Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Game 10: VCU 82, East Carolina 74


Late Surge Lifts Rams to Victory
@ the Siegel
Box Score

Brandon Rozzell's 3-pointer with 2:29 gave Virginia Commonwealth a two-point lead and keyed a 9-0 run as the Rams outlasted East Carolina 82-74 on Tuesday night in front of a crowd of 7,124 at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

The game featured 13 ties and 22 lead changes and neither team could produce a double-digit lead. VCU used a 19-5 run over the final six minutes to erase a six point Pirate lead.

The Rams held East Carolina to just one field goal in the final 7:46.

Junior Larry Sanders led the way with a career-high 23 points, along with nine rebounds and four blocks. Joey Rodriguez had a season-high 19 points and Brandon Rozzell added 15.

Richmond Native Jamar Abrams scored a career-high 26 points for the Pirates. The junior from Highland Springs High went 10-for-15 from the field and 5-for-8 on 3-point attempts.

VCU begins CAA play Saturday against the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington. Tip-off at the Siegel Center is set for 2 p.m.


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

VCU Welcomes the Pirates of ECU


After a 9 day layoff VCU is back in action tonight when it faces the Pirates of East Carolina.

ECU is 5-7 overall and has lost 4 of its last 5 contests including a heartbreaking overtime loss to George Washington last Tuesday.

ECU returns seven scholarship lettermen from last year’s 13-17 team, including three players with 24 or more starts.

The Pirates are lead by a trio of scorers. Junior Brock Young averages 15.5 points per game while Junior Jontae Sherrod averages 13.0 and Sophmore Darrius Morrow 12.2 points per game to go with his 6.8 boards a contest.

A year ago the Pirates were a perimeter oriented team, setting school records for three-point field goals made and attempted.

As a team ECU is shooting 44.4 percent from the field this season, including a 33.2 percent from 3-point range. The Pirates defense is allowing opponents 76.0 points per game while only scoring 71.2 points per.

VCU (7-2, 0-1 CAA) has won four of its last five games, including a 78-77 nail bitter against Tulane on December 19. The lone loss during that stretch was by one point in a conference game at William & Mary.

Tonight’s game also marks the return of former VCU head coach Mack McCarthy. Coach Mack compiled a 66-55 record in four seasons as head coach of the Rams from 1998-2002.

He's 1-0 against his former team as coach of the Pirates after last season's 93-90 overtime in Greenville. VCU leads the all-time series, 15-7.

The game will be broadcasted live on the VCU Athletics website.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Eric Maynor Traded to OK City

Oklahoma City Thunder announced today that the team has acquired guard Eric Maynor from the Utah Jazz in exchange for the draft rights to Peter Fehse. The Thunder also assume the contract of forward Matt Harpring.

Maynor figures to take over as the backup point guard position for Oklahoma City who waived guards Shaun Livingston and Mike Wilks as part of the overall deal.

The 20th overall pick in this year's draft, Maynor currently ranks fourth in assists, 19th in steals and 24th in scoring among NBA Rookies.

The Thunder are 1-4 over their last 5 games and are currently in fourth place, 5 games behind Denver in the Northwest Division. Oklahoma City is 2 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Game 9: VCU 78, Tulane 77

VCU too much for the Green Wave
@ Fogelman Arena, New Orleans
Box Score

The Virginia Commonwealth University men’s basketball team survived a late Tulane surge and claimed a 78-77 road victory at Fogelman Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams built a 17-point lead with 11 minutes to go in the second half behind a defensive effort that forced six turnovers in the first four minutes of the period.

However, Tulane would make a defensive switch to a 2-3 zone which caused match up problems for VCU and ignited a 13-4 to closeout the game.

The Green Wave got the VCU lead to just one point with 1:28 left, but could not overtake the Rams.

Junior Larry Sanders led the way for VCU with 16 points and nine rebounds, just one rebound short of his fifth-straight double-double. Sophomore Bradford Burgess was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field for 11 points.

Junior Jamie Skeen chipped in 10 points in his first appearance for the Rams after transferring from Wake Forrest. 





The Green Wave had four players in double-figures led by Aaron Holmes who registered a double-double with a career high 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rams improve to 7-2 overall and 0-1 in CAA play.

