Virginia Tech Basketball: A look at the Hokies’ November schedule - ACC, Cassell & Hawaii

This Tuesday kicks off the 2019-20 college basketball season. Virginia Tech is coming off of the strongest three-year run in the program’s history. However, the key individuals who helped lead the Hokies to the Sweet Sixteen last season are no longer in Blacksburg. New head coach Mike Young takes over for Buzz Williams, while a host of new faces try to rebuild the program following departures to the NBA and through the transfer portal.

One big change in the schedule this year is the introduction of the first ever 20-game ACC conference schedule. Six schools will face off in three opening night ACC clashes as the league starts the year and college basketball on the ACC Network. November will be a busy month, from getting a feel for the new head coach to learning the new faces in orange and maroon to a full slate of games. Here is a rundown of the Virginia Tech schedule for the month of November.

Virginia Tech at Clemson

When: 11/5 (Tuesday) - 7 pm ET

TV: ESPNU

Notes: Clemson are also in the midst of a rebuild, which means any result on opening night wouldn’t be that big of a surprise. The Hokies have only won once at Clemson since 2010.

Virginia Tech vs. Coppin State

When: 11/8 (Friday) - 7 pm ET

TV: ACC Network

Notes: The home opener in Cassell Coliseum should see a great crowd, with the school announcing that student season tickets sold out recently. VT has only played Coppin State twice, winning both games. The young Hokies will need a few solid games to get use to Young’s system and one another.

Virginia Tech vs. USC Upstate

When: 11/13 (Wednesday) - 7 pm

TV: ACC Network

Notes: This will be the Spartans third trip to Blacksburg, the first since 2013. USC Upstate beat the Hokies 64-63, but are projected to finish low in the Big South this season.

Virginia Tech vs. Lehigh

When: 11/16 (Saturday) - 1:30 pm

TV: ACC Network

Notes: The Hokies first weekend and day game welcomes in Lehigh for the first time. The Patriots are projected to finish in the bottom half of the Patriot League.

Virginia Tech vs. Delaware State

When: 11/20 (Wednesday) - 7 pm

TV: ACC Network

Notes: The fourth straight home game in a series against smaller conference opponents. It will be critical for the young Hokies to find a way to win these four fixtures, especially if they drop the opener to Clemson.

Virginia Tech vs. Michigan State

When: 11/25 (Monday) - 5 pm ET

TV: ESPN2

Notes: The Hokies travel to Hawaii to face the preseason #1 team in the country. Many experts have the Spartans picked to reach the Final Four, if not win it all in the end. While VT will be outmatched in this game across the board, it will be a great test and experience for the young roster.

Virginia Tech vs. TBD

When: 11/26 (Tuesday) - TBD

TV: ESPN or ESPN2

Notes: Based on results from the first round the Hokies would play either Georgia or Dayton.

Virginia Tech vs. TBD

When: 11/27 (Wednesday) - TBD

TV: ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU

Notes: This match closes out an eight-game month for Virginia Tech. Based on results from the first two days of action the Hokies would play one of the following - Kansas, Chaminade, BYU or UCLA.

College basketball is nearly back. Virginia Tech and Cassell Coliseum will be ready - even if the expectations this season are drastically different than the previous few years. The opening month of play will see the Hokies kick-off their ACC schedule, host a series of four games to get the students and alumni back into the spirit, and a trip to Maui to face off against the top team in the nation.

Enjoy the return, focus on learning the players and new head coach rather than expectations or results. Mike Young will need several seasons to rebuild the roster. As one of the youngest rosters in the country the new faces should have plenty of opponents to stake their claim in the starting lineup.

Which game are you most excited about - the season opener at Clemson, the first home game in Cassell Coliseum, or facing off against Michigan State in Hawaii? Let us know in the comment section below.