Men’s basketball looks to continue success one game at a time

Thailon Wilson, Staff Writer

VCU is coming off a 74-62 point win against the University of Richmond to bring their overall season record to 15 wins and five losses, while the black and gold conference record changed to six wins and one loss, according to VCU Athletics.

The Rams are currently competing in their conference play schedule, and they ended their non-conference play with a record of nine wins and three losses.

Non-conference play

The VCU team started its non-conference schedule on a two-game winning streak against Manhattan College and Morgan State University at home. 

Afterwards, the Rams headed up to Brooklyn, New York to play in the Legends Classic against Power Five teams, Arizona State University and the University of Pittsburgh. 

During the ASU game, VCU junior starting point guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr. wasn’t able to play after breaking his wrist, which kept him out of the lineup and the Rams fell to the Sun Devils, 63-59, according to VCU Athletics.

The Rams came back to beat the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, 71-67 behind the scoring output of Michigan transfers, junior guard Zeb Jackson and graduate student forward Brandon Johns Jr., according to VCU Athletics.

Baldwin said he was upset that he couldn’t participate in the Legends Classic because those are moments he strives for.

“I was frustrated in myself because I was made for these games, but as a leader I had to use my voice to keep bringing the energy and give the team confidence,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin would eventually return to the lineup and play against Vanderbilt University — where he put up a career-high 28 points to lead the black and gold to win, 70-65, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU head coach Mike Rhoades, said the non-conference schedule was a big help to prepare the team for their conference schedule.

“I think the non-conference helped us and exposed us a lot to what we got to get better at, and how we have to handle things,” Rhoades said. “We still have a long way to go.”

Conference play

The black and gold came back from winter break to play against La Salle University. The game started off with La Salle University taking an early lead.

Rhoades said the team does well to come back from deficits but he wished they started off hot.

“How about we start that fast pace at the start,” Rhoades said. “We’ve been down double-digits too many times and it is something we got to continue to address.” 

After starting off the game slow, the black and gold came back to win the game, 80-67. 

After losing their next game to Duquesne University, the Rams went on to a two-game winning streak against Davidson College and Loyola University Chicago.

The Rams then headed to Dayton, Ohio to face off against the University of Dayton Flyers who were the No. 24 nationally ranked team for the preseason, according to the Associated Press.

The game was contested until the end when VCU sophomore guard Nick Kern stole the ball from Dayton junior forward Toumani Camara and scored the game-winning layup to give the Rams the win, 63-62.

Jalen DeLoach said the tempo of the game is becoming more natural.

“I feel like the game is slowing down for me a lot,” DeLoach said. “If I stay out of foul trouble, we can win any game.” 

The Rams still have a full schedule filled with contested games in the Atlantic 10, but Rhoades said the team’s focus is on the game that is right in front of them.

“I am in the moment when it comes to the next opponent or scouting. Others have different ways they go about it, but that’s just the way we do it,” Rhoades said. “The next game and the game after get bigger if you take care of what’s in front of you.”