What to expect: Stetson Hatters visit VCU

The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams face their second of three Atlantic Sun Conference opponents, Stetson University, Wednesday night in the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

November 28, 2012; 9:16 AM • by Aaron Williams

• What: VCU (3-3, 0-0) vs. Stetson (2-2, 0-0)
• Where: Stuart C. Siegel Center
• When: Wednesday, November 28th at 7:30 PM
• Watch: CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206 & FiOS 466) and Online ($)
• Listen: Ram Radio

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The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams face their second of three Atlantic Sun Conference opponents, Stetson University, Wednesday night in the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

The Rundown

Stetson University makes up for its lack of tradition in basketball, with a history of hats. The “Hatters” and mascot “John B.” earn their name from famous hat maker John B. Stetson. Originally known as DeLand University, the private school changed its name to Stetson in 1899 after significant contributions from the hat manufacturer.

After a grueling weekend, the Rams return to RVA after playing three games in three days against three ranked opponents. VCU went 1-2 over the weekend with a win against #19 Memphis and losses against #5 Duke, and #13 Missouri. The two losses were close games and Coach Shaka Smart left the Bahamas with plenty of teachable moments. After leaving tons of points and even a few wins at the charity stripe, the most important lesson for the season has to be free-throws.

Free-throws will probably be of little importance Wednesday against Stetson’s soft defense. The Rams are heavy favorites to improve to 4-3 in comfortable confines of their home arena.

The Team

Stetson is the 26th fastest team in the nation and their offense is driven by 3-point attempts. The Hatters shoot efficiently and don’t turn the ball over frequently, but they have yet to play against a defense like VCU’s.

For all of their skills on offense, Stetson ranks 241st nationally in defensive efficiency. Because they’re undersized, they struggle with rebounding and their opponents shoot a high percentage. VCU’s only opponent so far this season that is defensively comparable to Stetson is Winthrop, and the Rams scored 90 points against the Eagles.

The Star

Adam Pegg is an extremely versatile 6-foot-9 senior that is coming off of a one game suspension for a flagrant foul against Southeastern. In only 24MPG of action, he is averaging 18.3PPG, 6RPG, and 2APG. He is 5-9 from 3-point range and he is shooting .615 from the field on the season.

A Delaware transfer, Pegg has experience playing against VCU. In four games from 2008-10, Pegg averaged 2PPG and 2.75RPG in 18.25MPG of action.

The Prediction

Like a baseball player removing a donut from a bat on the way to the plate, VCU will flourish without the resistance of top-25 competition. HAVOC! will dominate as Darius Theus and Briante Weber guard players not named Quinn Cook or Phil Pressey. Ken Pomeroy predicts VCU to win 83-63 with a 94% chance of victory. A twenty point victory is reasonable, but VCU should aim to limit the Hatters to under 60 points.

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Stetson Profile

• Location: DeLand, Florida
• Enrollment: 2,776
• Conference: Atlantic Sun Conference

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November 28, 2012 9:16 AM 4