By Paul Gotham Shaka Smart likes Mark Twain references. Virginia Commonwealth’s fifth-year coach may want to add this one to the repertoire: “Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.” The facts are that VCU led the nation with more than 11 steals a game last season and forced nearly 18 turnovers per contest. The distortion is what … [Read more...] about VCU and the countdown to Havoc
Briante Weber
Briante Weber receives high praise from Phil Martelli
“Briante Weber is the best defender in the country.” - Phil Martelli By: Joe Manganiello There is no substitute for expertise and experience, and more than 19 years of work speaks for itself. Phil Martelli has been the head coach at St. Joseph’s since 1995, and a member of their coaching staff since 1985. He’s been a National Coach of the Year, and he is … [Read more...] about Briante Weber receives high praise from Phil Martelli
Richmond-VCU highlight A-10’s weekend matchups
By Paul Gotham Time is getting tight with the halfway point in Atlantic 10 play a week away. Separation could take place at the top of the table. What's at stake? A first-round bye at the Barclays Center in March. Words of the week - Dayton's Archie Miller on VCU's Briante Weber: “If Briante Weber isn’t the nation’s best defender or the best defensive player in all of … [Read more...] about Richmond-VCU highlight A-10’s weekend matchups
VCU opponents can expect a steady diet of Treveon Graham
By Paul Gotham Shaka Smart called plays for Treveon Graham 24 times in Virginia Commonwealth’s 97-89 double overtime defeat of La Salle last Saturday. VCU’s future opponents can expect more of the same. Graham, the Rams leading scorer with 16.1 a game, netted a game-high 34 on 11 of 21 shooting from the floor and 10 of 16 from the free throw line in 44 minutes … [Read more...] about VCU opponents can expect a steady diet of Treveon Graham
So much for rule changes, VCU creates HAVOC in opener
How much will the increased emphasis on reducing hand checks affect the VCU Rams? Nada. It's a small sample size - one game, and it was against Illinois State (who lost their top five scorers from a year ago and only recently reinstated Daishon Knight), but Shaka Smart's Rams played to their character creating 14 steals and 22 turnovers while committing 21 fouls in a … [Read more...] about So much for rule changes, VCU creates HAVOC in opener