Here at Virginia Commonwealth University, there’s a vibe. As the days go by, from Cary down to Broad Street anticipation builds at a steady pace in October. That anticipation is built towards…an intrasquad scrimmage on a Saturday afternoon?

Au contraire reader, the Black & Gold game is more than that for the Ram faithful in RVA. For those that are on the outside looking in, they may see fans of the Rams getting unnecessarily hype over a practice and a pep rally. When you step inside the Siegel Center, there may be a change of opinion in the workings.

Believe In The Hype

On a Saturday afternoon inside the Stu, Ram fans will gather for a sneak peek of what’s to come in nearly a month’s time. VCU Men’s Basketball will take the court for a fun yet competitive game amongst themselves with the Peppas blasting and the crowd rocking in the stands.

There will be a variety of fresh faces on display; 9 to be exact…well possibly 10 since Issac Vann had to sit last season. Anyway, VCU welcomes 5 freshmen to the ranks and they are Lewis Djonkam, Tyler Maye, Sean Mobley, Marcus Santos-Silva and Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi.

In addition to these gentlemen, fans will also be watching a handful of transfers that made way to VCU:

Marcus Evans (Rice)

Xavier Jackson (Sheridan Junior College)

Khris Lane (Longwood)

Mike’l Simms (Cowley Community College)

Issac Vann (Maine)

All this talent on the court then add Malik Crowfield, De’Riante Jenkins, Justin Tillman and Jonathan Williams to the equation. Saturday’s Black & Gold spectacle can sell a variety of fans just on the names alone.

Enjoy What You See

Saturday is more than a scrimmage; there’s going to be a celebration. Rams will gather and embrace each other with smiles and chatter about the players, Coach Rhoades coming back home, highlights and other conversation topics. And this is just the opening act with Women’s Basketball participating in a scrimmage and the Alumni game to follow.

Heart medicine and happy pills can stay in the medicine cabinet on this day. No stressors applied with all eyes watching VCU Basketball on a Saturday afternoon. Coach Rhoades will get the crowd pumped in his first Black & Gold game as VCU Men’s Basketball head coach. Introductions of players echo, Peppas bringing that Peppa Effect and then showtime at center court commences.

Lingering in the back of people’s minds will be a cluster of thoughts. Oh that Ram has a sweet 3 point shot…he’s going to be a menace on the boards…those Rams work well together…what if you put him at the 2 spot…etc, etc, etc. Ram Nation is a vocal bunch and that will be heard loud and clear from the stands to social media before, during and after the B&G game.

A Saturday B&G Spectacle

On a personal note, I will be watching this with no expectations. No backlash of disappointment if the Fro doesn’t get a double-double or Glaze dishes 8 assists. There will be flashes of greatness and moments of turnover agony and bad decision making. And that’s OK! After all, this is a scrimmage in October correct?

The excitement that VCU Basketball is less than a month away has Ram fans surrounded in a Black & Gold aura. People already have their outfits planned, pre-game spots booked and a plan of attack for parking hopefully. Saturday may just be a practice from the outside view however for the Ram faithful it’s the opening chapter to the new year of VCU Hoops.

After an eventful off-season, VCU earned 40 minutes of friendly competition and fun times galore. Let’s get Rambunctious while the good times bounce inside the Animal.

See y’all soon and GO RAMS!

-Kazie

2017 Black & Gold Rosters

2017 Black & Gold Game Schedule of Events!

When: Saturday, October 14^th

Where: Siegel Center

Start Time: 2 PM (Doors Open at NOON for Rowdy Rams, 1 PM for General Public)

Price: FREE TO ATTEND!

VCU Men’s Basketball Black & Gold Game, 2 PM Start Time

-Two 20 minute halves with a running clock until the 4:00 mark of each half

VCU Women’s Basketball Black & Gold Game, (Following Men’s Game)

-10-minute scrimmage game with a running clock

VCU Men’s Basketball Alumni Game, (Following Women’s Game)

-Two 16 minute halves with a running clock

Mark Turner

Mark graduated from VCU in 2014 with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. He started as a fan of the Black & Gold in the stands his freshman year. Mark was known as "Kazie" for his charismatic fandom with the VCU's student organization the Rowdy Rams. While at VCU he gained experience in sports media with WVCW on a sports radio show called Rowdy Radio. Following graduation, Mark continued crafting his social media skills with the Richmond Kickers while also handling VCU coverage. He is a true fan of the Rams and vocally passionate on and off camera. After the final whistle, you can probably find him at local RVA bar or brewery enjoying a drink and conversation.