Congratulations to both basketball teams for making it to the NCAA Tournament. The men get started Thursday night against UCLA, while the women begin their quest Saturday against Rutgers. Here is what to look for in both games.
Men: No. 11 VCU vs. No. 6 UCLA
Where: Philadelphia
When: Thursday at 9:50 p.m.
Line: UCLA by 7
Analysis: Even though UCLA is the favorite in this game, there are many people who are giving the Rams a good chance to defeat the Bruins. The main reason for this is senior Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C./Westover). Maynor is the two-time CAA Player of the Year, the Rams’ leader and best player. Maynor also has tournament experience. Maynor hit the game-winner against Duke two years ago to send VCU to the second round of the tournament. Sophomore Larry Sanders (Fort Pierce, Fla./Port St. Lucie) is another reason people are picking the Rams. Sanders’ defensive presence in the lane will be huge.
Another reason people like the Rams is because of the travel. UCLA will be making the cross-country trip from Los Angeles to Philadelphia while the Rams’ trip will be much shorter.
UCLA counters with the excellent backcourt combination of Darren Collison and Josh Shipp. Both Shipp and Collison have helped the Bruins advance to three straight Final Fours and are the Bruins’ leading scorers.
The keys to the game will be backcourt play and defense. Both teams have great backcourts. In addition to Maynor, the Rams have freshman Bradford Burgess (Midlothian/Benedictine) and sophomores Joey Rodriguez (Oviedo, Fla./Lake Howell) and Brandon Rozzell (Richmond/Highland Springs) playing in the backcourt. The Bruins have Collison and Shipp. Both teams play great defense. The Rams give up 63.4 points per game while the Bruins give up 63.3 points per game. VCU should have the advantage down low because Sanders is the best post player, offensively and defensively, for either team. He needs to stay out of foul trouble for the Rams to maintain this advantage.
This will be a very close game. Backcourt play and team defense will determine the winner.
Women: No. 10 VCU vs. No. 7 Rutgers
Where: Piscataway, N.J.
When: Saturday at 2 p.m.
Line: None
Analysis: These are two great defensive teams. VCU allowed 53.9 points per game during the regular season while Rutgers allowed 54.9 points per game. The Rams need to keep Rutger’s guard Epiphanny Prince under control. Prince averages 19.2 points per game for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers’ guard Brittany Ray was the only other Scarlet Knight to average double digits in points, averaging 10 points per game. If the Rams are able to limit the amount of points Prince and Ray score, they will make the game a lot easier for them to win.
The Rams need to get to a hot start in this game. Even though this is a tournament game, Rutgers will be playing at home and will have the home court advantage. VCU needs to take the crowd out of the game early and keep them out of it.
Rutgers needs to keep Rams senior Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake/Great Bridge) from dominating inside. Hollingsworth’s job will be made easier if senior Radoslava Bachvarova (Varna, Bulgaria/Daytona Beach C.C.) and others can knock down shots from the outside. If the Rams are able to knock down shots from the outside, it will give Hollingsworth more space to work with down low and keep the defense from sagging on her in the post.
Rutgers and VCU are evenly matched. It will be a close game. The Rams will have to overcome the home-court advantage the Scarlet Knights will enjoy, but VCU has the team that can get it done.