VCU returns to action on Dec. 29 when they take on the Pirates of East Carolina in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off at the Siegel Center.

VCU takes on the Green Wave of Tulane

While Richmonders find themselves blanketed by a foot of snow the Rams are prepping for this afternoon’s match up with Tulane in the spring like temperatures of New Orleans.

Tulane (3-6) will try to snap a three game losing streak when they host VCU for a 1 p.m. tip in Fogelman Arena.

The Green Wave has lost to New Orleans, Western Kentucky and McNeese State over the last three contests. However, they own key wins over Penn State and rival CAA member George Mason.

Junior Kris Richard and senior Kevin Sims lead the way for Tulane. Richards averages 13.8 points per game, while 2010 Bob Cousy Award Candidate Sims is scoring 12.4 points per outing for the Green Wave.

As a team Tulane is shooting 40.3 percent from the field, including a 38.5 percent from 3-point range. Tulane's defense is holding opponents to 63.2 points per game, forcing 15.7 turnovers and collecting 7.4 steals per contest.

VCU (6-2, 0-1 CAA) has won three of its last four games, including a 65-57 victory at home to cross-town rival Richmond. The lone loss during that stretch was by one point in a conference game at William & Mary.

This will be the 13th meeting between the two former Metro Conference foes. Tulane is 11-1 in the series, including a 4-1 mark in games played in Fogelman Arena. The teams have not met since a 76-72 Tulane win on Nov. 27, 2001 in Richmond, Va.

The Game will be broadcasted live on ESPN 950.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Game 8: VCU 65, Richmond 57

Bragging Rights!
@ the Seigel
Box Score

In a game that lived up to its name Virginia Commonwealth defeated the University of Richmond 65-57 Saturday night to capture the Black and Blue Classic for the sixth consecutive year.

The Spiders came out hungry and dominated the first half behind senior David Gonzalvez who scored 12 of his 19 points in the opening frame.

The Rams had no answer for Gonzalvez and the Spiders stingy defense, which held VCU to an abysmal 29.2% shooting from the floor and just 1-10 from behind the arc in the first half.

Senior TJ Gwynn was the lone bright spot for the Rams scoring 12 points in the first half on 5-9 shooting keeping the game close for the VCU.

Richmond would led by as many as 12 points before going into halftime with a 29-20 lead.

The final twenty minutes would prove to be a reversal of fortunes for VCU who opened up the second half with a 19-4 run. Terrance Santil scored all seven of his points during the rally pushing the Rams to a 39-33 lead with 13:43 to go in the game.

From there the Rams turned up the defensive intensity holding Richmond to 11-of-31 shooting and to just two field goals over the final 6:38.

Senior TJ Gwynn finished with a career high 20 points and teammate Larry Sanders registered his fourth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 13 boards for the Rams.

David Gonzalvez scored 19 points and Kevin Anderson added another 18 points and 3 assists in a loosing effort for the Spiders.

VCU improves to 6-2 overall and 0-1 in CAA. Richmond falls to 6-2 on the year.

The Rams return to action next Saturday when they take on the Green Wave of Tulane in New Orleans. Tip is set for 2 p.m.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

LIVE BLOG from Press Row!!!

45 mins before tip: I just got to my assigned seat and I only have one word....SICK!

36 mins until tip: The Spiders are doing their warm ups and the fans are all over them when they miss a layups/dunks. By the way, how can you miss a dunk in warmups?

30 mins until tip: Its a Black Out in the student section. Most of the paying crowd has yet to filter in. Lets hope they got the memo and wear black.

27 mins until tip: Here come the Rams!

20 mins until tip: Santil has the sickest all yellow Hyperdunks on.

17:53 mins before tip: Joey's warmup shirt has "No Excuses" on the back. Hopefully, he wont need any tonight.

12:00 mins until tip: All the white dudes on U of R tuck in their warmups. The U of R student reporters sitting next to me believe VCU doesn't have team unity based on the simple fact that the Spiders are all wearing the same shoes while the Rams are wearing an assortment of colorful Nikes. This is going to be a long 12 minutes.

11 mins to go until tip: Rams are headed back to the locker room.

8 mins until tip: The Siegel is filling up. The National Anthem was off the hook. The teams should be coming out any moment now.

4 mins until tip: Here come the Spiders. VCU's student section is all over them.

