SPORTS BRIEFS

MEN’S BASKETBALL Jamal Shuler (Jacksonville, N.C./ Jacksonville) was named CAA Co- Player of the Week for his sharp shooting against Hampton and Maryland. The senior guard averaged 22.5 points and six rebounds per game in those contests and shot 55 percent (11 of 20) from 3-point range.

Meeting of the Minds

Issue 1: BCS/bowl or playoff system? Howard: I’ve enjoyed watching the college football post-season for years now, but I think it’s time for all of Division I to move to a playoff system. No offense to all the teams that worked hard to finish above .500, but I could care less about a post-season bowl game between Ball State and Rutgers that takes place in Canada.

Rams upend Spiders, stay perfect

Improved defense has been a source of pride and a key to success for the Rams this season, as well as something to hang their hat on. Wednesday evening, defense propelled VCU despite the team totaling its second-lowest point output of the season. The Rams walked away with a 60-51 win over Richmond in the first game of a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader at the Stuart C.

LOOKING AHEAD

Men’s Basketball Sat., Dec. 8, vs. Richmond, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 15, vs. Longwood, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 22, @ Bradley, Peoria, Ill., 8:05 p.m. Wed., Jan. 2, @ James Madison, Harrisonburg, TBA Sat., Jan. 5, @ UNC Wilmington, Wilmington, N.

Rams win conference opener

After a big win over Maryland in the BB&T Classic last Sunday, it would have been easy for VCU to have a let-down effort against William and Mary. This was not the case, however, as the Rams used great defense and a late scoring spurt to beat the Tribe 71-57 at the Stuart C.