Smart’s Havoc hits its stride in win over UNC Wilmington
The hot streak continues for VCU, as they forced 28 UNC Wilmington turnovers en route to their 87-64 win in the two teams’ conference-opener Saturday night.
VCU's Havoc 3,0 was on full display versus UNC Wilmington Saturday night.(Photo by Chris Conway/The CT)
Scott Wyant
Staff writer
Commonwealth Times Sports’ Twitter
Game story
The hot streak continues for VCU, as they forced 28 UNC Wilmington turnovers en route to their 87-64 win in the two teams’ conference-opener Saturday night.
During the NCAA tournament this past March, the nation got a look at what VCU third-year head coach Shaka Smart’s Havoc system did to opponents. On Saturday night this year’s edition cranked it up to that level. The Rams pressured the Seahawks into 28 turnovers and had a school record 20 steals on the night.
But Senior Bradford Burgess says there is potential for even more.
“When we get a lead like that we just gotta keep our focus and stick to our plan. That’s playing Havoc for a whole 40-minutes.” Burgess said. ”We were able to right the ship and get back to our style of play and forced some more turnovers and eventually 28 for the game.”
Darius Theus lead the way for the Rams on the defensive end, tying a school record with seven steals. Five other VCU players grabbed multiple steals as well. That led to a 41-4 advantage in points off turnovers for the Rams.
At halftime the pressure had broken the Seahawks to the point that UNCW coach Buzz Peterson told his players not to bring the ball up court if they were being guarded by Theus or Briante Weber.
“Watching tape of them this time last year compared to now I think they’re a better basketball club,” said Peterson.
The game wasn’t just won on the defensive end; VCU’s offense is beginning to gain momentum as well. Four Rams contributed double-digit point totals (Burgess 22, Reddic 16, Daniels 15, Graham 15) with Rob Brandenberg totaling nine points as well.
Shaka Smart attributes the team’s unselfish play to VCU’s highest output of the season.
“Our guys pull for one another and they try to create plays for one another. Particularly when Troy Daniels gets in the game they want to get him shots,” Smart said. “They do a real good job when we get steals, or get in transition finding Troy and getting him shots.”
VCU will now turn its sights to UAB on Tuesday, but with conference play underway already, the grind of the season has begun.
“It’s a 12-round fight and if it was a boxing match it’s gonna go twelve rounds. You’ve gotta come to play every round,” Smart said. “I think there are a lot of teams in this league that have a chance to win the league right now on Dec. 17 and we’re one of them.”