NCAAW: #3 Iowa vs #8 Virginia Tech Odds, and Picks (Nov 9)

• Iowa pummeled Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday, winning 102-46.
• Virginia Tech defeated High Point, 94-55, in their season opener.
• These two teams last met on March 21, 2004, in a game Virginia Tech won 89-76.

The highly anticipated 2023-24 women’s college basketball season is underway! Let’s preview the Iowa vs Virginia Tech game. This is a key matchup between two title contenders. It should be a high-scoring bout.

How to Watch

• Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
• When: Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 8 p.m ET
• Channel: ESPN2

Odds

Preview

Iowa dominated in their opener, winning it 102-46. Caitlin Clark made 11 of 17 shots, finishing with 28 points. The Hawkeyes can expect that from Clark, but a combined 41 points from bigs Sharon Goodman and Hannah Stuelke was a great indication for their ability to support Clark in scoring. On the other hand, the rest of the backcourt didn’t do a ton, which makes things more difficult against a bigger Hokies team.

Virginia Tech had no trouble defeating High Point in their first game. After jumping out to a 38-15 lead in the 1st quarter, they led by 20+ for the majority of the game. Elizabeth Kitley was one of the NCAA’s best centers last season, and got off to a great start this season. She racked up 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the win, and will be tasked with stifling Iowa down low and preventing them from scoring easily.

Prediction

This is a matchup that could very well be a preview of a Final Four game this season. Both teams are projected to finish as either 1 or 2 seeds, with this game offering their first key opportunity to build their résumé. I expect this to be a relatively high-scoring game, with Caitlin Clark leading the way. The key will be how well Iowa’s other guards can support her if Kitley dominates down low. I see Iowa getting the win.

NCAAW Picks:

• Iowa 91, Virginia Tech 87 ()