VCU to A-10 Billboard
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2012/oct/24/vcu-basketball-outlook-39294-vi-42777/ (video from Shaka, Rob Brandenberg, and Darius Theus)“When people think of VCU, they think of a lot of guards, running back and forth,” Reddic said. “But this year we’ve made it an emphasis on getting the ball inside because we noticed it worked for us last year.”
Reddic sheds the vibe of a weary post-player worn down from a arduous offseason. He exposes open wounds on his hands; a product of what Smart has called “the dog days of practice.” But Reddic is just getting started.
He’s dealt with the back issues, undergone the surgery, and added the necessary weight. Reddic said he feels like he’s grown into his own body and wants to expand his game. He’s polished his silky mid-range jumper that compliments his sky-towering hook shot.
But like coach-speak, the work isn’t done. More is expected of Reddic, and more is expected from him in a better league.
“Juvonte is not playing around, he’s been consistently good on the court,” junior forward D.J. Haley said. “You can expect to see some pretty good things from him this year.”
The only Virginia basketball program of the last 15 years to advance in consecutive NCAA tournaments is poised to sustain that excellence in 2012-13.
"Any time we take the floor, we believe we can win," VCU coach Shaka Smart said Wednesday at the team's preseason media gabfest.
As well the Rams should.
Off the bench, Johnson could provide sorely needed 3-point shooting. Teammates said he showed virtually unlimited range during the Rams' summer exhibition tour of Italy.
"Melvin's a great shooter," point guard Darius Theus said. "I feel he can help us right away. He's one of those kids who has a lot of confidence in himself, and it shows."
Asked if the NCAA tournament is VCU's annual standard now, Smart answered quickly and succinctly: "Yes it is."
With fans who pack every home game and an administration committed to building a practice complex, Smart has the tools to meet, and exceed, expectations.
It’s been a while since a VCU sophomore received the type of preseason pub Treveon Graham is getting these days. Luke Winn of Sports Illustrated labeled Graham the No. 1 sophomore breakout threat in the country. Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports Network, in addition to his volcanic musings, wrote that Graham was likely to emerge as the “go-to scorer” of this year’s team; one that is of top-25 quality, according to many national writers.
Don’t expect VCU coach Shaka Smart to be the guy to pump the brakes on those expectations. He’s even willing to go a step further.
“I’ve always had extremely high expectations for Tre,” Smart, entering his fourth year with the Rams, said. “When we recruited him, I told him I felt like he could be the all-time leading scorer at VCU. He might have thought that was just a recruiting line, but I really meant that.”
After a 1-of-16 shooting slump to start the year – “nerves”, Graham says – the Washington, D.C. native recovered to average 7.0 points in 16.7 minutes per game. He also drew a team-high 6.0 fouls per 40 minutes last season. Everyone, from Shaka Smart to the janitors at the Siegel Center, expects those numbers to go up this year, and that’s fine by Graham. He says Smart’s talk of chasing Maynor didn’t bother him. Instead of chalking it up to recruiting-speak, Graham says Smart’s confidence empowered him.
“At first it did, but as I got here, they really made me feel like I could break the record, so now I’m really heading towards that,” Graham said. “He knows how to motivate the team, and that really helps us in games.”
As much as he’s trumpeting Graham’s potential, Smart also knows where to draw the line.
“Nobody has higher expectations for him than I do. Sometimes I’ve got to check myself in practice because I’m especially hard on him,” Smart admits. “And the biggest thing for Tre is that he’s confident.”
3. REDDIC READY TO GO
The time is now for Juvonte Reddic. VCU’s best pro prospect, the 6-9 Reddic will log more minutes on the interior this season than any other player on the Rams roster and he looks more than ready to trade blows with the best big men in the Atlantic 10. Often inconsistent last year as a sophomore, Reddic appears to be more reliable than he was all of last season. Pencil him in for 13 points and seven boards a game.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
There’s not that much of a difference from this Rams team and the one we saw push Indiana to the brink in the third round of last year’s NCAA Tournament. VCU looks ready to again push the pace as often as possible and should be deeper at all spots on the floor. Briante Weber should be one of the better defensive guards in the country and will be a key reserve for the Rams as they look to attack the other team’s point guard defensively. The style will stay the same for the VCU but the competition level will definitely rise. We think they’re more than ready to embrace that concept, but whether or not they can win a league in which they’ve never played in is yet to be determined
In the latest installment in our college basketball preview series it’s time to take a look at some of the best backcourts in America. Guard play is a focus of analysts every March, and with the disappearance of the true center over the years it should come as no surprise that many of the teams that make waves have superior guards. Below are the top 15 backcourts in the country heading into the 2012-13 season, with some honorable mentions as well.
15. VCU
Players: Darius Theus, Rob Brandenburg, Briante Weber, Troy Daniels, Treveon Graham, Teddy Okereafor, Melvin Johnson
Leading scorer Bradford Burgess may be gone but Troy Daniels averaged just over ten points per game last season and Darius Theus led the Rams in assists. Treveon Graham provided an offensive spark off the bench last year as he averaged 7.0 ppg in just under 17 minutes of action, and Briante Weber may have averaged 4.9 ppg but he did lead the team in steals. Brandenburg and Okereafor will add even more depth, and VCU landed a major pickup when Melvin Johnson committed during the summer.
