.
The Hokies will host Maryland-Eastern Shore on Sunday, Dec. 10. Tech will return to the court on Saturday, Dec. 16, as they travel to Rupp Arena to play Kentucky. This will be the Hokies’ second road game of December at a Southeastern Conference opponent and the first meeting with the Wildcats since the 1996 NCAA Tournament.
In the final game prior to the holiday break, the Hokies will host Presbyterian on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The final non-conference game of the season will take place on Thursday, Dec. 28, as the Hokies host North Carolina A&T.
In addition to these non-conference games, the Hokies will play home ACC games against Virginia, Miami, Louisville, Duke, Florida State, Clemson, NC State, Pittsburgh and national champion North Carolina. The ACC road slate will feature games at Virginia, Miami, Louisville, Duke, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College, Syracuse and Notre Dame. Dates for ACC games will be released at a future time.
Full reseating and seat selection for the upcoming Virginia Tech men’s basketball season will begin in August. Season tickets will go on sale to the public at a date to be determined.
–VT Athletics
