Scouting Report: VCU vs. Iowa State University

VCU men’s basketball will face Iowa State University at the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando, Fla. on Thursday, Nov. 23. 

The CT Sports staff chose their notable players for this upcoming matchup.

VCU

Bersabeh Kemaw, Staff Writer

Max Shulga –  Max Shulga is a 6-foot-5-inch senior guard from Ukraine. He transferred to VCU alongside head coach Ryan Odom, according to VCU Athletics. He was a key playmaker when he attended Utah State University, according to VCU Athletics. Shulga started and appeared in all 35 games his junior year at Utah, averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists, and was an honorable mention for the All-Mountain West, according to VCU Athletics. In summer 2022, Shulga played for Ukraine at the FIBA U20 European championship where he opened the tournament and scored a record-high of 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, according to VCU Athletics. He’s averaged 19.5 points so far this season for the Rams and has had seven assists and two steals, according to VCU Athletics. Shulga is a well-decorated guard and has had much success in both the United States and Europe.

Erica Simpson, Contributing Writer

Zeb Jackson– 6-foot-5-inch senior guard Zeb Jackson has a dominant presence on the VCU men’s basketball team. Jackson appeared in all 35 games for the Rams during his 2022-23 junior season, averaging 17.3 minutes per game, according to VCU Athletics. In his junior year, Jackson drilled a last-minute 15-foot jumper against Rhode Island to make the score 55-54 and ultimately secure a VCU win, according to VCU Athletics. Prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, Jackson along with Odom attended the Atlantic 10 Conference Media Day at the Barclays Center, according to VCU Hoops. Jackson was also named one of three captains for the 2023-24 season, according to VCU Athletics. In the black and gold’s first matchup against McNeese State University, Jackson had a total of 14 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high eight assists, according to VCU Athletics. In VCU’s recent matchup win against Samford University, Jackson played a total of 37 minutes, scoring a total of 13 points, according to VCU Athletics. Jackson currently averages 13.5 points per game with an average of 37 minutes per game, according to VCU Athletics.

Iowa State

Alexis Washington, Contributing Writer 

Tre King-  Tre King is a 6-foot-7-inch senior forward who dominates the leaderboard in points for Iowa State. King averages 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds already this season, according to Iowa Athletics. He led his team in a victory against Green Bay Phoenix on Monday, Nov. 6 when he scored 13 points and eight rebounds, according to Iowa Athletics. Last season, he appeared in 23 games and is one of only three players at Iowa State to shoot over 50% from the field, according to Iowa Athletics. This is his second season playing for Iowa, after sitting out due to NCAA Transfer Rules, according to Iowa Athletics. However, this did not stop him as he led his team in free throw percentages at 77.8% and scored double figures seven times, according to Iowa Athletics. Not only is he smart on the court, but off the court as well. King was honored as a Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll two years in a row and this season was awarded as an Academic All-Big 12 Second Team, according to Iowa Athletics. 

Violet Velasquez,  Contributing Writer 

Tamin Lipsey– Tamin Lipsey is an Iowa native, sophomore guard, and a decorated facilitator for the Iowa State men’s basketball team. This season he has played a total of 81 minutes so far, scoring 21 points, 7 assists, and is shooting 14-28 from the field, according to Iowa Athletics. He started all 33 games his freshman season and solidified the fifth spot on his team for most points per game averaging 7.3. He also ended the season with 146 assists and 73 steals, according to Iowa Athletics.  Lipsey collected many accolades during his freshman season including the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie team, Kyle Macy Award Finalist, Big 12 All-Freshman Team, and Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, according to Iowa Athletics.