St. Joe's C.J. Aiken was #6 and Chaz Williams was an honorable mention.10. Briante Weber (VCU): Shaka Smart’s squad is expected to compete for the Atlantic 10 crown during its debut because of the gritty defense that’s become his program’s identity. Weber, a sophomore, led the CAA with 77 steals last season, despite averaging just 18 minutes per game. He was first in Pomeroy’s steal percentage ratings (6.99), too. So he’s not just an effective component for a defense that was ranked No. 22 in adjusted defense. He’s more efficient than any player in the country.
Shaka Smart captured the imagination of the college basketball world two seasons ago by steering his VCU team to the Final Four with a bravado that showed in his players. At no point in its Final Four run did VCU feel as if it was an underdog. That approach will pay dividends as VCU moves out of the CAA and into the rugged Atlantic 10. Smart has the luxury of taking a veteran roster into the new league; five of his best players are upperclassmen, and two sophomores -- Briante Weber and Treveon Graham -- played extensively in their first collegiate season.
5. Troy Daniels, Virginia Commonwealth Rams
Daniels, the sleeper on this list, is a 6-5 designated shooter who last season attempted 247 of his 299 shots from beyond the arc. He gets a number of his scoring opportunities playing off the penetration of Darius Theus and Rob Brandenburg, moves well to find open space and is always ready to take a shot. The Rams run a number of different spread-ball screen sets where Daniels comes off a baseline screen or behind the roll as the replace man. He is also benefits from the Rams' full-court system that creates turnovers and produces open-floor opportunities.
Under 'Best mid-major team':Glockner
VCU: The Rams' chances in their debut season in the Atlantic 10 are being understated by some, and they should be an extremely dangerous team come March. They return everyone but Bradford Burgess from last season's Round of 32 squad and added two big-time freshmen to the mix. The overall grind of the A-10 will get them a few nights in January and February, but you do not want to see this team in your NCAA regional. In a year with no truly dominant team expected, the chances of someone popping up in Atlanta are decent, and the Rams are as good a pick as any to make another run.
Winn
VCU: Rams' backcourt depth (they have six quality guards!) is unmatched, and it should allow them to play pressure D at an elite level. Look for sophomore Treveon Graham to have a breakout season as a high-usage scorer.
11. Atlantic 10 breakout star: Treveon Graham, VCU. The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 7.0 points in 16.7 minutes as a freshman and showed an ability to get to the foul line. Expect his production to rise this season with Bradford Burgess having graduated.
27. In a deep Atlantic 10 with six teams capable of finishing first, VCU will emerge from the pack. The Rams have the talent, depth and experience to seamlessly handle the step up in competition from the CAA.
#10 VCU: Darius Theus, Briante Weber, Troy Daniels, Treveon Graham, Teddy Okereafor, Rob Brandenburg
TheCommodoresRams may not have a clear star, but they have a surplus of high-quality guards who should help them earn, at very least, an at-large NCAA tournament bid in their first season in the Atlantic 10. Theus emerged late last year as a clutch playmaker, Weber led the nation in steal percentage, and Graham is primed for a breakout sophomore season as a wing scorer.
Add to that places and fans they've never encountered before. This will be a struggle "middle of the pack" year for both VCU and Butler. Not sure why the so-called experts would put either in the top 4 in the A10 knowing that both are going to face new challenges including travel as well.It’s no great shame to lose to Witchita State, but the Shockers certainly laid out the blueprint for beating the Rams.
Try to contain Reddic (WSU’s one failure). Box out and keep VCU off the offensive glass. Force the Rams to take jump shots. And take care of the ball.
Just don’t expect most A-10 teams to be able to do this.
One big reason is because there is only one Gregg Marshall. I am a huge fan. I think he is the best college coach never to have won a championship or coached in a BCS league. He’d be the first guy I’d hire if I were AD of a bigtime school and I needed to replace a Calhoun or Izzo.
Last night’s win is a prime example. WSU lost almost all its top players from last year’s excellent team. VCU lost one key player and was playing at home. And yet, Marshall got his newly configured team to jell in short order and beat a much more experienced squad on the road in a very loud arena.
Impressive.
I expect VCU to do very well this year. I expect the offense to improve and the Rams to shoot better. Aside from SLU and Temple, they won’t play a team like WSU in the A-10.
If they don’t shoot consistently, however, the Rams won’t vie for the league title. There’s just too many good teams in the A-10 for that to happen.
2009 19-1 at home 8-8 awayThe travel and opposing arenas have never really bothered VCU since Shaka has arrived.
If a team is "not bothered" as the poster insinuated, you wouldn't see a drop in the win percentage on the road. Of course 60.5% is good for road winning percentage, but that wasn't the point of the objection.Is there a team in this conference that would look at a 60.5 road winning percentage as a bad thing? And don't argue the drop between home and away, winning on the road is hard if you're playing good teams.