Weber steals the spotlight in the season opener

Zachary Holden
Staff Writer

Briante Weber played the best game of his college career, to date, in Friday night’s 80-57 win over the Florida Gulf Coast.

Finishing the game with 13 points, 10 steals, three assists and one rebound, Weber played a crucial role in the win.

The record for steals in a game was seven, set by LaMar Taylor back in 2001 against James Madison and has been repeated five times since then, most recently by Joey Rodriguez in 2008 against Delaware.

Weber nabbed his record-breaking eighth steal of the game with over seven minutes to go in the second half. He proceeded to add two more, and completed the first ever double-double of his collegiate career.

“Shoot, I’m just as shocked as everyone else, I wasn’t even counting,” Weber said. “(It’s) just something I can add to a record book. But I’m not worried about it, I’m worried about being a team player and going out there and doing what coach Smart wants us to do. The steals will come.”

After being named to the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Defensive team, pressure was on Weber to produce solid defensive numbers throughout the season. With his opening performance Friday, it’s clear why he was named to the team.

“(Briante) has the quickest hands I’ve ever seen, he just makes so many plays happen with quick hands,” said VCU head coach Shaka Smart. “I’ve coached some good defensive players, but in terms of our guy just getting his hands on the basketball all the time, Briante is certainly in a special class.”

Although he’s known as a defensive player, Weber’s 13 points were second-best on the team. His offensive ability has increased since last season and Smart is well aware of it.

“I told him coming into the offseason that when he falls in love with working on the game, not just playing the game then he’ll see his results skyrocket,” said Smart.

Weber’s teammates know what he’s capable of and push him to perform at the highest level night after night. If he continues to play like he did against the Eagles, he may even sneak into the starting lineup.

“I tell Bri all the time, ‘when you get in the game, be a game changer’,” said Rob Brandenberg. “He has the ability to do that. Not a lot of players can change the game (like him).”

“He’s played well enough to be a starter,” said Smart. “I consider him to be a starter…in terms of how good of a player he is and how well he’s playing.”

A recurring criticism of Weber is his lack of discipline at times. He’s the type of player who knows how good he is at stealing the ball, and sometimes goes for a steal, but is called for a foul.

Nonetheless, Smart is looking forward to Weber’s play this season and for seasons to come.

“Briante’s got a lot of potential, he can be really good,” said Smart. “I’m glad we have him on our team.”

Florida Gulf Coast head coach Andy Enfield was in awe of Weber’s play. He praised Weber’s anticipation and quickness regardless of the situation he was in and said that’s a big reason he’s such a talented player.

“I’ve coached in the NBA and the ACC and [Weber is] as quick and can change directions and cover ground as well as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Enfield said. “I’ve been coaching for 17 years now and he’s as good as I’ve ever seen.”

VCU finished with 20 steals against the Eagles. Coming off an NCAA-leading 381 steals last season, there were questions if the Rams could match that number this year with the loss of Bradford Burgess.

If the Rams can play like they did in the opener, that number could be topped this season.