Being connected as a team – from top to bottom – has been VCU’s priority from day one.
By: Joe Manganiello
BROOKLYN — Even with their loss in the Atlantic 10 final on Sunday, VCU is a strong team with a chance of winning multiple games in the NCAA tournament.
Why the Rams might be successful in March – and in April – is not wholly based on their talent, but is also because of something bigger than statistics and measurements.
VCU is unified, connected to something bigger than itself.
“Whatever we do, we have to do it together,” Head coach Shaka Smart said. “It’s important we are connected in good times and in tough times.”
The team chose to symbolize their brotherhood by wearing a chain during this weekend’s conference tournament. The chain represents the entire team – not just the players, but the coaches, graduate assistants, trainers.
“There are 30 links for all 30 members of our team,” freshman Mo Alie-Cox said. “Every member’s initials are on a link.”
“It’s to stay connected as a team,” junior Treveon Graham said. “For us to be as one.”
“Our No. 1 theme for this year was we wanted to be connected and we want to be tied together as a team; whatever happens, we do it together,” Smart said. “We really want to encourage members of our team to lift each other up when things got tough, and the chain is just a symbol of that.”
During each of their three basketball games this weekend, the chain was on the bench, finding its way randomly to someone new throughout the game.
Smart has a deep team (he played 11 players for at least four minutes in Friday’s win against Richmond), so as new players run onto the floor to play Havoc defense, the chain finds its way around many different necks.
The chain of unity is something the players want to keep around for next week’s NCAA tournament, where VCU will be a popular choice to win multiple games for the first time since the surprise 2011 Final Four run. VCU has lost in the Round of 32 each of the last two NCAA tournaments, and 2011 remains their only year advancing beyond the Round of 32.
“We should [keep it for the NCAA tournament],” Graham said. “No reason to change it now. We’re playing for our seniors – looking to go on a run for our seniors.”
“You’ve all heard me say, you’re as strong as your weakest link,” Smart said. “So we want everyone to understand that if we can all be tough together and stay connected, then nobody can break us.”
Joe Manganiello (@JoeMags_hoops) is a staff writer for pickinsplinters.com. He was published in the 2013-14 USA Today Sports College Basketball Preview. Peace, love, recycle and ball.
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