TOWSON, Md. - There are good teams and then, there are elite teams. VCU has been an elite mid-major program for a long time, winning an average of 26 games per season over the last five years. The Rams punctuated last year's season with an incredible Final Four run as they went from a team who many critics felt didn't belong to everybody's favorite Cinderella.
With just two returning starters this year, the Rams are once again back in the thick of things in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 16-5 overall record and a 7-2 conference mark; they are tied for second place with Drexel and Old Dominion.
The Rams opened the season by losing to Seton Hall, Georgia Tech and Alabama while beating St. Francis (Pa.), Western Kentucky (twice) and South Florida. The 23-point USF win on Nov. 30 really seemed to turn things around for Coach Shaka Smart's team, which went on to win eight straight games, culminating with the 80-63 win at Hofstra.
The Rams got off track on Jan. 4 after falling at home to Georgia State by two points along with a six-point loss at Drexel. But, since losing to the Dragons, the Rams have routed JMU by 20, beat Delaware on the road by 13, edged William & Mary at home by one in overtime and defeated Old Dominion at home by 13 last Saturday. On Monday night, the Rams took care of business against Hofstra, winning 61-48 at home.
As usual, VCU wins with defense. The Rams allow just 59.6 points per game while putting up 67.7 points per game. They shoot 40% from the field while their opponents shoot 42.5% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc.
The biggest issue for VCU opponents is the Rams' pressure defense. They force 17.6 turnovers per game and are tied for the lead in the CAA with 10 steals per game.
Junior wing Bradford Burgess (6-6, 225) is one of the Rams' returning starters who can change a game in many ways. While he does lead the team in scoring at 13 points per game, he is shooting just 33.5% from the field and 80% from the line. But, he is also shooting better from the three-point line (34%, 41-121). Burgess also averages 5.6 rebounds and one steal per game.
Junior Darius Theus (6-3, 200) runs the point and has done a solid job taking over for clutch guard Joey Rodriguez. Theus averages 8.9 points and 4.6 assists per game to lead the CAA. He shoots 46% from the floor and 26.3% (10-of-38) from three-point range.
Junior Troy Daniels (6-4, 200) is one of the best shooters on the team, averaging 9.8 points per game while shooting 36.4% from the field and 38% (54-141) from three-point range.
Up front, sophomore Juvonte Reddic (6-9, 235) has stepped up this year with more minutes (27.8 mpg) while taking over for leading scorer and rebounder Jamie Skeen, who graduated. Reddic averages 10.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the floor. He also leads the team with 23 blocks and is third with 31 steals.
At center, sophomore D.J. Haley (7-0, 250) gives the Rams one of the biggest frontcourts in the league. Haley starts but plays about 15.1 minutes per game while averaging 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game; he also shoots 53% from the floor.
Freshman Briante Weber (6-3, 160) is one of the most athletic guards in the league. He averages 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and leads the league with 2.6 steals per game. He shoots 46% from the floor and 30% from beyond the arc. Not bad for a player who gets 20.8 minutes per game.
Sophomore Rob Brandenberg (6-2, 180) is another quality guard off the bench who has started 15 games and averages 8.1 points per game. He shoots 30% from the floor and 28% from beyond the arc.
Freshman Treveon Graham (6-5, 215) gives the Rams another quality wing off the bench. He averages 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 16.2 minutes per game while shooting 40% from the floor and 35% (13-of-37) from beyond the arc.
Wednesday's game between the Tigers and the Rams will be broadcast on WNST-AM 1570 with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti calling the action. TowsonTigers.com will also have an in-game blog on Wednesday night starting at 6:45 p.m.
