Opening day highlights, by the numbers:
12 – Turnover total by Richmond, which got new coach Aaron Roussell off to a winning start with a 70-62 decision at UNC Greensboro. About a month ago, Roussell said he was braced for some early-season miscues as his players adjusted to the new offense he was installing. Well, if this first game is any indication, these Spiders catch on quickly.
27 – Points by Virginia Tech freshman center Elizabeth Kitley, who led an onslaught by making 13 of her 15 field goal attempts in her collegiate debut, as the Hokies opened up a can on poor St. Francis (Pa.). Final score – Virginia Tech 105, St. Francis 41.
27 (Part II) – Career-high point total William and Mary sophomore guard Eva Hodgson dropped on Army in the Tribe’s 77-65 victory at West Point. And last year’s Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year got it done on both ends, as Hodgson also added five steals.
31 – Career-high scoring output from Virginia senior forward Jocelyn Willoughby for the Cavaliers, who opened with an 84-60 win over Bucknell. It was the first collegiate 30-point game for Willoughby – who also added 11 rebounds – and the most by any Cavalier since Monica Wright closed out her spectacular career with 34 in an NCAA tournament first-round loss to Green Bay on March 21, 2010.
37-2 – Run VCU used to spank Appalachian State. The Rams actually staggered out of the gate and were down 7-0 two minutes in when coach Beth O’Boyle called a 30-second timeout. The Rams’ relentless roll followed, and the home team cruised to a 66-38 victory. Bottle that timeout speech, Coach.
599 – Days since Liberty star Keyen Green last appeared in a game before the 6-1 redshirt junior took the court Tuesday night at Norfolk State. It’s safe to say she hasn’t forgotten how to play – despite logging just 14 minutes, Green, who earned Big South player of the year honors in 2017-18 but missed all of last season with an ankle injury, posted nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds in a triumphant return.
642 – Days between games for Norfolk State’s Chanette Hicks, who last suited up on Feb. 1, 2018, as a Virginia Tech Hokie. Hicks, a Norfolk native who starred at nearby Maury High, hit Liberty with a team-high 18 points, but an ice-cold fourth quarter from the entire team – 1-for-15 from the field over the final 10 minutes – doomed the Spartans to a 67-48 setback.
1,397 – Days between 3-point attempts for new Virginia Tech forward Lydia Rivers, the Radford transfer and formerly reluctant bomber who went full Steph Curry (relatively speaking) on St. Francis (Pa.) by going 1-for-2 from distance in the first half of the Hokies’ laugher. The 6-2 grad student went into the game 0-for-4 from 3 for her career, with the last attempt coming during her freshman year against Winthrop on Jan. 9, 2016.
Season openers on deck
Wednesday
Longwood at JMU, 5 p.m.
- We’re expecting a significant uptick in the fortunes of the Lancers their second year under head coach Rebecca Tillett. That said, any team figures to have problems visiting Harrisonburg, where coach Sean O’Regan will roll out yet another NCAA Tournament-caliber squad.
George Mason at Charleston, 6:30 p.m.
- With a host of returners led by reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Nicole Cardano-Hillary and fueled by the extra practices and bonding opportunities forged during an offseason European adventure, these Patriots are primed to get off to a strong start.
Hampton at Alabama, 8 p.m.
- Given that the Lady Pirates have wins over Mississippi State, LSU, Florida and Auburn since coach David Six took command, we’re a little surprised SEC schools are still willing to schedule these guys.
Friday
Campbell at Old Dominion, 6:30 p.m.
- ODU rolled in last year’s season opener by 24 at Campbell, where it was a case of a good team (Campbell went 23-13 last year) that matched up poorly with the Lady Monarchs’ speed and athleticism. We’ll see if the Camels have any fresh answers against an ODU squad that has virtually everyone back and, presumably, better than ever.
Radford at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m.
- Talk about aggressive scheduling. Vandy is the first of four Power 5 opponents – out of just nine non-conference games – for the defending Big South champion Highlanders, who were picked to win it again despite the loss of two all-conference performers.