2:20 until tip: Here come the Rams as the crowd roars!

Here come the intros...Dan Geriot is a punk.

Its standing room only and the Seigel is shaking!

20:00 Richmond takes the tip and draws first blood. Larry answers with a quick bucket inside.

17:00 on the clock: 5 All. The U of R guys next to me are proclaiming Dan Geriot as the next Pittsnoggle. Ladies and gentlemen, your Richmond Spiders! I can't make this stuff up if I try. Back to the game. It looks like Gavin is coming off the bench tonight.

15 mins to go in the first half and we are deadlocked at 5. Both teams are playing incredible defense.

12:28 Gonzalves is a one man wreaking crew for the Spiders. The last three UofR offensive positions have gone like this: Gonvalves three, Gonzalves jumper just inside the line and a Gonzalves steal and layup. Timeout VCU. UofR up 14-7.

10 mins to go. UofR 16, VCU 11. Both teams are running up and down the court and playing tremendous perimeter defense.

7:07 Rams down 20-13. Larry is coming back in after a brief rest. With Larry out Richmond was having their way inside.

6:33 The crowd gives a standing O for Santil who enters the game... oh wait that was for Larry has he takes another breather with 2 fouls. On a side note. I get a stat sheet ever 5 minutes. Now if I could just get a beer.

5:21 Rams down 23-15. The Spiders seem like the hungrier team at this point. They are out hustling the Rams to every loose ball and are contesting ever shot. The one bright spot for the Rams is TJ Gwynn. He has 7 of VCU's first 15 and is our only presence in the paint.

4:45 The Rams are throwing a block party. Santil just swatted a Spider layup attempt igniting an unsuccessful break. The Rams have 7 blocks in the first half. Larry has 4 of those.

4:30 The Refs are clamping down on this game after an unassuming altercation between Butler and Gwynn. The Rams have lost the last three offense positions to tick-tack fouls. Rams are down 25-15.

3:13 Bronx cheer for the refs after VCU finally gets a call to go their way. VCU down 27-15.

Random side notes: Joey is a broken ankle waiting to happen. He is wearing a low top Nike Air Force One.

1:40 TJ Gwynn continues to be the one shining star for the rams inside. The rest of the team cant cut through the Spider defense.

1:09 Another bucket for TJ inside this one draws a foul. TJ hits the freebee and cuts the UofR lead to 7. VCU down 27-20.

The Halftime Buzzer sounds and its 29-20 UofR. The Rams head into the locker room down 9 but may have stolen a little of the momentum from the Spiders. TJ Gwynn leads the way for the Rams with 12. David Gonzalvez has 12 at the break to lead the Spiders.

Halftime goodies! All the soda and water I can drink! No bathroom in sight though.

More halftime stats: TJ Gwynn is 5-9 from the floor. The rest of the Rams are a combined 2-15. The Spiders shot 46.4% from the floor and 42.9% from behind the arc. The Rams shot an abysmal 29.2% from the floor and were just 1-10 from behind the arc.

20:00 The Second Half is underway. Richmond ball to start the second.

19:20 Joey start its off for Rams with a baseline layup. Followed by a steal. Dan Geriot cant handle TJ's quickness inside and fouls him on the shot attempt. He sink both free throws and the Rams cut the lead to 29-24.

18:24 David Gonzalvez continues his dominance over the Rams cutting through the lane and drawing a trip to the line. He cans both freethrows and puts the Spiders back up 7.

17:27 its coast to coast action for both teams. The Spiders and Rams unable to convert fast break layups. UofR up 33-26.

16:26 Terrance Santil is playing like a man on fire. He wants the ball inside and is going to the rim strong. He earns a trip to the line and hits both. On the ensuing trip down the floor he gets a block and puts in a layup at the other end. Rams are within 3. 33-30.

15:28 Easy Ed gets a steal and is fouled on the break. The Crowd is alive and the Seigel is shaking. Timeout UofR!

15:28 Santil cans both free throws and VCU comes out in the press. Richmond is clinging to a 1 point lead. This roof is coming off if we get a stop here.

14:25 Another Santil bucket and the foul! VCU takes it's first lead since the opening minutes. 45-33.

14:04 Tech on Mooney! The crowd is going nuts. Joey makes both free throws. Rams ball up 37-33.

