Not their night

Frown, frown. The state teams went 0-2 on Wednesday.

West Virginia 64, Radford 28: Highlanders shoot 16 percent. Mountaineers shoot 51 percent. Let's hope Radford gets that first victory Sunday when it hosts Southern Virginia.

East Carolina 88, VCU 85: Rams roar back from a 20-point second-half deficit and close to within one, but can't recover from La'Tavia Rorie being calledfor an intentional foul with 1:02 left. Bows to D'Andra Moss for her 27 points and credit to the Rams for not giving up when this one looked over. It's the first loss for VCU (3-1), which can't let teams shoot 78 percent in any half.

Thursday's action

Purdue (3-3) at Virginia (5-1), Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 7 p.m.
No offense to either of the conferences involved, but why is there such a thing as the Big Ten/ACC Challenge? Is there anyone out going, gee, I wonder which conference is better? And even if such a person exists, does this "challenge" provide an answer? The men have one of these, too, but theirs is a made-for-TV event. The women's games aren't on TV. So what's the point? As for the game, graduation losses have gutted the perennial NCAA qualifying Boilermakers in the post. They still have one of the best 3-point shooters in the country in Jodie Howell, but she can't take down UVa. by herself. Virginia 78, Purdue 65

Michigan (4-2) at Virginia Tech (4-2), Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 7 p.m.
Michigan is clearly in a rebuilding mode; the Wolverines start two freshmen and bring four others off the bench. Still, this is a nice chance to make a statement for the Hokies, who after feasting on overmatched foes at Cassell Coliseum get to test themselves in their own gym against a "name" opponent. Tech fans should want to see this; get there early and you can even pick up a T-shirt. Virginia Tech 77, Michigan 72

Richmond (5-2) at William and Mary (4-2), 7 p.m.
Richmond acts as though it never left the CAA, as this is the fourth Colonial opponent on the schedule so far, and a fifth will come Sunday when the Spiders visit VCU. Richmond is capable of some white-hot shooting performances, yet the Spiders can also endure games when they can't hit the floor with their hats. If this is one of those nights, the Tribe are capable of posting a hey-look-at-us victory. Otherwise, well, we love the Tribe's young players, but we suspect this group is a year away from prevailing at this level. Richmond 68, William and Mary 63