MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
After an upset loss to William and Mary in the CAA Tournament, the Rams did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Instead the Rams received a bid to the NIT and lost in the first round to UAB. After being picked to finish, first the Rams are expected to win the league title. Led by point guard Eric Maynor, the Rams look to bounce back and win the CAA regular-season title for the third consecutive year. Maynor, the reigning CAA Player of the Year and this year’s pick for preseason Player of the Year, is expected to be the catalyst for a team looking to get back to the NCAA tournament.
Storylines
Grant still here
After a Billy Donovan phone call to the Florida athletic director a couple of years ago and rumors of being courted by Indiana and LSU a year ago, head coach Anthony Grant is still at VCU after signing a contract extension. The deal is supposed to keep Grant at VCU through the 2014 season. Even though Grant has signed an extension, he is still rumored as a coaching candidate for schools in larger conferences looking for a new head coach. Grant is looking to continue the success he has had as head coach since taking over the program in 2006.
Maynor named CAA preseason Player of the Year
After a season averaging 17.9 points and 5.5 assists per game, point guard Eric Maynor won the CAA Player of the Year award. The award came after Maynor helped VCU reach the NIT Tournament. He enters this season as the favorite to win the award after being named the CAA Preseason Player of the Year.
Rams to participate in Cancun Challenge
The Rams are one of eight teams that will compete in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico. Before the Rams leave for Cancun, they will take on the Citadel on Nov. 16 and South Dakota State on Nov. 19 at the Siegel Center in the opening rounds of the tournament. The Rams will play New Mexico in Cancun and will then take on either Drake or Vanderbilt depending on the outcome of the New Mexico game.
A new game against an old face
On Saturday, Dec. 20, the Rams will play Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Coaching the Sooners will be former VCU coach Jeff Capel. Grant took over for Capel when he left the Rams to become the Sooners’ head coach.
Players to Watch
Brandon Rozzell
The sophomore from Highland Springs High School saw his playing time increase as the season wore on last year. This season, Rozzell is in line to fill the shoes of 3-point sniper Jamal Shuler who graduated in May. Rozzell’s biggest mission will be to play steady defense and help out as a shooter while being a backup ball handler as well.
Lance Kearse
The Floridian showed flashes that reminded Rams fans of former guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa last season. This season, the sophomore will look to crack the starting lineup as a combination wing and post player. Kearse has the size (6’6, 232) to compete and cause problems on the perimeter as well as in the post.
Larry Sanders
The tall sophomore made an instant impact last season on the defensive end, averaging 3.0 blocks per game on his way to becoming one of the best in the country. After a summer of time in the weight room and improving his offensive game, Sanders looks to become a complete player this year.
Terrance Saintil
After freshmen played such a big role in the team’s success last year, the same isn’t expected this season. However, the 6’8 230, freshman gives the Rams a giant and athletic presence in the post to aid the starters. If Saintil’s offensive game is effective, he could push sophomore forward Kirill Pishchalnikov for playing time.
Men’s Schedule
Fri., Nov. 7, vs. Virginia Union (exhibition), Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 12, vs. Virginia State (exhibition), Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 16, vs. The Citadel, Siegel Center, 4 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 19, vs. South Dakota State, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 22, @ Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I., 7 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 25, @ East Carolina, Greenville, N.C., 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 29, vs. New Mexico, Cancun, Mexico, 11 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 30, vs. Drake or Vanderbilt, Cancun, Mexico, 8:15 or 10:30 p.m.
Thu., Dec. 4, vs. Western Michigan, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6, @ William & Mary, Williamsburg, 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 13, @ Richmond, Richmond, 2 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 17, vs. Akron, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 20, vs. Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, 10 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 27, vs. Hampton, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 3, @ Delwaware, Newark, Del., 4:30 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 5, vs. UNC Wilmington, Siegel Center, 9 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 8, @ Drexel, Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 10, vs. Hofstra, Siegel Center, 12 p.m.
Wed., Jan.14, @ Towson, Towson, Md., 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan 17, vs. Old Dominion, Siegel Center, 4 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 21, @ Georgia State, Atlanta, 7:30 pm.
Sat., Jan. 24, vs. George Mason, Siegel Center, 4 or 7 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 27, vs. Northeastern, Siegel Center, 9 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 31, @ Hofstra, Hempstead, N.Y., 12 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW
Head coach Beth Cunningham and the Rams enter the 2008-2009 season coming off a school record for wins (26) and a berth into the WNIT. The team will look to put together similar results this year without the help of last year’s leading scorer, Krystal Vaughn, and assister leader LaKea Jones. Vaughn was taken by the Washington Mystics in the WNBA Draft after averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season. Center Quanitra Hollingsworth is back after suffering from an Achilles injury that sidelined her for the second half of the season. The senior was named preseason first-team All-CAA while the Rams are expected to finish second in the league behind Old Dominion.
