Preview: Virginia Tech Hosts North Carolina State in ACC Women’s Basketball Clash

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup is set for Sunday as the Virginia Tech Hokies host the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cassell Coliseum.

The Hokies (18-6, 8-3 ACC), looking to rebound from a road loss, face a Wolfpack squad (16-7, 7-4) riding the momentum of a dominant victory. Virginia Tech fell 80-70 at Notre Dame on Thursday, while North Carolina State cruised past Florida State 83-55 the same night.

Virginia Tech’s consistency at home, where they are 11-2 this season, will be tested by a North Carolina State team that has won four of its last five, including an overtime road win at Virginia. The Hokies have won seven of their last nine games.

A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top guards. North Carolina State’s Zamareya Jones is coming off a season-high 25 points in 28 minutes against Florida State. Over her last seven games, the dynamic junior is averaging 17.1 points per contest.

She will be countered by Virginia Tech’s Carys Baker, who scored 21 points in the loss to Notre Dame. The senior wing has been a steady force, scoring in double figures in 11 straight games and averaging 17.4 points over that stretch.

The teams have followed similar paths in recent weeks, each suffering a narrow home loss to North Carolina. The Wolfpack fell 61-59 on Feb. 2, while the Tar Heels topped the Hokies in overtime on Jan. 4.

Rebounding and perimeter defense will be critical. North Carolina State leads the ACC in scoring offense, averaging 78.2 points per game, but Virginia Tech boasts one of the league’s stingiest defenses, allowing just 60.7 points per contest.

This game carries significant weight for ACC Tournament seeding, with both teams positioned in the upper tier of the conference standings. Virginia Tech won both meetings last season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.