On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The 2025 Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament starts today, and the Virginia Tech Hokies — who hold the No. 1 overall seed — are looking to run the table. Their first-round matchup against the NC A&T Aggies tips off at 6:00 p.m. The two teams have met just two times all time, with Virginia Tech leading the series 2-0. Their last matchup came on December 28, 2012.
With a lot of unfamiliarity between the two programs, you can find crossing paths this season in the level of opponents played. Against teams that made the NCAA tournament this season — North Carolina, Liberty, Florida Gulf Coast, and Norfolk State — the Aggies went winless, averaging just 51 points per game, which is 13 points below their season average.
The Hokies played five more games in the regular season against NCAA tournament teams — Iowa, Michigan, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, Notre Dame, North Carolina and California — securing three wins over Georgia Tech, Louisville, and California.
Against common opponents this season — Campbell, Elon, SMU and UNC Wilmington — NC A&T split their two games with Elon, swept both matchups against UNC Wilmington, but fell to both Campbell and SMU. Virginia Tech, by contrast, played each team once and won all four games, averaging an 86.5 points per game compared to NC A&T's 62.3.
With their impressive offensive performances, particularly against common opponents, Virginia Tech's dominance at home against out-of-conference opponents also stands out. The Hokies are a perfect 7-0 record at home, with an average winning margin of 29 points. In contrast, NC A&T faltered on the road against out-of-conference opponents, finishing winless at 0-5.
Prediction
With Virginia Tech starting their tournament run on home court, they seem well-positioned to come away with a win. Their potent offense will be a key factor, with four players — Carleigh Wenzel (14.5), Carys Baker (12.7), Rose Micheaux (12.5), and Matilda Ekh (12.3) — averaging over 12 points per game, giving the Hokies multiple reliable scoring options.
Final Score: Virginia Tech 85, NC A&T 64
RELATED LINKS
How To Watch And Listen: Virginia Tech Women's Basketball vs NC A&T In the WBIT First Round
Virginia Tech Softball: Hokies Roll Past Longwood In Double Header Sweep
More must-reads:
- Troubling update emerges about Joel Embiid’s health
- Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
'This Group Has Been Great': New Indiana Basketball Culture Rooted in Energy, Enthusiasm
Michigan football beaten out by SEC school for coveted class of 2026 linebacker
Saturday was not kind to Michigan football on the recruiting trail. Earlier in the day, the Wolverines lost a recruiting battle to LSU for four-star defensive lineman Deuce Geralds. Then, by evening, despite making a strong push for the nation's top cornerback in the class in Davon Benjamin, the Oaks Christian product chose Oregon. Shortly after Benjamin's announcement, four-star linebacker Anthony Davis revealed he was committing to Ole Miss, who was another prospect Michigan was in the running for before coming up short. The Wolverines have other targets the staff will try to seal the deal with in the upcoming months before the early signing period, but over the weekend came up empty on all three targets. Davis took an official visit to Michigan in June after making his debut trip to Ann Arbor for spring ball in April. Although linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and the staff began to make a strong push for the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, the Wolverines were never considered a frontrunner for the coveted linebacker, as Auburn was trending early with the Rebels making a later surge, according to Rivals' Chad Simmons. "Ole Miss started to make their move when coachcame to my house in January,” Davis told Rivals. “We talked for a couple hours about the defense, his plan for me, and what life would be like there.” Michigan, whose 2026 class ranks 11th in the nation according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, will now regroup and focus on other targets it has a chance to land at the position group in the class. Three-star Markel Dabney is the lone true linebacker committed to the class after flipping from SMU to the Wolverines in June. After missing on Davis, along with fellow four-star Nick Abrams to Georgia, IMG Academy's DQ Forkpa could very well be the focus point for Jean-Mary and the U-M staff. Forkpa was originally slated to make a decision on his commitment last month, but canceled those plans after the Wolverines reportedly made his recruitment take a turn due to a strong push from the Michigan staff. Now, Forkpa will take his decision into the 2025 season as the Wolverines continue to recruit him and add to their 2026 class as a whole. More Michigan News Four-star linebacker cancels commitment announcement as Michigan builds momentum Michigan football loses out to Oregon for nation's No. 1 cornerback ESPN insider pushes back on Michigan's potential to make CFP Aidan Hutchinson says injury is an 'afterthought' and 'can't wait' for Week 1
Justin Fields Called 'Biggest Loser' In Jets Training Camp