13:34 Timeout Richmond. Mooney is trying to slow the Rams momentum and quiet the rockus crowd. VCU up 39-33.

13:25 Santil gets a standing ovation has he takes a breather after picking up his third foul. Lets see if Larry can keep it going inside for the Rams.

12:20 Gonzalvez nails a three on the curl and Dan Geriot adds a fastbreak layup to put UofR back up 40-39. The Spiders are showing tremendous poise right now. VCU clearly has the momentum and the crowd.

Ever wonder if the ref can hear you when you tell them much the enjoyed the previous evening with their mother? They can. Clearly.

10:00 both teams have settled into their half court sets. The Spiders continue to cling to a one point lead 44-43. More importantly they seemed to have weathered the storm. The crowd has quieted.

8:39 The Spiders continue to pound it inside and it seems to be working. There has been a Larry Sanders sighting! The Condor gets low post bucket to cut the Spider lead back to one. 46-45.

8:05 Santil is back in the game. Lets see if he can keep it going.

7:19 The Spiders and Rams trade three pointers. The Spiders are up 51-48.

6:09 Following an Anderson drive and lay up to put Richmond up 5. Larry answers for the Rams to cut the Spider lead back to 3. UofR 53-50.

House of Pain over the PA. Please make it stop. This is killing out momentum.

4:47 Shaka Smart wants to pound it inside with Larry. It pays immediate dividends with a trip to the line. Larry misses the front end of the 1 and 1. The Spiders are still up 53-50.

4:21 Larry misses two more free throws.

3:39 After a Larry Sanders bucket in the paint. David Gonzalvez cuts to through the lane and gets another layup to put the Spider lead to three.

3:22 Rozzell ties the game at 55 with a three from the corner!

2:24 The Spiders have no answer for All American candidate Larry Sanders. He puts the Rams up 57-55.

1:37 Media Timeout. Both teams huddle up and make their last minute adjustments for the stretch run. Larry is on the sideline trying to get the Seigel Crowd going. The fans respond.

1:00 to go. VCU ball. Rozzell nails a three to put the Rams up 5. VCU is caught celebrating and Richmond gets a break away layup. VCU 60-57.

40.8 ticks on the clock. Richmond fouls TJ on the inbounds. Gwynn puts both shots through the net to extend the Ram lead to 62-57.

25.7 David Gonzalvez ari balls a three out of bounds and the Seigel Center crowd can sense victory.

25.2 I hear the clanging of keys as Joey misses the front end of the 1 and 1. Joey hits the second and puts VCU up 63-57.

16.7 Another miss by the Spiders and TJ is fouled again. Its all formalities at this point. TJ hits his 19 and 20th points to put VCU up for good!

ITS OVER!!!! VCU 57, Richmond 65.

Black and Blue All Over

Once again its time for the annual Black & Blue Classic! VCU will face off against its intracity rival the Richmond Spiders.

VCU has won the last five games in the series, including all four since Chris Mooney took over the head coaching duties at UR.

However, this will be the best Richmond squad that VCU has faced in recent years as the Spiders have won five straight and hold a 7-1 overall mark, matching the second-best start in program history.

Richmond has key wins over Mississippi State, Missouri and Old Dominion, the preseason favorite to win the CAA.

The Spiders are allowing just 58.1 points per game (24th in the nation) and opponents are shooting just 36 percent from the field(ninth in the nation).

The Rams (5-2) are coming off a six-day break. They are averaging 75.7 ppg, while allowing 69.4 ppg and shooting 43.8 percent from the field.

This is the 64th meeting between VCU and Richmond with the Rams holding a 39-24 edge in the head-to-head series.

Game time at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Holiday/Exam Week Get Up

Game 4: VCU 63, Hampton 52

11/23/2009
@ Hampton
Box Score

Playing in their third game in just six days, Virginia Commonwealth University grinded out a tough 63-52 road victory at Hampton University

Sophomore Bradford Burgess posted career-highs in points with 18 and rebounds with 10 and senior T.J. Gwynn grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds.

The Rams moved to 3-1 on the year, while the Pirates of Hampton fell to 0-3.

Game 5: VCU 85, Nevada 76

11/27/2009
@ The Siegel
Box Score

Behind 17 point efforts from Larry Sanders and Ed Nixon the Rams (4-1) upended a talented Wolfpack (2-2) squad to pick up a third straight victory and improve to 4-1 on the year.

