The VCU Rams outpace W&M

After losing consecutive games in the beginning of January to conference foes Drexel and Georgia State, the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams have won eight straight. Wednesday night William & Mary connected on twelve three-pointers, but VCU’s offense led the Rams to an 87-78 victory in Williamsburg to help the Rams move into first place in the CAA.

February 2, 2012; 9:19 AM • by Aaron Williams

After losing consecutive games in the beginning of January to conference foes Drexel and Georgia State, the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams have won eight straight. Wednesday night William & Mary connected on twelve three-pointers, but VCU’s offense led the Rams to an 87-78 victory in Williamsburg to help the Rams move into first place in the CAA.

Recap

Troy Daniels hit his first of four three-pointers on the first possession of the game before the Rams fell behind 12-5. After starting the game on the bench, freshman Treveon Graham and sophomore Rob Brandenberg entered the game and sparked a 14-0 run by the Rams. After only eight minutes of gameplay the Rams never forfeited the lead.

W&M freshman Marcus Thornton led all scorers with an impressive 28 points. Despite Thornton’s output, the rest of the Tribe couldn’t score enough or get enough stops and keep the game close. VCU limited preseason first-team all-CAA member Quinn McDowell to eight points on 2-7 shooting.

After struggling through the first portion of 2012, Rob Brandenberg has scored forty points in the past three games. Brandenberg looked confident as he avoided the three point shot and used his athleticism to get in the lane to score and draw fouls. Several times he used his speed in transition to simply run around the defense and catch W&M off guard. The Rams are 12-1 when Brandenberg attempts more 2-point shots than 3-point shots. Additionally, Brandenberg took at least half of his shots from range in four of the Rams five losses. If Brandenberg continues to play like Wednesday night, the Rams lagging offense will definitely begin to improve.

Player of the Game

In the two games against William & Mary this season, sophomore forward Juvonte Reddic tallied 48 points, 13 rebounds, and seven steals while shooting 66.6% and only turning the ball over three times. Reddic’s skill and athleticism were simply too much for William & Mary’s Tim Rusthoven to handle. Reddic alternated between strong post moves, mid range jumpers, and even the fast break as he kept the Tribe’s defense on its heels. Reddic is quickly turning into one of the best players in the CAA, and he is one of the few Rams that can truly take over a game.

5 stats

  • Wednesday night was Coach Shaka Smart’s 100th game as the Rams head coach. (74-26)
  • This is the first season the Rams have ever posted two separate winning streaks of 8+ games.
  • The Rams 87 points tied their season high.
  • After suffering what will likely be the worst slump of his career, sophomore Rob Brandenberg scored a 2012-high 17 points.
  • The Rams allowed a season-high 78 points fueled by W&M’s season-high twelve three-pointers.

Looking forward

The Rams look to make it nine consecutive Ws as they host the Northeastern Huskies on Saturday. Saturdays sold-out basketball is a White Out so wear your best white Ram gear.

  • Saturday February 4th. 7pm. Northeastern (11-11, 7-5). Stuart C. Siegel Center.

Around the Conference

The CAA leading George Mason Patriots lost to Delaware on Wednesday night creating a three way tie between GMU, Drexel and VCU.

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Related

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Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams loves music, basketball (follow @rvaramnews!), family, learning, and barbecue sauce.

February 2, 2012 9:19 AM 1

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