Friday, February 27, 2009

Behold the Greatness of Kendrick Warren



I am pretty sure he scored all his points on dunks!

Game 29 - VCU 71 JMU 52

History on Hold as Rams Down Madison
02/25/2009
Harrisonburg

Eric Maynor scored 18 points and had eight assists to lead VCU passed James Madison University 71-52 on Wednesday night.

Maynor just missed tying VCU's all-time leading scorer Kendrick Warren, 1990-1994, at 1,858 points. Maynor who entered the night averaging 23.1 points this season finished just one bucket shy of the record at 1,857 career points.

The Rams (20-9, 13-4 Colonial Athletic Association) pulled away in the second half after leading 28-26 at halftime.

Larry Sanders completed his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points, 11 rebounds. The Condor also added three blocks in 34 minutes of action.

The Kremlin also played a solid game scoring four points and grabbing 10 rebounds for the Rams, while Joey Rodriguez scored 11 points and swiped 2 steals.

James Madison (18-12, 9-8) was only 16 of 50 from the floor (32 percent) and 2 of 20 from the 3-point line (10 percent). Juwann James scored 19 for the Dukes.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Georgia State. Eric Maynor looks to solidify himself has the Rams all time leading scoring, as well as, bring home VCU's third straight regular season CAA Title.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Game 28 - VCU v. Nevada


2/20/2009 
Reno - Bracketbusters

9:12  Alright 5 minutes into the game and we are finally underway with the live blog.  Tap House was good.  I went with the burger and a couple pints of Dunkel.  Unfortunately, it was super busy and took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get out of there.  We are down by 2.   T.J. Gwynn and Terrance Santil have been the story.  Santil is 3-3 and just benefited from a nice feed from Gwynn.

9:13  Marc and Sarah are openly supporting Ram It.  It must be the alcohol talking. 

9:20  ESPN's announcers are drooling over Sander's wing span.  T.J. fouls a Nevada player shooting a three.  He is going to be back in the dog house.  

9:21 The Kremlin is in.  Nevada is up 17-12.  I am thinking he will be out in less then three minutes with two quick fouls.   

9:24 Marc - Apparently The Kremlin hit someone in the face in the last game.  

9:26 - 7 mins to go in the half VCU 15 Nevada 19.  The Rams are trading bricks with the Wolfpack.  Kirill picks up his first.  What did I tell you?

9:30 And que the Dagger clip.  I am surprised they wait this long to show it.  I still love the shocked look on MacClore's face.  Speaking of, does he even get playing time?

9:32 - 5:12 to go.  Brandon Burgess just made a nice spin move in the lane for a lay up.  He has really found the scoring touch of late.  The crowd is taunting Maynor.  They will learn not to do that by the end of the game.  Joey just went to the hoop strong.  He needs to do that more.  VCU 22 Nevada 27. 

9:34 - 3:39 left in the first.  Nevada takes a time out to draw up a play.  Grant is looking good.  "He loves to play 90 feet both ways" according to our play by play guys.  I am sure he does.  He would probably be good for 20 and 10 if he suited up tonight.  

9:42 - 2:40 on the game clock Maynor sick ball fake at the top of the key and then drives to the lane for the bucket and the foul.  Maynor face!  Nevada 27 VCU 25

9:43 - 2:26 The Kremlin just picked up his second and is back on the bench.  

Marc - Planet wings has everything.  Me - He is upset that we haven't gone recently.  

9:47 - Maynor is taking control.  That's 7 straight points and VCU has taken the lead with 1:12 to go.  VCU 29.  Nevada 28. 

Marc's hammy is better.  I think he was just using it as an excuse for a poor performance in Tuesday Congressional Basketball Tourney.  For those of you that weren't there The Governor's basketball team lost a close game to the Lobbyists on Tuesday.  Marc pulled a hamstring on the first play of the game.  Apparently, he even stretched.

9:48 - Maynor highlight reel is going.  

9:49 - Final seconds Rozzell nails a three in the corner.  Rams take the momentum into the locker room.

HALF
VCU 32 - Nevada 28

Maynor is leading all scorers with 9 
Burgess has 8 and Terrance Santil with a surprise 6 
Luke Babbitt is leading the Wolfpack with 6.

10:05 - And we are underway.  Momentum is key according to our announcers friends.  Maynor draws a quick foul and goes to the foul line for two.   Money in the bank.  VCU up 6. 

10:06 - Maynor steal.  Bucket from the Kremlin!!  Time out Nevada.  VCU 36 Nevada 28

Streetfighter 4 is will be out soon.  You would think they would update the graphics.  It looks like it did back in 1995.  