Sanders registered his 15th career double-double, adding 14 rebounds to his 17-points.

Luke Babbitt was the game’s high scorer with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Joey Shaw and Brandon Fields added 14 and 13 respectively for Nevada.

Game 6: VCU 82, Rhode Island 80

12/2/2009
@ The Siegel
Box Score

The Rams (5-1) survive a late comaback and last second half court shot to upend Rhode Island (4-2) 82-80 at the Siegel Center.

Larry Sanders registered his second consecutive double-double with 19 points and 11 boards. Brandon Rozzell added a career-high 17 points off the bench and sophomore Bradford Burgess tallied double-figures for the fifth time this year with 16 points.

Will Martell led five URI players in double-figures with 18.

Game 7: VCU 74, W&M 75

12/5/2009
@ William and Larry
Box Score

A last second three-pointer by junior Ed Nixon fell short as the Rams lose to the Tribe of William & Mary, 75-74, in the CAA opener.

Nixon posted a second straight career-high with 18 points. Larry Sanders added his third consecutive double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

VCU falls to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in the CAA. W&M improves to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the CAA.

Monday, November 23, 2009

On the Road Again: VCU vs Hampton

The Rams (2-1) look to put together two straight wins Monday when they travel to Hampton, Virginia to take on the Pirates of Hampton University (0-2).

HU’s basketball program is coming off a tumultuous summer, which saw the hiring of first-year head coach Ed Joyner and the shocking death of senior captain Theo Smalling in an accidental shooting.

The Pirates are lead by a trio of seniors. Senior guard Vinny Simpson (11.7 points per game) and senior forward Mike Freeman (7.7 ppg) are the Pirates' two returning leading scorers while senior guard Jonathan Ntoko plays a supporting roll off the bench.

Hampton finished 2008-2009 with a 16-16, 8-8 MEAC record. They are picked by most experts to finish 8th in the MEAC this year.

Virginia Commonwealth won last year’s meeting against the Pirates 59-54.

Larry Sanders supplied a then career-high 21 points and 19 rebounds and scored two clutch buckets for VCU down the stretch.

The Rams are coming off an impressive victory against the 17th ranked Sooners of Oklahoma. It was the Rams first victory over a nationally ranked opponent since January 8, 1994 when 11th-ranked Louisville fell to VCU, 93-89, in overtime.

Game time at the Convocation Center is set for a 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Game 3: VCU 82, OU 69

Rams Spoil the Return of Former Head Coach Jeff Capel
11/21/2009
Richmond, VA
Box Score

Tonight marked the first time in the 10 year history of the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Siegel Center that a nationally-ranked opponent would square off against VCU. The Rams seizing on the moment did not disappoint.

Sophomore Jay Gavin scored 20 points and Larry Sanders added 17 has Virginia Commonwealth upset No. 17 Oklahoma 82-69 on Saturday night.

Keying off the sharp shooting of Gavin the Rams used a 20-8 spurt to take control of the game early in the first half. VCU hit six straight 3-pointers during the run. The Rams would never trail extending their lead by has many as 17 points.

The Rams stingy defense caused problems all night for preseason All-American candidate Willie Warren who was held to just 8 points and forced into 6 turnovers. Junior Ed Nixon who was chiefly responsible for guarding Warren also scored 10 points.

"Our intensity level was through the roof tonight,” added Jay Gavin. “We concentrated on defense for 40 minutes."

Senior Tony Crocker led the Sooners with 19 points and Tiny Gallon added 15. Preseason All-American point guard Willie Warren held to just 8 points and was forced into 6 turnovers.

The Rams return to action on Monday, November 23, when they travel to University of Hampton. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Virginia Commonwealth University won last year’s meeting against the Pirates 59-54.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Rams return to Action Saturday against Oklahoma

After serving four years as head coach, VCU will welcome back Jeff Capel on Saturday when his 17th ranked Oklahoma Sooners lock horns with the 1-1 Rams.

VCU will be looking to avenge last year’s 81-70 loss to then fourth-ranked Oklahoma in the All-College Classic.

Leading the way for OU will be sophomore All-America candidate Willie Warren and senior Tony Crocker. The back court duo combined for 70 starts last year .

