What to expect: VCU looks to win 11th straight against arch-rival ODU

Even in a “down year” for ODU and a “rebuilding year” for VCU, both teams find themselves in the top tier of the CAA. This is what a rivalry is supposed to be: two physical teams fighting for CAA titles and bragging rights all at the same time.

February 10, 2012; 9:18 AM • by Aaron Williams

• What: VCU Rams (21-5, 12-2) visit the ODU Monarchs (16-10, 11-3)
• Where:Ted Constant Convocation Center
• When: Saturday, February 11th at 2:00pm
• Watch:The Comcast Network, ODU Athletics
• Listen: 107.3 or Online

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The Rundown

Even in a “down year” for ODU and a “rebuilding year” for VCU, both teams find themselves in the top tier of the CAA. This is what a rivalry is supposed to be: two physical teams fighting for CAA titles and bragging rights all at the same time.

VCU drew first blood this year beating ODU 61-48 on January 21st in Richmond. VCU is trying to win the season series for the first time since 2009 and if history tells us anything, it’s that a VCU-ODU matchup will happen in the CAA tournament.

VCU enters the game with an effective field goal percentage of 47.2% while ODU’s is even lower at 45.3%. Saturday’s game won’t be pretty on the offensive end, but VCU and ODU are not strangers to low scoring games. Whichever team hits the important shots will likely walk away winners.

The Team

ODU’s out of conference record is a little misleading. The Monarchs always play a very tough pre-conference schedule, and many of those games happened when Senior Kent Bazemore was not at full strength due to surgery to fix a stress fracture in his left foot.

While ODU leaves a lot to be desired on offense, they are a great defensive team. Their ability to force turnovers and rebound the basketball is extremely impressive. Juvonte Reddic, DJ Haley, and Bradford Burgess all need to impose a physical presence early in the game to help the Rams limit second chance points on defense.

The Star

After averaging 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.2 steals in his 2011 campaign, senior guard Kent Bazemore was selected as the CAA defensive player of the year and the 2012 CAA preseason player of the year. In 2012, Kent Bazemore’s production is up (13.5PPG, 5.3RPG, 3.2APG, 2.1SPG) and he is a serous contender for the CAA Player of the Year award.

The Prediction

Ken Pomeroy picks VCU to win 59-58 with a 51% chance of victory. With VCU on the road, the matchup is dead even.

ODU Profile

• Location: Norfolk, VA
• Conference: CAA
• All time series:VCU leads 44-42
• Last meeting: VCU won 61-48 in Richmond.

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Related

• “Rockstar” Rams Romp ODU

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February 10, 2012 9:18 AM 0