Marc has been on his blackberry the entire game.  That is big business.  

10:10 - 18:06 They cant guard Maynor.  He just shook 3 and went to the rack.  Offensive goal tending Larry Sanders.  Way to go Big Fella!

10:11 - Another reference to Sander's wing span.  They called him the Condor! 

10:12 - Joey to the rack for 2.  Nevada answers with a bucket down low.  They have a mini run going.  VCU 38 Nevada 35.  

10:13 - 16:35 Maynor fouled going to the hoop.  Count the two free throws.  VCU 40 Nevada 35. 

Marc needs more Nixon.  What he doesn't realize is that we have been winning with him on the bench.  

Sarah needs more TJ.  I whole heatedly agree.

Shirley is researching her ancestors online.  

The Wolfpack mascot is hula hooping in a bathrobe.  Nevada is proving to be a strange and wondrous land.  

10:18 - 15:30 to go.  Nevada is shooting 36 percent.  Sanders is trying to help them out and and picks up his second foul trying to pick up a defensive rebound.  

1019 - 15:15 Maynor is dismantling the Nevada defense.  Another lay up.  Gives the Rams an 8 point lead.  Luke Babbitt answers. 42-37 VCU is up.  

10:21 - 14:12 Kirill picks up his 3.  Grant is keeping him on the floor.  I must say his new hair cut looks good. 

10:22 - 13:49 The Kremlin picks up his 4.  Back to the bench.  Larry is back in.  Nevada has cut the lead to 5.  

10:23 - 13:36 Maynor with another floater.  This time he has two on him.  He now has 17.  Another rant about how great Maynor is.  65 straight starts.  Soon to be VCU's all time leading scorer.  

Marc says that the WAC is a sissy league.  

10:25 - 12:15 Another reference to Larry Sanders' 7'-7" wing span.  Nixon hits a three to put the Rams up 10.  VCU 51 - Nevada 41.  Marc is pumped.  

10:31 Eric Maynor is getting whatever he wants in the paint.  Another floater which doesnt go but he is fouled.  2 gim'mes from the line.  VCU is up 53-43

10:32 - 11 to go.  TJ Gwynn is back in the game.  VCU 53 Nevada 45.

10:36 - 9:11 Nevada is on a run.  They have cut the lead to 6.  VCU 55 Nevada 49. 

10:38 - 8:38 Maynor is fouled on a rebound.  The ref underneath calls Maynor out.  The up court Ref called the foul.  Coach Mark Fox gets the T for Nevada.  Maynor goes 3-4 from the line Rams retain possession.  VCU up 58-49.

10:40 - 8:20 to go in the game.  Mark Fox just got tossed.  Second tech.  The crowd has become hostile.  The Wolfpack squad is looking confused.  Maynor cans 2 more.  VCU up 60-51.

10:43 - 7:01 left in the second.  TJ draws a charge.  The crowd is now livid.  

10:46 - 6:28 Sanders draws a tech.  Too much whining.  VCU's lead is down to 7.  The camera is panning the crowd and what this?  The Super Fans have made the trip out to Reno.  Who said the economy is bad.  

10:48  - 6 to go.  Maynor hits two more from the line.  VCU lead up to 9.  

10:40 - 5:44 Nevada cant hit a shot.  They are shooting 32 percent.  Travelling called on the Wolfpack rebound.  Traveling called.  Nevada has nothing going there way.  

10:51 - 5:01 The Kremlin has fouled out with 2 points.  I think that is 3 games in the last four that he has fouled out.  VCU 62 - Nevada 55.

10:53 - 4:37 Burgess hits 2 from the line to give him 11 for the game.  

Marc - wants to add that Nixon is playing great.  He may not have the stats but I have to admit he has brought the intangibles.  That's worth something right?

10:54 - 3:19 Please omit my previous statement.  Cooke is fouled in the lane by Nixon.   The bucket is good.  Nevada cuts the lead to five.  Could be 4 if they can convert the free throw.  Free throw is good.  VCU 64 - Nevada 62.

10:55 - 2:39 The Condor commits foul number 4.  Nevada hits an easy layup to cut the VCU lead to 2.  

11:00 - 2:17 Larry gets a huge offensive rebound and is fouled.  He is heading to the line for two.  Queue yet another wingspan reference.  The Condor hits 1 of 2.  VCU 65 Nevada 62.

11:01 - 1:53 left on the game clock.  Larry has committed his 5th foul.  Horrible foul.  VCU 65 Nevada 64.   We are now going to loose.