Warren recorded seven games of at east 20 points as a freshman while Crocker finished with a game-high 26 points and hit 5-of-6 3-point attempts in last year’s meeting between the Rams and Sooners.

The Rams are coming off a tough loss to Western Michigan on Wednesday. Virginia Commonwealth led by has many as 17 points in the first half but struggled to score in the second half ultimately loosing the contest 83-67.

VCU will be looking for improved performances from Larry Sanders and Bradford Burgess who had career-highs in a losing effort for Virginia Commonwealth University last year.

As head coach of VCU, Capel recorded a 79-41 (.658) overall record and a 50-22 (.694) mark in Colonial Athletic Association play. His Rams boasted a 47-11 overall home record for a staunch .811 winning percentage.

In 2003-04, he guided VCU past George Mason in the CAA Tournament championship game catapulting the Rams to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996.

Oklahoma posted a 30-6 mark in 2008-09 and made the program's first Elite Eight showing since 2003.

Game time at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center is set for 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Game 2, WMU 83, VCU 67

Second Half Slow Down
11/18/2009
KALAMAZOO, Mich.
Box Score

Martelle McLemore had a game-high 22 points and David Kool had 17 as Western Michigan (1-1) rallied to beat VCU 83-67 Wednesday night.

Virginia Commonwealth led by has many as 17 points and had a 42-35 advantage at halftime but struggled to score in the second half. The Broncos took the lead during an 11-0 run midway through the second half.

Sophomore Bradford Burgess led Virginia Commonwealth (1-1) with 16 points. Brandon Rozell had 12 points and sophomore Jay Gavin added 10 for the Rams.

Preseason All-CAA First Team selection Larry Sanders, spent most of the night on the bench with foul trouble finishing with just 7 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes.

The Broncos also out-rebounded VCU, 29-12, in the second half and outscored the fast-paced Rams, 15-2, in second-chance points.

The Rams welcome home former head coach Jeff Capel on Saturday when they face off against 17th-ranked Oklahoma. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

VCU Squares Off Against WMU in First Road Game

Coming off a 77-51 win over Bethune-Cookman in the season opener the Rams will be on the road tonight when they square off against the Broncos of Western Michigan.

This marks the second straight year these two have met with the Broncos making the trip to Richmond last year. VCU won the contest, 79-62, behind Eric Maynor who registered 29 points and Kirill Pishchalnikov who registered his only career double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

The Broncos are coming off their second consecutive Mid-American Conference West championship.

Western Michigan returns 3 starters from a season ago, Academic All-America guard David Kool, MAC All-Freshman Team forward Flenard Whitfield and senior center Donald Lawson. The Broncos will also look to work five freshmen into their rotation.

The Broncos are lead by senior standout David Kool. Kool led the MAC with 17.9 points per game last season, 18.7 points per game in conference play, and was the first WMU player to lead the league in scoring since 1987.


In its history, the Black & Gold are 10-6 overall against the MAC with eight of those 10 wins coming against Akron (4-0 all-time) and Buffalo (4-0 all-time).

VCU went just 7-6 in road contests a season ago, including dropping three of its final four.

Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will broadcasted live here.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Game 1, VCU 77, Bethune-Cookman 51

J-Rod Runs the Show
11/13/2009
@ The Siegel
Box Score

Junior Joey Rodriguez led four players in double figures with 17 points and VCU routed the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman 77-51 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Larry Sanders had 12 points and six rebounds and transfer Jay Gavin had 12 points and Bradford Burgess added 10 points for the Rams.

VCU dominated the game and led by as many as 32 points in the second half. They were 11 of 24 from behind the three point line and hit 20 of 27 free throws.

The Rams defense pressed Bethune-Cookman into 20 turnovers and held the Wildcats to just 34.7 percent (17-for-49) from the floor.

C.J. Reed had 21 points for B-CU to lead all scorers. Alexander Starling added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats.

The Rams return to action next Wednesday when they head to Michigan to face Western Michigan. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Eric Maynor Gets First Career Start

With Deron Williams sidelined for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the duties as top point guard fell to rookie Eric Maynor.

In his first NBA start, Maynor had 13 points (6-of-14 FGs), four rebounds, and 11 assists in 36 minutes of work. Maynor had played only 31 minutes all season before this game.

