Scouting Report: VCU vs. University of Dayton
CT file photo by Andrew Hill.
The VCU men’s basketball team will face off against The University of Dayton Flyers in a conference matchup at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, Feb. 7. Here are some of the key players to watch out for in this matchup.
VCU
Alexis Washington, Staff Writer
Luke Bamgboye – The Dayton Flyers need to watch out for the 6-foot-10-inch first-year forward. Bamgboye dominates the paint in blocks and rebounds. He is ranked No. 20 in the country with 46 blocks, according to the NCAA. He had a season high of five blocks against Georgia Southern on Dec. 4, 2024, according to VCU Athletics. In his fourth year of high school, he played in the Chipotle Nationals Tournament, averaging 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, according to VCU Athletics. Bamgboye was named to the Nike Elastic Youth Basketball League All Defensive Team in 2024. His 7-foot-2 wingspan provides rim protection and will secure VCU with a win.
Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer
Phillip Russell – The 6-foot graduate student guard has been the Rams’ spark plug on both sides of the ball, making plays to turn tides all season. Russell is an automatic scorer with 259 total points, averaging 11.8 points per game, according to VCU Athletics. He also shoots 36.2% from three, making him the second-most efficient three-point shooter on the team, according to VCU Athletics. Russell had a season-high 26 points against St. Bonaventure University on Dec. 31, 2024, with 18 points coming from behind the arc, according to VCU Athletics. He is also a hound on defense with 28 steals, tying him for second on the team in steals, according to VCU Athletics. Russell’s high-octane style of play will spark the Rams toward victory.
Dayton
Jenny Allen, Contributing Writer
Nate Santos – In this 2024-2025 season, the 6-foot-7-inch fourth-year forward has been a key player for the Dayton team. During the 2024-2025 preseason, Santos was named to the First Team and received Atlantic 10 honors, according to the Dayton Flyers. Santos recently had his career high, scoring 24 points in a game against Saint Joseph’s University on Jan. 1, according to the Dayton Flyers. Not only is Santos’ ability to score as a forward intimidating, but his skills to get the ball off the board makes him excel. In a game against St. Bonaventure University, Santos had a total of seven rebounds, making his season average 5.4, according to Dayton Flyers. For Dayton to defeat VCU, they will need to focus on giving Santos the opportunity to score and rebound from the paint.
Hayden Braun, Contributing Writer
Enoch Cheeks – The 6-foot-3-inch fourth-year guard is a player to watch out for in the upcoming matchup against VCU. This season alone he has already been a Preseason Atlantic 10 Honoree and All-Defensive Team selection, according to the Dayton Flyers. Cheeks leads his team defensively with 1.9 steals per game while also leading in rebounds at 6.2 per game, according to ESPN. Offensively, he contributes a reliable 13 points per game, according to ESPN. Cheeks is a well-rounded threat who excels in transition and hustle plays. He is going to be a threat in this matchup against VCU.
