Six players from last year’s team, which
won 28 games en route to the CAA title and a
win over Duke in the first round of the NCAA
Tournament, return to the Rams. This year,
VCU is expected to finish second in the CAA
behind rival George Mason. Junior point guard
Eric Maynor, the pre-season conference player
of the year and a Wooden Award candidate,
is back at the helm and will be expected to
be even more of a leader with the departure
of guards B.A. Walker and Jesse Pellot-Rosa.
Perhaps the biggest story lines of the season
will be the Rams’ youth and depth.
Last season’s team was big on experience
(four seniors), but low on depth (11 players on
the roster). This year, VCU will carry a 15-man
roster, but nine are new to VCU, including seven
freshmen.
Joey Rodriguez
Joey Rodriguez might be small in stature, but
he has big shoes to fill. The freshman point guard
will be called upon to back up Maynor in times of
need. Last season, this role went to seniors Matt
Coward and B.A. Walker. Rodriguez is still making
the transition from high school to college that will
make him effective.
“It’s definitely a lot faster. Players are a lot stronger.
I’m still trying to work timing out with the other
players,” he said.
The coaches, however, know exactly what they
want Rodriguez to do.
“Just run the team,” he said. “That’s all they keep
telling me to do – be vocal and be a leader.”
From Eric Maynor: “Joey’s a great point guard.
For me to come out of the game and for him to come
in, I feel like we wouldn’t be missing anything. He’s
going to give the same energy and same intensity
that I give.”
Franck Ndongo
After spending a lot of time on the bench last
season, Franck Ndongo looks to have an expanded
role because of Pellot-Rosa’s departure. Even though
he will be more heavily relied on, he said he doesn’t
feel the pressure to put up numbers.
“No pressure at all. What I’m thinking about is
my team no matter where I go, 6th man or 7th man
– it’s all about the team,” he said.
The summer proved to be a big factor in Ndongo’s
improvement. Along with taking 14 credits in
summer school, Ndongo took his game to an
international level.
“I was called by my national team to play for
Cameroon in AfroBasket 2007,” he said.
Larry Sanders
Larry Sanders stands out on the VCU roster. In a
season of youth and improved depth, the freshman
has both of those qualities. Sanders, a 6’9 forward,
provides immediate help to Wil Fameni and Michael
Anderson in the post. However, the big man also has
the least basketball experience on the team. Sanders
didn’t start playing until 10th grade and didn’t play
varsity until his junior year.
“It’s just a big learning process for me. It’s tough,
but he (head coach Anthony Grant) makes sure you
understand,” Sanders said.
Although he has a large learning curve, Sanders
has greatly benefited from playing with Fameni and
Anderson, both seniors.
“(They are) great teachers. I can tell you that
much. If I do something wrong, Wil is going to tell
me I did it wrong before I realize it.”
From Wil Fameni: “(The freshmen) might be inexperienced,
but they are talented. That’s something you can’t teach.”
Jamal Shuler
Senior Jamal Shuler is cracking the starting lineup
for the first time.
“I’m excited about playing, starting, being out
there and bringing energy to the team,” he said.
“Shu” knows that it’s vital to bring the same
energy from the opening tip.
“I just feed off the crowd; coach said that’s my
job. I just have that mentality that I have to bring
what I have to bring … I know we’re always going
to have a big crowd. They always give me that
extra boost.”
If the Rams had a weakness last season, it was
their trouble closing out a few tough opponents,
such as Bradley and Old Dominion.
“It ultimately comes down to us making better
decisions at the defensive end and the offensive end.
Just minimizing mistakes; that’ll help us win those
games. That experience in the NCAAs is added
experience for us. When we get in tough situations,
like down two with 30 seconds left to go, to have
that edge when we’ve been here before, and we
can get through it. It gives me more leadership to
provide to the young guys.”
Brandon Rozzell
Brandon Rozzell is the one Virginian recruit added
to the Rams roster this season. Being a Richmond
native, he played on the Siegel Center floor in high
school and attended VCU games.
“I came to pretty much every home game after
being recruited,” he said.
The freshmen are already bonding with the
existing team to form the links that were so vital
in the last portion of last season.
“The coaching staff and my teammates are like
another family to me,” he said.
When he gets his chance, Rozzell will be quick
to help the team.
“I’m looking to step up and do what I can,” he said.
“When my time comes, I’m looking to provide.”
—
Former 6th man Shuler now starting
“My job is pretty much the same (as it was last year). I’m just
starting. I don’t look at it as, ‘OK, I have to replace B.A. (Walker)
and Jesse (Pellot-Rosa).’ I’m just going to come out there and do
whatever I can to put us in a position to win the game.”
CAA Coach of the Year Grant enters second season
“This year’s team will have a different identity than last year’s
team … This year, our senior leaders are Wil Fameni, Mike
Anderson and Jamal Shuler … I’m pretty pleased with where
we are right now.”
Rams invited to Puerto Rico Tip Off and BB&T
Classic
In the Puerto Rico Tip Off, VCU will face Houston in the first
round. With a win, the Rams will face either Miami or Marist,
followed by an opponent to be determined in the final round.
In the BB&T Classic in Washington, D.C., the Rams will face
the Maryland Terrapins.
Maynor receives off-season accolades
“All the awards from pre-season are just what people think.
I’m all about winning. It’s about me and my teammates.”
Schedule
Thu., Nov.1, vs. Virginia State (exhibition), Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 5, vs. Virginia Union (exhibition), Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 9, vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
*Thu., Nov. 15, vs. Houston, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 9 a.m.
*Fri., Nov. 16, vs. Miami or Marist, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 18, TBA, San Juan, Puerto Rico, TBA
Sat., Nov. 24, vs. Elon, Sigel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Thu., Nov. 29, @ Hampton, Hampton, 7 p.m.
%Sun., Dec. 2, vs. Maryland, Washington, D.C., 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 5, vs. William and Mary, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
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.C., TBA
Thu., Jan. 10, vs. Georgia State, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan 12, vs. Hofstra, Siegel Center, noon
Wed., Jan 16, vs. Delaware, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan 19, @ Old Dominion, Norfolk, 4 p.m.
Wed., Jan 23, @ Hofstra, Hempstead, N.Y., 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan 26, vs. Drexel, Siegel Center, 6 p.m.
Tue., Jan 29, @ George Mason, Fairfax, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 2, vs. Towson, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 6, @ Georgia State, Atlanta, TBA
Sat., Feb. 9, @ Delaware, Newark, Del., 2 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 13, vs. James Madison, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 16, vs. Old Dominion, Siegel Center, TBA
Wed., Feb. 20, @ Northeastern, Boston, 7 p.m.
#Sat., Feb. 23, @ TBA
Wed., Feb. 27, vs. UNC Wilmington, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sat., March 1, @ William and Mary, Williamsburg, TBA
March 7-10, CAA Tournament, Richmond
*- Puerto Rico Tip Off
%- BB&T Classic
#- ESPN BracketBusters