A-10 SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: VCU vs. DAVIDSON
Photo by Ali Jones
Matchup: VCU (23-9) vs. Davidson (20-11)
Where: Barclay’s Center, Brooklyn, NY
When: 4 p.m.
Here’s what to watch for:
VCU is set to square off against familiar foe Davidson for the third time this season — a great thing for Ram fans. Knock on wood, but VCU has had little trouble with the Wildcats in the past. In the teams’ first meeting, VCU defeated Davidson 79-69 due to a fast start offensively.
Senior Melvin Johnson — who is suiting up today after limping off the court at the end of yesterday’s game – recorded 21 points last game, junior JeQuan Lewis scored 22 points and junior Mo Alie-Cox had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Much of the success in that contest was based upon VCU racing out to a 29-7 lead in the first half before Davidson got things going. The Wildcats’ Jack Gibbs did go off for 37 points on 11-20 shooting from three.
In the most recent matchup, VCU hosted Davidson on senior night and again came away with a 10 point win, 70-60. Alie-Cox brinked on hitting similar numbers from the first contest as he registered 18 points and nine rebounds.
VCU had a mixed scoring performance as Johnson and sophomore Justin Tillman were the next high-scorers with 16 points and 11. The Rams scored 46 of their 70 points in the paint.
Marquee Matchup:
Of course VCU has to contend All A-10 performer Jack Gibbs, who is a quick bucket whenever he touches the basketball, but it’s another Davidson starter that poses a threat to the VCU defense.
Davidson senior guard Brian Sullivan is averaging 14.2 points per game and shooting 41 percent on his 3-pointers, but this game will not necessarily be a matchup nightmare for VCU to defend against. The way the team has been shooting from deep, if Davidson catches fire early, VCU could be in for a dog fight if they cannot keep pace. Junior JeQuan Lewis and Senior Korey Billbury will need to provide instant offense to help with a gimpy Johnson.
What’s Next:
The winner advances to the A-10 Championship game to play the winner of the Dayton vs. St. Joseph matchup. Tip-off for the finals is set for 12:30 on Sunday.
Sports Editor, Bryant Drayton
Bryant is a sports advocate who’s always smiling. He is a senior print and online journalism major aspiring for a career as a professional or college football columnist. Bryant currently covers high school football games for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. // Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
draytonbo@commonwealthtimes.org
