VCU men’s basketball will take on Samford University at the Siegel Center on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
The CT sports staff chose their notable players for the matchup.
Samford
Jenny Allen, Staff Writer
Jadin Booth — Averaging 18.8 points and nearly 35 minutes per-game, the 6-foot-2-inch graduate student guard is a dominant player for the Bulldogs. Booth has accumulated 150 points this season, according to Samford Sports. Booth previously attended Florida Southern College for four years where he missed the 2023-2024 season due to an injury, however he is making up for it this year. His defensive rebound ability will be a huge threat to the Rams. Booth’s nearly perfect free throw percentage will make the difference in a neck-and-neck game. The Rams will have to lock him down on both sides of the court to win.
Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer
Dylan Faulkner — Standing at 6-foot-9-inches, the third-year forward is going to give the Rams trouble. Faulkner has scored 110 points on 54% shooting from the field and zero made threes, according to Samford Sports. He also gives the Bulldogs second-chance opportunities, cleaning the offensive glass for a team-high 16 offensive rebounds. The Georgia native has hauled in 29 defensive rebounds to combine for 45 total rebounds, the second most on the team. Faulkner’s rim protection is a defensive threat, as he has posted a team-high 15 blocks through eight games played, including a season high of four against the University of Central Arkansas. VCU forwards are going to have to shut him down on offense and box him out if they want to come away with a win.
VCU
Thailon Wilson, Contributing Writer
Lazar Djokovic — The 6-foot-11-inch third-year forward is a dominant all-around force for the Rams. Djokovic started the season hot against Wagner College, where he dropped 21 points, two blocks and five rebounds against the Seahawks. Prior to VCU, Djokovic played for Xavier University and College of Charleston. The big man averages 12 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Black and Gold. His ability to take over games in the paint on offense and defense, as well as his ability to stretch the floor, will be integral for the Rams’ matchup against the Bulldogs.
Alexis Washington, Assistant Sports Editor
Terrence Hill Jr. — This second-year guard’s presence on the court is just what the Rams need. He played 23 games last season averaging 3.4 points, but his perfection at the line set him apart. He went 17-for-17 in free throws, the most made without a miss in VCU single-season history. At 6-foot-3-inches, Hill Jr. is a dominant force on offense, already averaging 12 points a game this season. He just recently scored a career-high 21 points against Virginia Tech on Nov. 28. If the Bulldogs want a chance at winning, they need to keep Hill Jr. away from the three — he went a perfect 5-for-5 his last match.