Scouting Report: VCU vs Saint Bonaventure
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
The VCU Rams will be hosting the Saint Bonaventure University Bonnies here in Richmond at the Siegel Center on Friday, Jan. 24. Here are some key players to watch out for in the matchup.
VCU
Thailon Wilson, Sports Editor
Joe Bamisile – The hometown graduate student guard leads the black and gold in scoring with 16.6 points per game while also being No. 3 in rebounding with 5.4 per game, according to ESPN. Bamisile is a leader on this Rams team with over 100 games of Division I basketball played as well as over 1,000 points for his career, according to ESPN. After his first season with VCU last year, Bamisile was chosen as a member of the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Second Team, according to Atlantic 10. His ability to score and his tenacity to grab rebounds will be key for this matchup against the Bonnies.
Jenny Allen, Contributing Writer
Max Shulga – The six-foot-five graduate student guard, Max Shulga, is a key component for this VCU team. After being named a part of the 2024 First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference, Shulga has had a strong start to his 2025 season, according to VCU Athletics. In the last two games, Shulga earned 27 points, showing off his ability to put points on the board, according to VCU Athletics. Shulga had four steals and nine assists in the game against Saint Louis, according to VCU Athletics. Shulga’s recent stats have proved his skills on both offense and defense which will require Saint Bonaventure to lock-in on him throughout the game.
Saint Bonaventure
Andrew McGhan, Staff Writer
Chance Moore – The fourth-year guard is a new face to the Saint Bonaventure squad. Moore transferred to Bonaventure from Missouri State University, where he spent two seasons, and also attended Arkansas University for one season, according to GoBonnies.com. He leads the team in points per game with 14.9 and rebounds per game with 7.7, according to GoBonnies.com. Throughout this season Moore has scored at least 20 points three times, according to GoBonnies.com. He scored 27 points against Canisius University, 23 points against Siena College and 23 points again against Saint Louis University, according to GoBonnies.com. The Rams’ ability to slow down Moore’s high scoring and keep him off the glass will be a key factor in the outcome of Friday’s matchup.
Hayden Braun, Contributing Writer
Melvin Council Jr. – The six-foot-four fourth year guard, Melvin Council Jr. will be a key player to watch in the upcoming matchup against VCU. Council has already been named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week this season, according to GoBonnies.com. Just last season, Council earned First Team All-NEC honors and earned a NEC All-Tournament team nod, according to GoBonnies.com. Council is going to be a force in this matchup against VCU. Council’s 14.4 points per game is first on the team, according to sports reference, which is a key factor to the team’s offensive output. Council’s 5.3 rebounds per game and 4 assists per game contribute to well-rounded play. Against VCU’s defense, Council’s ability to create offense while disrupting the other team’s play will be a major factor in this game.
