Havoc, that's the name of the intense pressure the Virginia Commonwealth University men's basketball team subjects their opponents to, from the opening tip off, to the final buzzer. Coach Shaka Smart has his young men running and hustling non stop creating "Havoc".
Last night's victory over long time rival Old Dominion University was evidence Coach Smart has the Rams in late season form, pressuring and harassing ODU for a 83-70 victory. VCU led by as many as 20 point against an ODU team in the mists of a 6 game losing streak. ODU made runs against the Rams, only to be repelled time after time. The Monarchs were coming off their worst home loss in school history against the other entry in the A 10, The University of Richmond 80-53.
ODU was led by DeShaun Painter's double double of 26 points (career high) and 10 boards. The VCU combination of Troy Daniels and Treveon Graham accounted for 47 of the Ram's 83 points. Daniels was lights out from beyond the arc scoring 24 points on a school tying 8 three pointers. Graham was his usual self, aggressively driving the paint for 23 points on 7-13 shooting and 9 rebounds. Briante Weber was all over the court with 8 points, 9 boards, 10 assist and 5 steals with only 1 turnover in 31 minutes of play.
Coach Smart showed his intensity when he got into the face of a couple of players late in the game because of their careless ball handling. As well as VCU played, there were still defensive lapses and ODU out rebounded them 40- 30. What should be a concern for coach Smart is the lack of production from 7 footers Reddic and Haley a combined 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Both need to step up for the Rams to go deep in a A 10 Championship and the NCAA tournament. On the positive side, VCU had 19 assist and Coach Smart must be happy about how the Rams moved the ball around the court.
VCU's next opponent will be the University of Alabama and Coach Anthony Grant, who will be coming home to play against a Rams team he helped build. The 6-2 Tide will get a taste of Havoc.
Lets Go Rams
Last night's victory over long time rival Old Dominion University was evidence Coach Smart has the Rams in late season form, pressuring and harassing ODU for a 83-70 victory. VCU led by as many as 20 point against an ODU team in the mists of a 6 game losing streak. ODU made runs against the Rams, only to be repelled time after time. The Monarchs were coming off their worst home loss in school history against the other entry in the A 10, The University of Richmond 80-53.
ODU was led by DeShaun Painter's double double of 26 points (career high) and 10 boards. The VCU combination of Troy Daniels and Treveon Graham accounted for 47 of the Ram's 83 points. Daniels was lights out from beyond the arc scoring 24 points on a school tying 8 three pointers. Graham was his usual self, aggressively driving the paint for 23 points on 7-13 shooting and 9 rebounds. Briante Weber was all over the court with 8 points, 9 boards, 10 assist and 5 steals with only 1 turnover in 31 minutes of play.
Coach Smart showed his intensity when he got into the face of a couple of players late in the game because of their careless ball handling. As well as VCU played, there were still defensive lapses and ODU out rebounded them 40- 30. What should be a concern for coach Smart is the lack of production from 7 footers Reddic and Haley a combined 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Both need to step up for the Rams to go deep in a A 10 Championship and the NCAA tournament. On the positive side, VCU had 19 assist and Coach Smart must be happy about how the Rams moved the ball around the court.
VCU's next opponent will be the University of Alabama and Coach Anthony Grant, who will be coming home to play against a Rams team he helped build. The 6-2 Tide will get a taste of Havoc.
Lets Go Rams
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