Schedule from VaTech? Check.

Clever scheduling by Virginia Tech coach Beth Dunkenberger. Sure, there aren't too many heavyweights on tap, but given that the Hokies needed a late surge to finish as a .500 team a year ago, this isn't a group that needed to go looking for too much trouble yet.

Furthermore, the best teams on Tech's non-conference schedule are usually preceded by one or more less daunting foes. In other words, the set-up should allow the Hokies to play their way up to their biggest tests. Perhaps the best team on Tech's schedule, for example, is Vanderbilt, whom the Hokies could meet in the final of Tech's own tournament. But before they potentially see the Commodores, they'll definitely see Alcorn State (8-20). Before Robert Morris (23-9, WNIT) comes Winthrop (13-18). And before VCU (23-9, WNIT 3rd round) comes Elon (12-19).

In fact, Tech's first three games - against Presbyterian (5-25), Wofford (8-21) and Elon, all at home - can kind of be looked at as one big lead-in to their first big test against the Rams. And we're not even that sure about the Rams, as they suffered heavy graduation losses and earlier this week learned that one of their starting guards is out for possibly the entire season with an Achilles injury. VCU does have an intriguing cast of newcomers, but can this group come together by Nov. 21?