Virginia Tech-NC State Women's Basketball Preview: Meeting No. 2

Topher Wagner

January 28, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Coming off of a heartbreaking loss to No. 2 NC State, Virginia Tech has a fast turnaround as it hosts a rematch with the Wolfpack.

In a strange turn of events due to rescheduling, the Hokies will face off against undefeated NC State for the second time in two games after their heartbreaking 89-87 loss in Raleigh just four days ago. Both teams are trending in opposite directions as the Wolfpack has not lost this season and sit at a perfect 11-0.

Virginia Tech, meanwhile, is reeling after its seventh loss in eight games. Despite the skid, the Hokies are still getting plenty of production from their star players. Elizabeth Kitley and Aisha Sheppard did everything they could in the loss to NC State putting up a combined 54-points in the losing effort and will need to replicate that performance if they want to succeed and pull off the upset Thursday afternoon.

For the Wolfpack, they toughed out arguably their greatest test of the season so far in their showdown against the Hokies as they won by just two with leading scorer Elissa Cunane not playing. In her place, NC State got a tremendous performance from the duo of Jakia Brown-Turner and Kai Crutchfield who put up 23 and 20 points respectively. They were also boosted by a phenomenal off the bench outing from Kayla Jones as the senior forward put up 22 points including four 3-pointers.

If the Wolfpack want to continue their winning ways they’ll have to get similar performances out of their star players against a Hokies squad that’s hungry to avenge their recent defeat.

Last time out, NC State continued its long-time dominance over the Hokies as the team improved to 22-1 in the all time series. For head coach Kenny Brooks and Virginia Tech they’ll look to pull off the daunting task of knocking off one of the last undefeated teams in the nation and avoid dropping below .500 for the first time all season.

Virginia Tech Key to the Game: Break the Press

Late in the fourth quarter of their last matchup, it looked like the Hokies were about to pull off the huge upset on the road, all they had to do was close out their double digit lead. What happened next was an utter collapse as NC State’s full court press defense smothered Virginia Tech, leading to a 19-2 Wolfpack run and ending in yet another heartbreaking loss for the Hokies. In order to overcome NC State, Virginia Tech will have to make some offensive adjustments to break this press and convert late so it doesn’t let another fourth quarter get away from the Hokies.

NC State Key to the Game: Stay hot from Downtown

The Wolfpack were able to narrowly beat Virginia Tech last time primarily because of their offensive explosion from three point land. NC State hit 14 three pointers including five in the fourth quarter to salt the game away as the Hokies’ perimeter defense imploded down the stretch. If they can replicate this performance again, NC State will be difficult to take down.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Aisha Sheppard

Despite the close loss to the Wolfpack, Sheppard made some impressive history in the process. After connecting on four 3-pointers in the contest, the veteran leader is now Virginia Tech’s all time leading three-point shooter. Unfortunately, this great achievement also came in a contest where Sheppard shot just 8-for-23 from the field and was unable to put away NC State in the fourth quarter. In what should be a close contest, the Hokies will need Sheppard at her best if they hope to pull off the upset.

NC State Player to Watch: Kayla Jones

Even though NC State was down its top scorer in Elissa Cunane last game, the offense didn’t skip a beat as it put up 89 points, their highest output in weeks. This was largely due to Jones, who starred off the bench putting up 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Despite its recent skid, Virginia Tech’s offense has exploded as of late. NC State will need Jones to have another great outing to keep up with the Hokies.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 85, NC State 80

On paper, it appears that NC State should put away the Hokies with ease in this game. The Wolfpack are the No. 2 ranked team in the country, while Virginia Tech has won only once in their last eight tries. However, last game Virginia Tech truly gave NC State a scare. They led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter and likely would have won if not for some hot late game shooting from the Wolfpack.

Kitley is playing her best basketball of the year right now for Virginia Tech and her huge second half performance in the team’s last game showed that NC State will be hard pressed to limit her scoring once she’s on. After so many close ACC losses and hard fought collapses in the fourth quarter this season, this will finally be the game where the Hokies put it all together and win one of the biggest games of Brooks’ tenure.