VCU silences doubters and the next step
VCU basketball deserves a personal apology from ESPN and others, but they likely do not care after defeating the University of Southern California 59-46. Next up: Georgetown.
VCU basketball deserves a personal apology from ESPN and others, but they likely do not care after defeating the University of Southern California 59-46. The game started late and was the fourth of the new “first four” part of the NCAA tournament. 10,192 basketball fans cheered on as two teams with vastly different styles fought for the right to play Georgetown on Friday. While VCU and USC did not have large followings, the VCU pep band and the fans that travelled were rowdy.
VCU and USC are complete opposites. VCU is a veteran team that often utilizes ten different players in a game. USC uses six players. VCU is guard-oriented and uses a full court press from the tip-off to the buzzer. USC has two 6’-10” forwards that are rebounding monsters. VCU is ranked 301st in the country in rebounding.
At the game’s end, VCU had outrebounded USC 40-31. Bradford Burgess’ ten rebounds led the Rams and his five offensive rebounds helped VCU get 17 offensive boards to USC’s five. At times he was defending future NBA prospect, Nikola Vucevic, and winning despite a 4-inch size differential.
At the half, after 20 minutes of USC style basketball, the game was tied 22-22. VCU accelerated the tempo in the second half by making it rain 3-pointers; forcing turnovers; and, most importantly, forcing USC into foul trouble. With eight minutes remaining the score was 44-43 VCU, but USC had the ball. USC’s six-man rotation was then tested and failed as three players fouled out and one player finished with four fouls. VCU exploded, and eight minutes later at the buzzer the score was 59-46. This was by far VCU’s most impressive defensive showing all year.
Coach Shaka Smart seriously elevated his coaching at the start of March against Drexel in the CAA tournament. At 33, he is the second youngest Division I basketball head coach and his players are executing his game plans better than ever. His addition of seven-foot freshman DJ Haley to the starting line up has done several things. With a powerful rebounder on offense, Jamie Skeen has shot more threes. By adding Skeen to three-point weapons Joey Rodriguez, Brandon Rozzell, Ed Nixon, Rob Brandenberg and Bradford Burgess, several shooters can have bad days and VCU can still win. With a larger body in the lane, VCU has utilized several different defenses including a zone.
In the second half Wednesday night, VCU started breaking away. They shifted into a zone defense for the final eight minutes, and USC, with limited shooting weapons, was forced to drive to the basket.
Recently VCU has shown a commitment to attacking the hoop and forcing their opponents into foul trouble. VCU has won three of their last four games. In the wins, eight players have fouled out for the opposition while no one fouled out in their loss against Old Dominion University.
After the game, Coach Smart expressed his belief in the advantage of the play-in game. 60 teams in the tournament will have jitters going into their games but now VCU is experienced and has proven they can win on this stage.
The next step
VCU plays Georgetown on Friday at 9:50pm at the United Center in Chicago. Chris Wright, one of Georgetown’s talented guards, after missing three games to an injury is expected to play after practicing this week. Without their starting point guard the Hoyas have looked lost on the court losing their last four games of the season.
After being entirely overlooked and insulted for their tournament selection, VCU should not be overlooked in this game. Even if Wright returns, with his non-shooting hand broken and after missing several games he will likely not be 100-percent. His presence is essential for the success of the Hoya’s Princeton-style offense.
If VCU forces turnovers and makes their shots, they will spend time in transition and have the ability to run their “havoc” defense. If they do this and maintain an up-tempo game, then they will win. Be sure to tune in and watch. Win or lose, VCU always puts on a show.
-
Recommend this
on Facebook -
Report an error
-
Subscribe to our
Weekly Digest
Aaron Williams
Aaron Williams loves music, basketball (follow @rvaramnews!), family, learning, and barbecue sauce.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. VCU didn’t silence anything by beating USC, because USC didn’t belong in the tournament either.
I am still a doubter and I will not be silenced!
Justin,
No one cares what you said or when you said it. VCU won after pundits all over the nation specifically criticized the committee for selecting them. That’s what this article is about, not the fact you’re upset your team didn’t get in. Get over it.
John,
Pundits all over the nation specifically criticized the committee for thinking VCU was better than Colorado, Virginia Tech, and St. Mary’s. Those pundits also thought Colorado, Virginia Tech, and St. Mary’s was better than USC. This article states that by beating USC, VCU silenced those people. There is no way that a win over USC proves anything about VCU’s relative quality vs. the three teams that deserved to be in over them.
St. Marys lost in the first round of the NIT to Kent St……If the final of the NIT is Virginia Tech vs. Colorado and VCU loses today maybe you have a point Justin; however, they did silence the critics… Are Bilas and Vitale still ranting on ESPN?…..NO.
Very true, shutting one’s mouth is the definition of being silenced. Any comments about the Georgetown game, Justin?
I live in richmond Va …. i would love for justin ta be there and run his mouth like that after a game with all of them rams fans and than have to walk down a richmond street i dnt thnk it would end good for u there budy …