11:03 - 1:32 Maynor to the rim.  Cold blooded.  He has 28.  

11:04 - 1:01 Johnson hits for the Wolfpack.  Nevada down 1.  Rams brick a midrange jumper.  Nevada has a chance to take the lead. 

11:05 - Time out with 37 seconds to go.  Wolfpack ball.  VCU 67 Nevada 66. 

11:08 - Johnson hits an easy 6 footer for the lead.  Nevada up 1.  Thst might have been a different story had our post players not fouled out.

11:08 - 13 ticks on the clock.  Maynor bricks the floater.  Nevada rebound and VCU foul. 

11:10 - Both free throws are good.  Nevada up 3.  Here we go.  Maynor bricks the 3.  VCU fouls with 1.8 left on the clock.  

11:11 - Babbitt hits 1 of 2.  Joey hits the half court shot to end the game.  Nevada ends the game on a 19-7 run.  Cudos to Coach Fox.  The ejection got his team fired up and focus.  

FINAL: VCU 70 Nevada 71
VCU falls to 19-9 overall and 12-4 in the CAA

Maynor ends the game with 25 points and 5 assists.  
Once again our bigs let us down.  

Game 27 VCU 78 Delawhere? 67

2/18/2009 - The Stu

The Rams were able to secure sole possession of first place behind the dynamic place of Senior Eric Maynor and Sophomore Larry Sanders.


Maynor scored 21 of his game-high 30 points in the second half to help rally VCU, which trailed, 38-36, at the break. Maynor also handed out 10 assists while committing just one turnover. It's Maynor's seventh 30-point game of his career, as well as his eighth double-double.


Sanders scored 19 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots recording his seventh of the season. He grabbed 14 rebounds in the second half alone.


Guess who else decided to make an appearance!?!


The Kremlin!


Kiril Pischalnikov put in a solid 26 points scoring 11 points and snagging 3 boards. His ability to stay out of foul trouble and have a presence on the floor contributed to the big nights from Larry Sanders and Eric Maynor


The Rams improved to 12-4 in the CAA and moved into first place ahead of Northeastern who fell to Georgia State, 70-68, Wednesday. VCU is 19-8 overall. Delaware slipped to 11-17 overall and 5-11 in the league.

Next up Bracketbusters!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Game 26 - VCU 65 ODU 69

GERALD LEE HATES VCU
2/14/2009 - Norfolk, VA

Gerald Lee scored 18 points and pulled down 5 rebounds to lead Old Dominion to a 69-65 victory over Virginia Commonwealth. Nine of the Juniors 18 points came down the stretch.

Eric Maynor once again lead all scorers with 22 points. Bradford Burgess continues his hot streak scoring 16. He was 4-5 from behind the arch. Larry Sanders add 10 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks VCU.

The Rams were thoroughly dominated in the paint. The Monarchs to out rebounded the Rams, 43-37, and outscored VCU, 35-20, in the paint. ODU also managed to pull down 16 offensive rebounds.

At this point in the season it is painstakingly obvious that our Bigs are the difference between winning and losing. In the last 3 losses, NU, UNCW and ODU, The Kremlin as averaged 10.6 mins and 2 boards. He scored only once and has fouled out twice.

That leaves the burden squarely on the shoulders of a waffely Larry Sanders and an inexperienced Terrance Santil.

While Larry as shown glimpses of being a dominate big man in the CAA he has also shown a pension for silly fouls.

At some point our Bigs need to realize that it maybe Eric Maynor's Team but it is their scoring and rebounding that will make the difference in March.

The Rams are now 18-8 overall and 11-4 in CAA play. ODU improves to 16-9 and 9-6 in conference. The Rams are back in action on Wednesday when they face Delaware at the Siegel. Delaware beat the Rams in their first meeting 81-79.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Game 25 VCU 76 JMU 71

2/11/2009 @ The Stu.

Money is tight these days and I am not ashamed to admit that I was at a friend's house watching the UNC/Duke game. I am happy to report that UNC took the Blue Devils behind the proverbial woodshed and showed them a thing or two about winning big on the road. While Duke was crumbling on national television I was eyeing my iPhone for VCU updates.


It was evident by the start of the second half that this one was going to come down to the final position. We flipped on the radio in time to hear the final minute of regulation.

All I have to say is Eric Maynor is cold blooded. Once again he put the Rams on his back and scored 13 of his 22 points in the final three minutes of the game. This included the game tying free throws which would carry the Rams and the momentum into overtime.

Maynor continued is dominance in overtime scoring or assisting on all of VCU's 14 points in the period.

