New-look Rams put on a show in Black and Gold Game
Rams basketball officially kicked off its 2017-18 season Saturday with the annual Black and Gold Game at VCU’s Stuart C. Siegel Center.
This year’s inter-squad scrimmage was perhaps more anticipated than in years past, as it marked the debuts of newly-appointed head coach Mike Rhoades and 10 new players. In front of a packed house, several of the new faces gave fans reasons to be excited for the upcoming campaign.
Following the departure of fan-favorite big-man Mo Alie-Cox, many saw a glaring hole for the Rams down low. Those would-be fears were dissuaded Saturday as the Rams’ new frontcourt put up an impressive showing.
Graduate transfer Khris Lane led all scorers with 15 points, propelling his Gold Team to knock off their Black Team counterparts 56-45. The former Longwood University Lancer rounded out the stat sheet, chipping in 9 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.
“He knows how to put the ball in the hole,” Rhoades said of his fifth-year big. “You’re going to see a lot of good things from him this year.”
Lane was joined by Gold teammate and fellow big-man Marcus Santos-Silva, as the freshman recorded the game’s only double-double performance with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Rhoades said he’s been extremely impressed with the progression Santos-Silva has made over the course of the offseason. The Taunton, Massachusetts product has lost over 30 pounds since arriving on VCU campus this summer.
“He bought into his body and work ethic,” Rhoades said. “He’s going to be a big piece for us.”
Several of Santos-Silva’s fellow freshman also had strong showings in their first taste of Siegel Center action.
Gold teammate Tyler Maye tallied 11 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds, with a block and steal each. The next in a long line of fan-favorite point guards, Maye made a quick impression on VCU’s new head man, who looks forward to his progression as a floor general.
“He’s getting more comfortable out there,” Rhoades said. “The next step for him is to command this team as a point guard.”
Fellow freshmen Sean Mobley and Lewis Djonkam each added eight points and five rebounds in their Black Team’s losing effort.
Of the Black and Gold’s five returning players, perhaps the most impressive performance came from the one who didn’t log a single minute last season — sophomore transfer wing Issac Vann. The Bridgeport, Connecticut product scored 12 points during his mother’s first trip to the Stu to see her son play for the Black and Gold.
Throughout the contest, Vann operated as sort-of point-forward for the Gold squad, carrying the ball up the floor on several occasions. Rhoades said this is something fans will see a lot more of during the upcoming campaign and beyond.
“[Vann] has a great feel for the game,” he said. “He’ll handle the ball a lot for us this year.”
The Rams’ other returning ball-handler, senior point guard Jonathan Williams, had perhaps a quieter-than-normal afternoon at the Stu, posing a seven-point, five-assist stat line.
Rhoades said Saturday was more of a feeling-out period for the fan-favorite Williams, as the speedy point guard adjusts to his role as the team’s de-facto leader following the graduation of longtime floor-general JeQuan Lewis.
“My biggest demand on Johnny is to be a great teammate, but also be a great leader,” Rhoades said. “He’s going to have a phenomenal year.”
With senior forward Justin Tillman taking a precautionary seat due to a sprained foot, the final two returning Rams — rising sophomore guards De’Riante Jenkins and Malik Crowfield — stepped up on both ends of the floor. Jenkins put up 12 points on 5-13 shooting and Crowfield chipped in with a well-rounded 5-point, 4-rebound, 2-assist and 3-steal outing.
Overall, it was a strong debut for Rhoades’ new-look Rams. The scrimmage featured a quicker pace and more full-court defense than what fans had experienced under former coach Will Wade, perhaps suggesting the full-blown return of Shaka Smart’s famous “Havoc” playstyle.
“I loved our energy and how our guys shared the ball and went after the ball,” Rhoades said following the scrimmage. “We’ve gotten better at doing what we want to do on both ends of the court; this style of play is hard.”
The new head man added he was thrilled to be back in front of the home crowd at the Stu after spending three seasons in charge at Rice University.
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” he said. “I came in this morning just thinking, ‘This is great.’ It’s a great privilege.”
Following the Black and Gold Game was a 10-minute womens’ inter-squad scrimmage and the annual Black and Gold Alumni Game. This year’s contest featured several Rams greats, such as Larry Sanders, Eric Maynor, Joey Rodriguez and Calvin Duncan.
The Black and Gold finish off their preseason preparation with an exhibition against nearby Virginia Union University on Nov. 3.
Nick Versaw
Staff Writer