Players to Watch
D’Andra Moss
A 6’0 junior from Atlanta; Moss will step in this year as the second post player, filling the roll of Vaughn. Last season, Moss served as one of the first two players off the bench and averaged just over six points and six rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game. Moss has good range on her shot, but is best used inside where she uses her size and athleticism to overcome opponents.
Ebony Patterson
The sophomore from Chesterfield only played in 24 games last season, but will undoubtedly have an expanded roll this season with the departure of Jones. While La’Tavia Rorie and Kita Waller more than likely have a clutch on the starting guard positions, Patterson will have the opportunity to be the primary ball-handler off the bench and set herself up for a starting position next season.
Chelsea Snyder
The last time a freshman came to VCU at 6’5 or taller, she made All-American her first season. That was Hollingsworth – four years ago – after she averaged a double-double for the season. Snyder, a freshman from Grendall, N.J., stands at 6’6, giving her a major advantage over her opponents. If her post moves match her height, Snyder will receive the opportunity to see major playing time behind the starters and give the Rams a legitimate twin towers threat in the middle.
Storylines
She’s back .
From post-season to preseason
Senior Quanitra Hollingsworth was nearly averaging a double-double (13.3 points, 9.5 rebounds) before she suffered an injury that forced her to miss the season’s final 11 games. She’ll look to return to form in the absence of long-time frontcourt mate Krystal Vaughn.
After participating in the post-season WNIT last season, the Rams will play in this season’s preseason WNIT. VCU will begin the tournament with a road game against Liberty and will play two more games against teams to be announced at a later date.
Women’s Schedule
Fri., Nov. 7, vs. Virginia Union (exhibition), Siegel Center, 5 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 14, @ Liberty, Lynchburg, 7 p.m.
Nov. 16-20, 2 games @ TBA (Preseason WNIT), TBA
Tues., Nov. 25, vs. East Carolina, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 29, @ Albany, Albany, N.Y., 2 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 3, @ Richmond, Richmond, 7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 7, vs. Georgetown, Siegel Center, 2 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 15, vs. Morgan State, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 19, @ Radford, Radford, 7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 21, vs. North Carolina Central, Siegel Center, 2
p.m.
Sun., Dec. 28, vs. Longwood, Siegel Center, 2 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 30, vs. American, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 5, @ Old Dominion, Norfolk, 7 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 8, vs. George Mason, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 11, @ James Madison, Harrisonburg, 2 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 15, vs. William & Mary, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 18, vs. Delaware, Siegel Center, 2 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 22, vs. Hofstra, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 25, @ UNC Wilmington, Wilmington, N.C., 7 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 29, @ William & Mary, Williamsburg, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 1, vs. Old Dominion, Siegel Center, 2 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 5, vs. UNC Wilmington, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 8, @ Delaware, Newark, Del., 2 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 12, @ Towson, Towson, Md., 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 15, vs. James Madison, Siegel Center, 2 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 19, vs. Georgia State, Siegel Center, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 22, @ Hofstra, Hempstead, N.Y., 2 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 26, @ Drexel, Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Sun. March 1, vs. Northeastern, Siegel Center 2 p.m.
Wed., March 4, @ Georgia State, Atlanta, 6 p.m.
Projected Starting Lineups
MEN
Pos. Player Last season’s stats
G *Eric Maynor 17.9 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.2 RPG
G *Joey Rodriguez 5.1 PPG, 2.5 APG, 79.7% free throws
G Brandon Rozzell 2.5 PPG, 38.1% 3-pointers
F *Kirill Pishchalnikov 2.5 RPG, 43.2% field goals
F *Larry Sanders 4.9 PPG, 5.2 PPG, 3.0 BPG
*Returning starter
WOMEN
Pos. Player Last season’s stats
G *La’Tavia Rorie 9.6 PPG, 2.9 APG, 33.9% 3-pointers
G Kita Waller 9.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG
F *Radoslava Bachvarova 8.1 PPG, 33.7% 3-pointers, 75% free throws
F D’Andra Moss 6.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG
C *Quanitra Hollingsworth 13.3 PPG, 9.5 PRG, 1.1 BPG
*Returning starter