North Carolina Central opens its season Monday at Virginia Tech, marking Olivia Gaines’ first game as the Eagles’ head coach. NCCU is rebuilding around seven returners and a guard-heavy roster after going 9-20 last season; Virginia Tech is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.

By the Numbers
  • 6 p.m. ET tipoff at Cassell Coliseum; the game will air on ACC Network Extra.
  • Gaines went 36-19 in two seasons at Allen.
  • NCCU returns 7 players on a 15-player roster that includes 10 guards.
  • The Eagles were 9-20 last season; Virginia Tech finished 23-10.
  • Aysia Hinton set NCCU Division I records with 36 points and 12 three-pointers in one game last February.
Yes, But

NCCU’s perimeter-focused roster offers a different approach after last season’s offense and rebounding leaned heavily on post players Morgan Callahan and Aniya Finger. The Eagles, however, face a proven Virginia Tech team and have yet to win in four meetings with the Hokies.

State of Play
  • Victoria Morris and newcomer Eboni Clay are on the MEAC Preseason Watch List; Hinton is NCCU’s returning scoring leader.
  • Virginia Tech is led by guard Carleigh Wenzel, an honorable mention All-American and All-ACC selection.
  • NCCU opens on the road against a Power Four opponent for the fourth consecutive season.
What's Next

Monday’s matchup begins the Gaines era and tests whether NCCU’s guard-heavy roster can compete with an NCAA Tournament team on the road.

Bottom Line

This opener is an early measure of NCCU’s new direction: a first-time Division I head coach, a reshaped roster and a steep challenge from Virginia Tech.