At the hands of the Rams: NBA prospects watch their college careers end in VCU’s run

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VCU not only shocked the world with its run to the Final Four, it put an end to the college careers of several very notable athletes.

Bradford Burgess blocks an attempt from USC junior Alex Stephenson

Jim Swing
Assistant Sports Editor

Commonwealth Times’ Sports Twitter

Over the course of the NCAA tournament, tears of sadness and tears of joy become an everyday occurrence as several careers flourish and others come to an end.

During the VCU men’s basketball team’s improbable run from the First Four to the Final Four, the word mercy was absent from the playbook as the Rams surged through the tournament, leaving the college careers of many notable players in the dust.

Bradford Burgess blocks an attempt from USC junior Alex Stephenson

March 16, 2011: Alex Stephenson and Nikola Vucevic, USC
When VCU drew USC from the perennial power Pac-10 conference to compete in the first ever First Four “play-in” game, there was speculation as to whether they could handle the Trojans size underneath.

Vucevic (6-foot-10-inch, 240 pounds), a junior, and Stephenson (6 foot-10-inch, 245 pounds), a senior, ranked first and second, respectively in rebounding in the Pac-10 and were slated to tear the Rams to shreds on the boards and in the paint.

Instead, the two teams flipped roles.

VCU out-rebounded USC 40-31 and was undeniably staggering on defense, holding the two upperclassmen to a combined 15 points en route to a 59-46 victory and an appearance in the second round of the tournament.

The Rams gave the world a taste of what was soon to come as the college careers of Stephenson and Pac-10 First All-Team standout Vucevic (forewent his senior season to enter the NBA draft) came to a close.

Georgetown senior Chris Wright looks on as his frustrating season comes to a close

March 18, 2011: Austin Freeman, Julian Vaughn and Chris Wright, Georgetown
This battle in the second round of the NCAA tournament featured two senior-laden teams itching to earn a spot in the Round of 32.

VCU seniors Jamie Skeen, Brandon Rozzell, Joey Rodriguez and Ed Nixon combined for 60 points and 10 rebounds while the Hoyas’ three veteran stars tallied a total of just 18 points on the night.

Freeman – named to the Big East First All-Team after averaging over 17 points per game over the course of the season – was held to just two points against a surging VCU defense.

The dispirited senior sat chagrined on the bench, biting the neck of his jersey and holding back tears as he watched Georgetown’s season and likewise his college career come to an end.

DJ Haley finishes on Purdue senior All-American JaJuan Johnson

March 20, 2011: JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore and Robbie Hummel, Purdue
Much like the two previous games, this matchup was scheduled to be the end of the road for an undeserving VCU team, many doubting analysts said.

The size and length of Purdue would be too much for the Rams who had supposedly squeezed by two struggling teams to make it this far, they said.

Flash forward 40 minutes of play – which included 12 treys by the Rams’ sharpshooters – and you will find all three of the Boilermakers seniors walking off the court in shock and awe.

Hummel – who had missed all season due to a re-torn ACL – let out a flow of tears as his and fellow All-American teammates Johnson and Moore’s careers drew to a conclusion.

Brandon Rozzell works past Florida State senior guard Derwin Kitchen

March 25, 2011: Derwin Kitchen, Florida State
Kitchen came into the 2010-2011 season as one of the top returning point guards in the ACC.

After guiding the Seminoles to the NCAA tournament in the previous two seasons, this one appeared to be special for Kitchen after he posted 10 points to help lead his team past No. 2 seeded Notre Dame and into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1993.

Kitchen had the ball in his hands with just under seven seconds remaining in overtime after having just torched the Rams for 23 points in a nail-biter that had a trip to the Elite 8 on the line.

His playmaking abilities fell short as he drove and passed outside while time expired on Florida State’s season and Kitchen’s career.

Kansas senior guard Brady Morningstar

March 27, 2011: Tyrell Reed and Brady Morningstar
Before Kansas’ matchup with VCU in the Elite 8, there was no lack of experience for Morningstar who had previously been a part of a National Championship, two Elite 8s and three Sweet 16s.

Morningstar’s fellow classmate Reed needed one win to become the player with the most all-time wins in NCAA Division 1 basketball.

But the Rams had different plans for history on this day; becoming just the third No. 11 seed to ever reach the Final Four and the first to ever win five games to get there.

Junior All-American Marcus Morris sat on the sideline with a towel over his head as the Jayhawks’ season came to a close and questions of exiting college early to enter the NBA draft began to rise.

The end was definite for Morningstar and Reed who entered the postgame press conference with red eyes and disparaged looks, as they – along with the nation – had just been shocked.

Aftermath
Many players commit to playing college basketball with the hopes and dreams of one day performing at the next level in the NBA.

While the four seniors on VCU’s squad may never make it to that level, they will forever have the joy of having been a part of one of the most impressive runs in NCAA tournament history, knocking off potential professional stars on their way.

Several of their tournament opponents will move on to play at the next level, but they will always remember the day their college careers came to an end at the hands of the VCU Rams.

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Photos by: Kyle LaFerriere

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