The New York Jets opted to cut Aaron Rodgers and sign Justin Fields to replace him during the offseason. This kind of commitment to Fields should bolster his confidence, but it could also place a lot of pressure on his shoulders. To this point, Fields has looked solid in training camp, aside from a scary toe injury that was quickly resolved in July. Justin Fried of the Jet Press recently reported that Fields' training camp may have reached a new low over the weekend as the young signal caller struggled. "Justin Fields put together his best practice of the summer to this point on Friday, completing his first 12 passes en route to an excellent all-around performance. The same can't be said about his showing on Saturday, however," Fried wrote. "Fields finished the day an abysmal 2-of-10 in the air, including a drop from rookie tight end Mason Taylor. "Some of his incompletions were catchable balls, but the Jets' passing game struggles on Saturday can largely be blamed on No. 7. Fields did flash his running ability with a 25-yard rushing score on the first play of red-zone drills, but the Jets would like to see more consistency in the air from the starting quarterback. Saturday's scrimmage was far from his best showing of the summer." Fields is a runner first at the NFL level, but his arm is nothing to scoff at. For most of training camp, his arm talent has been better than advertised, but during Saturday's scrimmage, it just wasn't there. A 2 for 10 performance is unacceptable for a $40 million quarterback who was signed to take over the team. The running game should open up the passing game for the Jets, which is going to need to be the case if Fields is going to struggle like this. However, it's just one day of camp. It's nothing to be too concerned about. Just because Fields lost this specific practice doesn't mean he's heading in the wrong direction as a whole.
DK Metcalf makes huge claim about Steelers defense
D.K. Metcalf has faced plenty of steep competition through his first six NFL seasons, both during games and practice, but the star wide receiver has noticed something different in his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During an interview with Ian Rapoport and Steve Smith of NFL Network on Sunday, Metcalf discussed some of his first impressions of the Steelers. He spoke about how challenging it has been to go up against cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay every day. When asked how the practice competition compares to what he saw with the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf made a bold claim about his new teammates. "You don't want my opinion, because I think they're the best defense I've ever seen," Metcalf said. "There's some dogs everywhere on the field, and I tip my hat to them because they come to work every day and we don't have any choice but to get better." There is no question that the Steelers should have one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL on paper. While they sent five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in the Ramsey trade, their cornerback trio of Ramsey, Porter and Slay is as talented as any in the league. The Steelers allowed 20.4 points per game last year, which ranked eighth in the NFL. Their pass defense surrendered 228 yards per game, which only ranked 25th. If Metcalf's assessment is accurate, Pittsburgh should show great improvement against the pass in 2025.
Commanders' multi-purpose weapon is good as gone entering August
Adam Peters is still trying to put together an acceptable contract offer that works for wide receiver Terry McLaurin. But the Washington Commanders general manager has some crucial roster decisions upcoming with final cuts on the not-too-distant horizon. Training camp is in full swing. Preseason games and joint practices are upcoming, which represent a good measuring stick for the Commanders to determine the fate of some who have their respective futures hanging in the balance. There will be no sentiment whatsoever attached to the team's decision-making process. And for one multi-purpose weapon, his status is becoming increasingly precarious. Kazmeir Allen could be the odd man out in Commanders' offensive dynamic The competition for places is fierce. This bears more significance in the running back room, although Peters didn't do much to fortify the unit during a busy second recruitment period at the helm. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will lead the charge. They have experience and proven production, but they will both need to improve to get new deals from the franchise next spring. And then, there's the presence of seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt to factor into the equation. Croskey-Merritt has blazed a trail from the moment he joined the organization. He's flashed exceptional promise, which could lead to rotational involvement right out of the gate if he passes some difficult upcoming tests with flying colors. That doesn't bode well for anyone else looking to make the roster. Kazmeir Allen is among them, but it's looking unlikely that the dual-threat out of UCLA is going to find his name on the final 53-man squad. Allen has versatility. He can play at running back or wide receiver with minimal fuss. The elusive former undrafted free agent is also a dynamic kick returner. Unfortunately, the Commanders have a few others capable of picking up the slack in that regard. Ekeler, Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, Jeremy McNichols, and even Deebo Samuel Sr. have all been getting looks in the return game at training camp. Allen won't be giving up without a fight, but it's clear that he's further down the pecking order than ever before. There's a chance Allen can stick around on the practice squad, as he's done for the last couple of years. That represents the best-case scenario. A bold yet attainable objective for the third-year pro, even though he'd probably like something more substantial. How Allen performs in the preseason will ultimately determine his fate. But from the outside looking in, he faces a significant fight to change the narrative. More Commanders news and analysis
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
