VCU Rams wreak havoc and get revenge

Last season, VCU led UAB by nine points with only two minutes to go before collapsing and losing 68-65. This season, VCU broke away and never looked back as they handled UAB 68-49 in the Sigel Center last night.

December 21, 2011; 7:31 AM • by Aaron Williams

Last season, VCU led UAB by nine points with only two minutes to go before collapsing and losing 68-65. This season, VCU broke away and never looked back as they handled UAB 68-49 in the Sigel Center last night.

Since 1999, the Siegel Center has been the toughest place to play in the CAA and one of the toughest places to play in the country. After the Final Four run, the fans have taken it to another level. Tuesday night, despite the semester being over, VCU tied the CAA record for consecutive sell-outs at nine. Every Shaka Smart press conference this season has started the same way, “I sound like a broken record, but the crowd was phenomenal tonight.”

Because of the crowd intensity, the Blazers looked lost on the court. Early in the game, they were able to penetrate and put in a few dunks, but the duo of junior Darius Theus and freshman Briante Weber disrupted UAB’s offense to the point of disfunction. After a weak start to the season, the Rams “havoc” defense is starting to function and, by design, it is destroying the psyche of their opponents.

NBA prospect and Conference USA preseason player of the year, Cameron Moore, looked frustrated and out of control as he was limited to only seven points. Ovie Soko, the Blazers most successful offensive threat (10 points) fouled out on an offensive foul and, in a moment of immaturity, played along with the student section as they chanted “sit down.”

Ram of the Game: Juvonte Reddic

In the first game of the season, sophomore Juvonte Reddic dropped 19 points and showed Ramnation that he was going to be a leader for the Rams. Gradually the hype wore off as his production slumped against the more physically talented teams in the Charleston Classic. But, Reddic is back! Averaging 17 points and 7.5 rebounds in the past two games, Reddic looks poised to produce during CAA play. In this game he spent a lot of minutes matched up against Cameron Moore, which proves he is capable of winning physical battles.

Shooting 8-9 from the field with a nice balance between mid range jumpers and dunks, Reddic showed that he has the skills to be the best true post player for the Rams since Larry Sanders. Coach Shaka Smarts only complaint: he should have taken more shots.

Treveon Graham

In the first eight games of the season, Treveon Graham shot 3-23 from the field and looked like a true freshman. In the past three games, after gaining some confidence, Graham is shooting 15-26 from the field with 40 points and 13 rebounds. Last week, Treveon Graham was selected as CAA rookie of the week. Graham has the body and range of Bradford Burgess, and his development has undoubtedly help the Rams win their last five games.

5 stats

• 7,617–The number of seats in the Siegel Center. Tuesday night VCU tied the CAA record for consecutive sell-outs at nine.
• Because of VCU’s havoc defense, the Rams took 14 more shots than the Blazers–despite losing the battle on the offensive boards.
• In their past five games, VCU has forced 96 turnovers while only giving the ball up 45 times.
• In their past five games, VCU has won by an average margin of 18.8 points.
• Despite the extremely physical play, VCU took zero free throws in the first half.

Bradford Burgess Record Watch

• With his 121st start, Burgess tied Michael Brown for the consecutive starts record as a Ram.
• With 177 made three-pointers, Burgess moved into 5th all-time for the Rams.

Looking forward

On Thursday, the Rams travel to face UNC-Greensboro at 7pm. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

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December 21, 2011 7:31 AM 0