The Jazz drafted Maynor, 22, in the first round (20th overall) of this year's draft. At VCU, he averaged 22.4 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game as a senior.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Ram's Open Season Friday Night Against Bethune-Cookman


The Rams will open up the 2009-10 campaign on Friday, when they host the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University. Game time at the Stuart C. Siegel Center is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Rams are coming off an impressive 85-55 victory over Division II Virginia Union University in the annual Downtown Showdown. VCU's new fast paced style of play forced 21 turnovers. Junior Larry Sanders led the way with 22 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks.

VCU returns four of five starters from last year's 24-10 team that won the CAA title for the second time in the last three years. Friday's season opener also marks Shaka Smart's first game as VCU head coach.

The 2008-2009 season was a record-breaker for the Bethune-Cookman program winning the most games in it's Division I history and the first winning season in Division I for the Wildcats. B-CU was 17-16 overall, and tied for the third in the MEAC last season.

The Wildcats are lead by sophomore C. J. Reed, who led the team in scoring, assists, minutes played and earned the MEAC Rookie of the Year and also All-MEAC second team honors. He also the son of B-CU's head coach Clifford Reed, Jr. Coach Cliff Reed is in his seventh season as B-CU head coach and his twelfth season in the Wildcat program.

Friday, November 6, 2009

VCU 85, VUU 55

Downtown Let Down, New Look Rams Blowout VUU
November 5, 2009
Richmond, VA

The Ram's ring in the Shaka Smart Era with a blowout victory of intra-city rivial VUU. Larry Sanders was dominate with 22 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks in VCU’s 85-55 exhibition victory over the Panthers, on Thursday night at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

The fast-paced tempo of VCU continually caused the Panthers problems forcing 21 turnovers. The Ram's also out rebounded the Panthers, 44-33.

Juniors Brandon Rozzell and Joey Rodriguez combined for 25 points and six assists in what turned out to be a easy victory for the Rams.

Gregg Redford was the only player with double figures for the Panthers contributing 14 points and nine rebounds.

VCU opens the regular season next Friday, November 13th at the Siegel Center against the MEAC's Bethune-Cookman University.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

VCU vs. VUU Tonight!

Come check out the new look Rams when they take on Division II neighbor Virginia Union in an exhibition game tonight at 7:30pm.

VCU has been picked to finish third in CAA. The Rams return 4 starters from last year's CAA Championship team that finished 21-10 and lost a heartbreaker to UCLA in the opening round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

Virginia Union has been picked to finish first in the Eastern Division of the CIAA. The Panthers return the Byerson brothers, Brandon (12.7 points) and Braxton (13.8), from a team that finished 21-7. Coach Willard Coker has nine newcomers. He also has 10 freshmen and sophomores on the roste

VCU opens its season next Friday with a home game against Bethune Cookman.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

This is a History Report, Not a Future Report!

Well, a lot has happened since that loss to UCLA in the NCAA Tournament. So, in honor of my friend Jessica and her affinity for Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure lets take a ride in the Time Box.

Here is a quick recap of this Summer's goings on. Just in case you haven't been paying attention...

Head coach Anthony Grant resigned and accepted the head coaching position at the University of Alabama. He took with him the highly recruited Ben Eblen.

VCU quickly secured the services of Shaka Smart from Florida. VCU is Smart's first head coaching position and the Ram's 3rd coach in 7 years.

Joey Rodriguez announced his intention to transfer to Hollins University in Florida and days later turned around and announced his intention to stay in Richmond.

Eric Maynor Graduated and became an instant millionare when Utah selected him as their number 1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

New head coach Shaka smart signed a trio of guards, Darius Theus, Troy Daniels, and Issiah Grayson to complement transfers Jay Gavin from Marist and Jamie Skeen from Wake Forest.

Larry Sanders spent his summer on the road honing his skills with stops at the Nike Summer Camp, The Lebron James Skills Academy and Ben Wallace's Summer League. Word on the street is that Larry and his redonkulous wingspan are locks for the first round NBA Draft, should he choose to test the NBA waters next summer.

There is a ton of other stuff to fill you in on before the start of the regular season. Check out the new Ram's Media Guide here for detailed information about the program and some candid player interviews. For more on the CAA season check out the Official CAA Preview here.

