Four women’s basketball non-conference matchups to watch out for
CT File Photo by Andrew Hill.
Devynn Alston, Contributing Writer
VCU women’s basketball just released its non-conference schedule. With an almost completely new team, it is more important than ever for them to gel together. These matchups will give a glimpse into how well the new and returning Rams can work as a unit.
Here are a few notable games that will impact VCU’s season.
VCU at Villanova University (Nov. 9)
Toronto, Canada, will host VCU and Villanova as a neutral site for both teams. They last played each other in the 2024 Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament, where Villanova beat VCU 75-60 to end its historic season. In the upcoming matchup, both teams will have extremely different rosters from when they last competed. The Wildcats finished the season with a 21-15 record last year, losing in the WBIT semifinals. The coming game will be an early test for the Rams to see how they perform against a team with more chemistry.
VCU vs. Howard University (Nov. 17)
VCU will host Howard for its third matchup in three years. The two teams played each other last season, with VCU winning 72-48. Having added both new players and assistant coaches, the Bison look to be power players in the coming year. They ended their season last year with a 22-12 record. This game will be on for the Rams to gauge where they stand for the season.
VCU at Texas A&M University (Nov. 22)
VCU will travel to O’ahu, Hawaii to play against Texas A&M. The Aggies will face the Rams for the first time in program history at the North Shore Showcase. The Aggies’ 10-19 record made them the worst team in the Southeastern Conference last season, but playing a member of a Power Six conference will prepare the Rams for many matches to come.
VCU at Pennsylvania State University (Dec. 20)
VCU will face off against Big Ten member Penn State in the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic. It has been about a decade since these two teams played each other, when VCU took the victory 82-52. The face-off will be the second time the teams have matched up during coach Beth O’Boyle’s era, and winning against another Power Six opponent will only bolster the Rams’ non-conference resume.
The Rams won the A-10 tournament in 2021 to mark their spot in March Madness, but have not been able to secure a conference title since. If they can come out victorious during these four matches, the Rams will stand a much better chance once the postseason rolls around.
