A view of Welsh-Ryan Arena from the upper deck looking at a slash angle.A view of Welsh-Ryan Arena from the upper deck looking at a slash angle.
Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics

Northwestern to Face Virginia Tech, Dayton at 2026 Shriners Children's Charleston Classic

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Northwestern will face Virginia Tech and Dayton at the 2026 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic on Nov. 20 and 22 at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C., the event announced Thursday morning.

The Wildcats will play the Hokies on Friday, Nov. 20, with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2. On Sunday, Nov. 22, Northwestern will take on perennial A10 contender Dayton at noon CT on ESPN2.

NU’s first matchup pits two previous winners of the MTE against one another. The ’Cats won the tournament in 2011 and Virginia Tech did so in 2018. This marks the second all-time matchup between the two schools, with Northwestern capturing an 81-79 overtime victory over the Hokies in their first clash on Dec. 1, 2015, in Blacksburg, Va.

Current assistant coach Bryant McIntosh recorded a team-high 19 points in Northwestern’s win at Cassell Coliseum.

📹 Highlights - Last Time vs. Virginia Tech

The Wildcats and the Flyers have faced off on three occasions, with Northwestern holding a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series. In the teams’ last two meetings, Northwestern won 71-66 in 2023, while Dayton prevailed by the same score the following season in Dayton. The two matched up on a neutral floor on Dec. 17, 2016, at the United Center in Chicago — a 67-64 win for the ’Cats.

Tickets are now available for the 2026 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic HERE.