Charlotte win showed Rams’ character

Zachary Holden
Staff Writer

When the VCU men’s basketball team traveled down to Charlotte to face the 49ers on Saturday night, they knew they’d be in for quite a game.

Entering the night, Charlotte was just a game behind VCU, Butler, and Saint Louis for a share of the lead in the Atlantic 10. Coach Shaka Smart talked about how difficult of a game it was going to be earlier in the week, saying their defense was the best in the country.

Charlotte’s defense showed up as they held VCU to their second lowest scoring performance in a win this season. Emerging victorious 68-61, the Rams handed the 49ers their first home loss of the season.

“That was as physical of a game as we’ve played in a long time and we knew it would be that way,” Smart said. “They did a great job on the board on us, doubling us up in that category, but it’s a testament to the way we defended and really kept the pressure up on them the entire night.”

The Rams weren’t the standout defensive team which is something they aren’t really accustomed to with their HAVOC style of play. Charlotte outrebounded VCU 36-18, 19 of which were defensive. Due to the rebounding advantage, the 49ers outscored the Rams on second chance points 21-11.

Having just played in front of a sellout crowd last week against Massachusetts, Charlotte was sure to bring another rambunctious crowd to try to unsettle the Rams.

“Charlotte had a very loud and hostile crowd and it was a challenge all night,” Smart said. “But credit our guys for creating that energy we need in environments like this and finding ways to win in tough places.”

Tough conference games like this is what separates the good teams from the great teams in the A-10. After two back-to-back losses on the road in a hostile University of Richmond environment, and then home to a surprising La Salle team, questions arose on whether VCU could bounce back with the difficult second half to their conference schedule.

Of the Rams final seven games, six  are against teams one or two games off the top mark in the A-10. The seventh team is Richmond, who will no doubt put forth their best effort again.

The difficult upcoming stretch of Saint Louis and Xavier on the road, followed by Butler at home will really define the season.

The game against the Butler Bulldogs could be the determining factor in who ends up as A-10 regular season champion. Thankfully for the Rams, they’ll have the home crowd to welcome the nationally ranked Bulldogs with memories of the bitter Final Four defeat undoubtedly still on their minds.

“At home, it’s much easier to have that pressure that we do because our fans do an unbelievable job of creating so much energy that our guys really feed off it,” Smart said.