How sweet it is: VCU reaches Sweet 16 for first time in school’s 43-year history
Heading into this season, perhaps the most notable thing about VCU’s roster was not who was on it, but who wasn’t.
Adam Stern
Sports Editor
Commonwealth Times Sports’ Twitter
Heading into this season, perhaps the most notable thing about VCU’s roster was not who was on it, but who wasn’t.
Eric Maynor— the undeniable face of not just the team or athletic department but the entire university— was long gone; now entering his second season in the NBA. Larry Sanders—a player who pumped Rams fans up more than anyone else with his bountiful blocks and dazzling dunks— opted out of returning to the school for his senior season and was on his way to the pros, too.
So when the season started, VCU second-year head coach Shaka Smart and his coaching staff designed a motto for the team to use to keep that in mind: ‘our time, right now.’
It hasn’t always seemed that way for the Rams this season.
Sure, the team was off to one of the best starts in school history as January ended, when they had a record of 9-1 to lead the CAA. But then February began, and the team’s momentum crashed and burned. The Rams lost four out of five games in the month— including two in a row to bitter rivals Old Dominion and George Mason— and all of a sudden the season went from historic to hellacious.
But the Rams regrouped. They forced a makeover to their mindset. And they focused.
Now, after defeating— and demoralizing— Purdue 94-76 in the Round of 32 in the NCAA tournament, the Rams can finally look back on that motto and realize they seized it.
“The purpose of that [motto] was for our seniors to understand: Eric Maynor is now in the NBA; Larry Sanders is now in the NBA, this is your time,” Smart said. “This is our time.”
It’s also their freshly carved slice of history.
The Rams have now reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in the university’s 43-year history. They’ve also earned themselves the distinction of being only the fifth team from the CAA to ever reach the Sweet 16 or beyond.
How did they get there?
You can’t answer that question without including the name Joey Rodriguez. Rodriguez— a player who almost transferred away from the school after his sophomore season— has been nicknamed ‘The General’ by his teammates.
Tonight he showed why.
The Florida native had a game-high 11 assists— the fifth of which moved him into third all time in that category in school history after passing Ram legend Rolando Lamb— and, perhaps even more vitally, zero turnovers.
“These last three games,” Rodriguez said, “That is all I’ve been trying to do: be a great leader.”
Rodriguez will get a chance to continue leading, this time in San Antonio for a spot in the Elite 8. And that’s the most important part, according to players; they’re not done yet.
“I’m just so happy for everyone in our program,” Smart said. “It’s just been a great ride that we’ve really enjoyed sharing with everyone at VCU.”
Smart has continually said over the past week that, ESPN analysts be damned, the biggest motivating factor to his players was the reality that if they lose, they go home.
They’re not going home yet, and they plan on making a few more headlines along the way.
“VCU can beat anybody in the country,” Purdue head coach Matt Painter said following the loss. “And I believe that.”
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Photos by: Kyle Laferriere