But it would be Big Shot Burgess that would steal some Maynor's spotlight drilling the decisive three pointer to seal the victory seconds remaining.

In addition to his 22 points Maynor added 9 assists and 4 rebounds. Brandon Rozzell contributed 13, Joey 12 and Larry Sanders chipped in 8 points to go along with his 10 boards.

The Rams improved to 11-3 in the league and 18-7 overall. The Dukes fell to 16-10 on the year, as well as 8-6 in conference play.

In hind site this was easily the most exciting game we have been apart of this year. I wish I had have shelled out the 15 Washingtons to see it live.

Next time!

Game 24 - VCU 76 W&M 54


2-7-2009 @ The Stu

Thank God for Homecoming and William and Larry! I mean William and Mary.

Eric Maynor and Joey Rodriguez combined for 24 points and 12 assists leading a balanced Ram attack past an over matched Tribe.

The game would also mark the return of Junior T.J. Gwynn who posted 6 points and 4 rebounds in 13 minutes of play. Sophomore Larry Sanders added 13 points for VCU. The Rams had seven others will at least 7 points.

David Schneider led the Tribe with 11 points.

The Rams were able to rebound from their road loss to UNCW and exacted a little revenge for last year's CAA tournament debacle. VCU improved to 17-7 overall and 10-3 in the league. That's good for second place. William and Mary fell to 7-16 on the year and 2-11 in the CAA.

Game 23 - VCU 72 - UNCW 81

"You are horrible VCU!"

I shouted this repeatedly at the TV. No one heard me. Even if they did hear me shouting through my TV I don't think it would have mattered. The Seahawks came into the game battling with William and Mary for the basement with just two wins in the conference play. After the final whistle they were still in the cellar but had managed to put a thorough beat down on the Rams. UNCW dominated this one from the tip. Chad Tomko's had 12 points and 6 assists in the first putting UNCW ahead 37-32 at the break. Tomko now known forever as Tomcat, thanks to our friends at Comcast, finished with 19 pts.

The Rams never recovered. Eric Maynor led all scores with 21 points but suffered one of his worst shooting games of his career going 7-23. He was 0-11 from the three point line. Larry Sanders and Bradford Burgess would contribute 26 points.

Real quick, is it me or does Tomcat strangely resemble Ed Norton from American History X?



Anyway...

VCU would fall to 16-7 overall and 8-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association with the loss. UNCW improved to 6-18 on the year, including 3-9 in league play. The Seahawks also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Rams.



Dont let the Man get you down!

I apologize to all of you that have been waiting in bated breath for my literary stylings, or lack there of. It appears that triumvirate of world economic melt down, unemployment and a horrible loss to UNCW had me in the gutter for a couple of weeks. I promise it wont happen again. Well, at least in the next week. Damn the Man!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

VCU Headed to Reno for Bracketbusters

VCU will be headed to the Lawlor Events Center to take on the University of Nevada Wolfpack on Friday, Feb. 20 as part of this year's ESPN Bracketbusters.  

This Rams and Wolfpack have never met. 

Nevada is currently second in the Western Athletic Conference at 6-2 and 13-8 overall.  The Wolfpack are lead by freshman forward Luke Babbit.  He leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game and rebounding with 7.8 per contest.  

Nevada is 4-1 in Bracketbuster play.  They are a perfect 4-0 at home in the competition. 

This year will mark VCU's fifth appearance in the ESPNU Bracketbusters.  The Rams are 2-2 in Bracketbusters play.  VCU beat Akron 57-52 on the road last year.  

Game 22 - Rams survive Hofstra 66-62

For the second straight week Larry Sanders found himself on the bench early as a result of a technical foul.  Hofstra would make the most of the opportunity surging to a 12 point lead early in the first.  The Pride seemed to be in control and the game looked to be in doubt well into the second half.  

It would be VCU's Eric Maynor that would lead a dramatic comback scoring 11 straight midway through the second half to tie the game.  The Pride would trade buckets with the Rams until the final minutes of the game when another 6 point run by Maynor would give the Rams 64-60 advantage.  

Joey Rodriguez would ice the game with one of his 4 steals that would end with a Bradford Burgess dunk.  

Maynor scored 21 of his game high 33 in the second half.  He also added 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.  This was his second straight 30 point game.

Freshman Bradford Burgess found his shooting touch and added 11 points.  

VCU improved to 16-6 overall and 9-2 in the CAA.  The Pride fall to 14-8 overall and 6-5 in the conference.  

The Rams look to continue their 4 game road win streak Wednesday at UNCW.