We’re off and running along with VCU Men’s Basketball as the Rams prep for their Homecoming game versus North Texas on Friday Night. Here are my Three Wishes that will bring jubilation to the Black & Gold while keeping the Homecoming parties bumping post-game.
Last Wishful Batch
vs. Saint Francis (PA), 72-58 Win!
- Wish #1: 10 or Fewer Turnovers, DENIED! (18 Turnovers for VCU)
- Wish #2: 40+ Points in the Paint, GRANTED!! (42 Points At The Rim!)
- Wish #3: Flashy VCU Reserves, PUSH (Not enough backup flash…)
Wish #1: VCU outrebounds Mean Green by +10
North Texas established paint dominance in their season opener versus Oklahoma Christian. A 38-14 paint scoring advantage along with a 39-19 rebounding curve to completing shun the visitors away. Out of those 39 rebounds, North Texas grabbed 11 offensive boards.
Marcus Santos-Silva shined over everyone versus Saint Francis with his 18 rebound tally. If you take those away, the Red Flash would have won the rebounding war 39-24. In this Friday night duel on the hardwood, my wish is that Santos-Silva is not a one-man phenom down there. Hey Genie, unleash that Ram Army in the trenches!
Three members of the Mean Green collected 6 rebounds (2 Forwards & A Guard). Sensing another challenge at the basket yet the Rams counter-punch and collect their rewards.
Wish #2: Breakout Ram = Mike’l Simms
Simms had a rough start to the season with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 0 points on Tuesday. This matchup coming up has the potential for VCU’s guards to light things up from downtown. The VCU senior from Highland Springs only took a solo three-point attempt and I’m wishing that Simms let it fly.
While the war down low commences, opportunities for the trio of Evans, Jenkins, Sims will appear on kick-out passes. HAVOC hierarchy please arm #1 with the hot hand on this night to make the Mean Green weep repeatedly.
Mike’l Simms: 15 PTS, 3-of-4 3P, 4 REBS, 4 AST
Wish #3: Free Throws, 75% or Better
Other than turnovers (which will decrease BTW!), free throws had plenty of Ram fans quietly cringing with every rim clank. 60% from the charity strike on 15-of-25 attempts is not awful but not great…
This wish builds off on Wish #1 since fouls and the paint go hand-in-hand. Santos-Silva went 5-of-8 and Corey Douglas was a perfect 2-for-2. Breathe In, Breathe Out. Inhale. Exhale. Buckets. When did this become a yoga instruction suddenly?
VCU Free Throw: 77% Free Throw Percentage (14-of-18)
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The Day After: Got One! More To Come.
VCU takes on North Texas at the Siegel Center on Friday, November 8th. The Homecoming game begins at 7 PM on MASN.