VCU kicks off its Preseason Thursday when the Ram's face Virginia Union in the Downtown Showdown. Opening tip is at 7:30pm.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

VCU to hire Gator Shaka Smart


In Florida We Trust
03/31/2009

According to multiple reports VCU is set to hire Florida assistant Shaka Smart as its new head coach of basketball. A press conference will be held in the next 48 hours to make it official.

SI.com and CBSSports.com reported Smart will take over for Anthony Grant, who left VCU for Alabama last week. Grant, was also an assistant at Florida.

Smart, who will turn 32 in April, served under Billy Donovan for one season. Smart also had assistant coaching stints under Oliver Purnell at Clemson and Keith Dumbrot at Akron.

Smart played his college basketball at Kenyon College and graduated Magna cum laude in 1999 with a degree in history. A four-year starter and three-year captain, he holds the Kenyon assist record for a season (184) and a career (542). As a senior, he was an All-North Coast Conference selection and was the NCAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was one of 20 student-athletes selected for the 1999 USA Today All-USA Academic team and received a NCAA postgraduate scholarship.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Alabama Gets Their Man, Grant Heading South


So much for building the next Gonzaga.
03/27/2009

Just hours after Billy Donovan announced his intentions to stay in Florida. The University of Alabama announced it had reached an agreement in principle with Anthony Grant to become the next head coach of the Crimson Tide.

"We have been given the opportunity to create a very special situation for men's basketball at the University of Alabama and we look forward to getting started," said Grant. "There's a commitment throughout the athletic department to make sure that we have the resources necessary to compete for championships."

Grant met with Alabama officials in Richmond last weekend and then toured the campus Wednesday.

The deal seemed to stale late in the week with the speculation surrounding Kentucky's interest in the University of Florida's head coach Billy Donovan following the firing if Billy Gillespie.

The 42-year-old Grant previously served as an assistant under Billy Donovan at Florida from 1996-2006 before becoming the head coach at VCU. When Donovan was rumored to be making a move to the NBA in 2007 Grant was considered to be his replacement. His career record with the Rams was 76-25, with a 45-9 conference mark, including a notable upset of the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Grant also has three regular season titles and two conference tournament titles in his three tenure.

Alabama finished 18-14 in 2008-09, with a 7-9 mark in the SEC. The Crimson Tide were ousted in the second round of the conference tourney by eventual runner-up Tennessee.

VCU will now begin the arduous task of trying to replace Grant. Rumor has it VCU will pursue one of Grant's assistants Tony Pujols. The idea being Pujols will be able to keep the remaining team intact as well as enticing top recruit Ben Eblen to honor his letter of intent.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Alabama to talk to Grant


Are Virginia and Georgia next in line?
03/24/2009

The RTD confirmed that the University of Alabama has received permission to talk to VCU basketball coach Anothy Grant.

VCU athletic director Norwood Teague was contacted by his Alabama counterpart, Mal Moore, late Saturday night. Teague granted access to the 42 year old coach on Monday.

Alabama has been developing its list of candidates since mid-January after Mark Gottfried was forced to resign as the Crimson Tide's head coach.

Gottfried posted a record of 210-132 in 10 plus seasons with Alabama. He guided the Tide to their first number 1 ranking in School history in 2002. In 2004 he took his team to its first ever Elite Eight appearence. The Tide are coming off their second straight losing season in the SEC.

In addition to Alabama, Grant has been mentioned as the leading candidate for the head coaching vacancies at Virginia and Georgia. Georgia has denied any contact. According to the RTD, Georgia Sports Information Director Claude Felton strongly denied the report, saying "in my time here at UGA, I don't know that I have seen more erroneous reporting."

There are also rumors circulating that Grant maybe in consideration for the head coaching position at Kentucky should current head coach Billy Gillispie not be retained.

Grant was named the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth on April 18, 2006, and guided the Rams to NCAA tournament berths in 2007 and 2009 and to the National Invitation Tournament in 2008.

He has compiled a 76-24 record at the school, including an astounding 45-9 in Colonial Athletic Association play. Grant has 3 CAA regular season titles and 2 Conference Tournament titles in his 3 years at VCU.

Anthony Grant is currently under contract through the 2013-14 season at an estimated $700,000 annually, with performance bonuses that could push it past $850,000.