VCU handles Virginia Union in exhibition game
Zachary Holden Staff Writer The VCU men’s basketball team beat cross-town rival Virginia Union University 94-44 in the season-opening exhibition at the Siegel Center Thursday night. “It’s great to be back on the court, it’s great to be back in the Siegel Center in front of our fans,” said Coach Shaka Smart. “It’s been too […]
Outside shooting to join defense as Rams’ identity in 2012-13
Quinn Casteel Sports Editor Analysis/Opinion Last season, a new look and extremely youthful VCU team won the CAA and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament as a team with a heavily defensive identity not known for lighting up the scoreboard on a nightly basis. Freshman Briante Weber and junior Darius Theus were […]
Okereafor’s emergence gives VCU’s backcourt depth
When the VCU basketball team traveled to Italy over the summer for a brief tour of the country and a few of its pro basketball franchises, the Rams put up several lopsided scores and in their off time did a scavenger hunt which included doing pushups at specific landmarks and visiting such staples as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.What they also found on the trip was potentially the beginning of an emergence for sophomore point guard Teddy Okereafor, who saw additional minutes in the blowouts victories on the trip. Okereafor, who is originally from London, put up big numbers in all areas of the stat sheet especially three pointers and assists.
Veteran big men bullish on freshman center
Quinn Casteel Sports Editor With freshman big man Mo Alie-Cox ineligible to play in games this season, an opportunity has fallen right into the lap of center Justin Tuoyo also entering his first year with VCU. Fortunately for VCU, junior big men Juvonte Reddic and DJ Haley, both starters since their freshman season, are bullish […]
VCU hopes to shine with wealth of guards
Scott Wyant Staff Writer When Shaka Smart arrived at VCU in 2009 he promised to wreak HAVOC on opponents. At the time it was unclear what that meant. Four years later and a team with all but one player recruited by Smart, it’s become much more clear. To cause the HAVOC the Rams employ, Smart […]
Reddic improves in spite of trying offseason
Jim Swing Sports Editor Follow Jim on Twitter The workhorse of the VCU basketball team, Juvonte Reddic, didn’t know he’d be dealing with his most fraught, yet productive summer to date. He began feeling back spasms towards the end of last season, right around NCAA Tournament time. The pain wasn’t bad enough, or nearly enough […]
Bradford Burgess’ departure opens door for breakout sophomore season from Treveon Graham
Quinn Casteel Sports Editor Even as a freshman playing behind VCU’s fourth all-time leading scorer Bradford Burgess, Treveon Graham earned a great deal of respect from players, coaches and fans by showing he has potential to be an offensive threat comparable to Burgess later in his career. At Atlantic 10 Media on Oct. 4, Shaka […]
VCU takes HAVOC to Italy
Quinn Casteel Sports Editor On VCU’s trip to Italy in early August, the Rams came away with a 48 point win and a 71 point win, but more importantly spent time focusing on appreciation, which head coach Shaka Smart said at Atlantic 10 Media Day on Oct. 4 is a core value of the program. […]
Butler coach Brad Stevens preparing for first season in A-10 with, against VCU
Quinn Casteel Sports Editor Thirty-five-year-old head coaches Brad Stevens of Butler and VCU’s Shaka Smart have led notably similar career paths until now, having each innovated new styles of play and established their own brands as recruiters while bringing their respective programs to new levels. Smart’s and Stevens’ histories as coaches have brought them together […]
Recruiting in Richmond still a top priority for VCU and Richmond
Quinn Casteel Sports Editor Benedictine College Preparatory has served the city of Richmond’s two highest profile college basketball programs well. In the last five years alone, the Catholic prep school has produced one leading scorer each for VCU and the University of Richmond. Bradford Burgess recently graduated as the Rams’ sixth highest scorer in team […]