Scouting Report: VCU vs. McNeese State
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
VCU men’s basketball will face McNeese State University in their first non-conference match at the Siegel Center on Monday, Nov. 6.
The CT Sports staff chose their notable players for this upcoming matchup.
Nathaniel Semunegus, Contributing Writer
Max Shulga – The six-foot-five-inch playmaking guard is a senior who just recently transferred to VCU from Utah State. Prior to college, Shulga played for the U18 FIBA European Championships, scoring double figures in all but two games, according to the VCU Athletics. He had a career year in Utah State, playing and starting in all 35 games with career highs of 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, according to VCU Athletics. Shulga averaged a 42.8% field goal percentage and 36.4% from the three-point line, according to ESPN. His play earned him an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention, according to VCU Athletics.
Kyler Gilliam, Contributing Writer
Zeb Jackson – The six-foot-five-inch guard is entering his senior year at VCU and is a key returner from last year’s roster. The former transfer from Michigan was a consistent contributor to the A-10 champion Rams last season. Last season, Jackson played in all 35 games and averaged 17.3 minutes per while starting in five for the Rams, according to VCU Athletics. Jackson scored double digits in three games last season, seeing his season high against Pittsburgh at the Legends Classic with 16 points, according to VCU Athletics. Jackson was also named team captain by head coach Ryan Odom.
McNeese State
Alexis Washington, Contributing Writer
Christian Shumate- The six-foot-six-inch forward is a redshirt junior at McNeese State. Shumate averaged 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds during the 2022-2023 season, according to ESPN. His athleticism is shown through his 550 career rebounds, ranking him 21st all-time in the McNeese record book, according to McNeese Athletics. He also scored 916 career points and is preseason 1st team All-Southland Conference. Last season, Shumate broke the record for the second most points scored by a sophomore at McNeese, with 512, according to McNeese Athletics. His ability to dominate the basket has him on his way to become just the 32nd player in McNeeese’s history to reach the 1,000-point achievement, according to McNeese Athletics.
Andrew McGhan, Contributing Writer
Nasir Mann – The six-foot-five-inch forward is a newly transferred junior at McNeese State. Mann transferred from Santa Fe College, according to McNeese Athletics. Mann averaged 14.4 points and 6.5 rebounds last year for Santa Fe, according to McNeese Athletics. He recorded double-figures in eight games last season with a season high of 18 points against Central Pointe Prep, according to McNeese Athletics. Mann also recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds against Central Pointe Prep on Dec. 16 during his first season, according to McNeese Athletics. Mann tied for second on the team with 53 three-pointers made last season for Santa Fe, according to McNeese Athletics.
