A new week has begun around the Commonwealth and a new docket has arrived off the presses! Last week was rough for VCU Men’s & Women’s Basketball suffering defeats and now focus on improving over these next 7 days. There are two opportunities for a bounce back on the women’s side while the men plan on shocking some Shockers at the Siegel Center. Let’s take a look at the Docket for the week of December 17th, 2018!
VCU Women’s Basketball: In Need Of A Reversal
Old Dominion vs. VCU went down at the Ted last Sunday and the Monarchs held off the Rams 60-57. The game went back and forth between rivals until the 3rd quarter where ODU outscored VCU 20-9. VCU was able to get back into the game late in the 4th quarter however the Monarchs had just enough juice in the tank to win by 3 points.
That’s now two consecutive defeats for VCU Women’s Basketball as the Rams dropped to 6-4 overall. This week on the docket is a home game versus Radford followed by another road test at N.C. A&T.
vs. Radford (4-4)
The Big South’s preseason favorite has gone through a ringer of games and the Radford Highlanders sit sturdily at .500. Radford’s biggest win thus far was a 57-44 victory at Virginia in Charlottesville. Morehead State got the best of the Highlanders in their previous game with a 79-72 win at Radford.
Radford’s biggest strength is rebounding with 41.8 RPG. Savannah Felgemacher leads the Highlanders with an eye-opening average of 12.5 RPG plus a 13.8 PPG for a double-double performance after playing 6 games. Alongside her is Lydia Rivers with 9.5 RPG. These ladies are the Radford rebounding crew and VCU must put an emphasis of locking these two down when battling for the ball.
Another big factor will be turnovers with VCU currently averaging around 18 per contest while Radford only has 14. The Rams could give the Highlanders fits with their defensive pressure and speed to pry that ball loose.
At N.C. A&T (2-7)
A 2-7 overall, the Aggies out of the MEAC is the type of opponent that VCU needs to cure their road struggles. N.C. A&T is 1-3 on their home floor and have a scoring margin of -4.8.
C’Coreia Foy is the lead Aggie scoring wise (12.5 PPG) while Alexus Lessears is the more consistent shooter from the field (56% shooter, 9.7 PPG). N.C. A&T has a tough time in the 3rd Quarter being outscored 161-110 by their opponents after halftime.
The Aggies have a fight with a not-so-powerful bite. Their 3 ball is lacking at 26% per contest and from the field N.C. A&T shoots 37%. A rebounding presence is there and turnovers are common all over the court. Simply put: VCU comes into this contest as a heavy favorite.
If VCU is capable of adjusting on the fly, getting their lead scorers going early and establish control off the glass, then the Rams could turn two losses into two victories this week. Also, keep that #8 nationally ranked scoring defense hungry for turnovers.
Wednesday, December 19th: VCU vs. Radford (6 PM, Siegel Center)
Friday, December 21st: VCU at N.C. A&T (2 PM)
VCU Men’s Basketball: Shock The System
College of Charleston came to the Siegel Center and left with an 83-79 win over VCU last Saturday. Jarrell Brantley and Grant Riller had great performances for the Cougars and took charge against the Rams in handing them their second consecutive defeat.
Sitting at 7-4 overall, VCU is back to work on turning this losing skid around. In order to that, they must be victorious at the Stu against a familiar Black & Gold foe.
Vs. Wichita State (6-4)
“You Don’t Wanna Go To War….with the Shockers RAMS!!!” Besides the war in the stands over that chat, Wichita State vs. VCU will definitely be a war worth watching on the court. History is on VCU’s side (who misses ESPN BracketBusters right?) so what’s the match-up looking like in the present day?
Well for Wichita State the Shockers are young but very effective. Davidson was able to beat Wichita State 57-53 in the Charleston Classic. Oklahoma gave the Shockers an 80-48 waxing in Oklahoma City that turned into two consecutive wins as a response over Jacksonville State and Southern Mississippi.
Now after a game versus Oral Roberts on Wednesday, Wichita State travels down to RVA to take on VCU. Markis McDuffie is balling as a senior leader with his shooting and playmaking abilities. Samajae Haynes-Jones has become a consistent scorer and joins McDuffie at the three for a deadly combo if VCU’s perimeter defense is not operating.
Trees are among the paint with a 37.9 rebounding average for the Shockers. So if you are a fan of fast pace basketball and a bar fight in the paint…well, make sure you tune in on Saturday.
Saturday, December 22nd: VCU vs. Wichita State (4 PM at Siegel Center, 📺: ESPN 2)
Andddddd…that’s the Docket for this week! Good luck to VCU as always and let’s get back to winning like the Rams do best. For more information on these contests, hit up VCUSports.com and check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 🐏
