Game Thread: VCU @ Charlotte (Saturday 2/9/13)

[xu95]

VCU

vs

Charlotte

Records: VCU (18-5, 6-2 A 10) / Charlotte (17-5, 5-3 A 10)
Game time: 7PM EST
TV: None
Radio: VCU 107.3 FM / Charlotte ESPN 730 AM & WLON 1050 AM
Websites: VCU / Charlotte

[vcurams05]

Looking for a tough road test in what seems to be one of the better home court advantages in the entire league. The prettier the game is the better off VCU will be. If this thing turns into a street brawl rockfight it's gonna be a long night for the Rams. On that note 73-65 Rams.

[BigE]

Ram Nation taking 2-1/2 buses (as of yesterday) + cars to the game

[paulxu]

Originally Posted by vcurams05

The prettier the game is the better off VCU will be. If this thing turns into a street brawl rockfight it's gonna be a long night for the Rams.

That does not sound like a ringing endorsement for Havoc.

[vcurams05]

Originally Posted by paulxu

That does not sound like a ringing endorsement for Havoc.

By pretty I mean a nice tempo. If Charlotte turns this thing into a full on halfcourt mauling with both teams shooting 27% we are in trouble. We would rather get up and down the court, force some turnovers and get some bunnies on the offensive end.

[antboy]

I think VCU will get some turnovers, even at home Charlotte is usually pretty generous in giving the other team the ball whether forced or not. This may be a game where the loss of sg/sf Mayfield really hurts, as he was the most confident against pressure (dribbling and passing).

But I don't expect a pretty game, the Niners have managed to turn most of their games, particularly home games, into really ugly affairs.

The Niners homecourt advantage this season has been surprisingly good. They've gotten favorable calls at home in the past, but not quite to this degree to where I'd say the Niners get similar advantages to some of the teams with bigger arenas. With the new style of play, that makes the Niners pretty tough at home. That said, if VCU is hitting their 3's, and they seem to take a lot of them, then it could still be a long night for Charlotte.

If Charlotte wants to stay up near the top of the standings and compete for some kind of postseason (including NIT), they'll need to steal a game against a top team.

[cakewalk5]

Originally Posted by antboy

I think VCU will get some turnovers, even at home Charlotte is usually pretty generous in giving the other team the ball whether forced or not. This may be a game where the loss of sg/sf Mayfield really hurts, as he was the most confident against pressure (dribbling and passing).

But I don't expect a pretty game, the Niners have managed to turn most of their games, particularly home games, into really ugly affairs.

The Niners homecourt advantage this season has been surprisingly good. They've gotten favorable calls at home in the past, but not quite to this degree to where I'd say the Niners get similar advantages to some of the teams with bigger arenas. With the new style of play, that makes the Niners pretty tough at home. That said, if VCU is hitting their 3's, and they seem to take a lot of them, then it could still be a long night for Charlotte.

If Charlotte wants to stay up near the top of the standings and compete for some kind of postseason (including NIT), they'll need to steal a game against a top team.

IMHO, it comes down to 3's. If VCU hits them, it will be a long night for Charlotte. If someone's cold...watch out.

[UMass87]

VCU will not get away with the physicality of their play in Charlotte. Expect a lot of free throws in this game.

[moss2k]

Key to the game for Charlotte, value the ball. If they can't do that, it won't be pretty.

[afinerniner]

Originally Posted by BigE

Ram Nation taking 2-1/2 buses (as of yesterday) + cars to the game

Congrats, shouldn't be hard for the students to drown that out.



The only thing I will predict is a very physical game.

[rworkman09]

The only reason I give Charlotte a chance in this game is because we are playing at home. We literally give games away in the form of turnovers. We make turnovers, dig ourselves into a hole, and our bad offense simply can't make up for it. The Temple game has been the only exception this year that we've gotten down big and climbed back into it, but we still managed to quite literally give the game away in the closing minutes.

The game should be fun though. I know the student allotment of tickets was gone in less than 2 days and that is 4500 tickets. I fully expect the game to be sold out on paper and at least 90% full.

[ktabz16]

if vcu gets the same refs as the umass game then the starting five for vcu will foul out in the first half.

[vaNtR]

I don't understand Chris Braswell. The kid could be an NBA All-Star if he got his head together. He's the best player in the league talent wise. It's unreal.

[cakewalk5]

Originally Posted by vaNtR

I don't understand Chris Braswell. The kid could be an NBA All-Star if he got his head together. He's the best player in the league talent wise. It's unreal.

Limited athleticism holds him back. And his help defense is a little suspect. But he has good offensive moves when given room. To me, perfect for a European league, but I can't see him in the USA playing.

As for VCU fouling out. If VCU fouls out, Charlotte fouls out (as the team likes the play rough). Could be more rugby scrum than basketball game.

Someone steal the referee whistles before the game.

[vaNtR]

Originally Posted by cakewalk5

Limited athleticism holds him back. And his help defense is a little suspect. But he has good offensive moves when given room. To me, perfect for a European league, but I can't see him in the USA playing.

As for VCU fouling out. If VCU fouls out, Charlotte fouls out (as the team likes the play rough). Could be more rugby scrum than basketball game.

Someone steal the referee whistles before the game.

Listen, I watch Spencer Hawes play in the NBA regularly, and let me tell you, Braswell's defense can't be much worse. He may not be the best athlete on the floor, but I think he's going to get serious looks from the NBA.