Game #8 - Virginia Commonwealth University

The Cats continue their travels, this time to Richmond, VA to face A-10 opponent, Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (VCU). 

When: Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 7 pm
Where:   Stuart C. Siegel Center, Richmond, VA

Radio: VCU radio  910 The Fan
-announcers:  Robby Robinson (pxp) & Rodney Ashby (color)

TV/video:  ESPN+

-announcers:   Scott Jackson (play-by-play) and John Feinstein (color)
Conference: A-10
Official Athletic Site:   VCU Athletics
Nickname: Rams 
Location: Richmond, VA
Mascot: Rodney the Ram
Colors: Black & Gold (Yellow)
Students: 29,417
VCU Fan Message Board:  Rams Nation

The Series: This will be the 5th meeting between the two teams in a series that was first played in 1970s. WCU is currently 0-4 overall in the series.

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     VCU   
Head Coach: Mike Rhodes
Rhodes Record at VCU:   61-36 / 4nd year

Ram's record last season (2019-20): 18-13 overall, 8-10  conf., 14-4 home, 4-7 away, 0-2 neutral
Ram's record this season (2020-21): 5-2 overall, 3-0 home, 0-1 away, 2-1 neutral. 

VCU lost five of its top six scorers from a year ago, with longtime stars De’Riante Jenkins, Marcus Evans, and Issac Vann graduating along with sixth man Mike’L Simms. In addition, VCU’s leading scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker, Marcus Santos-Silva, transferred to Texas Tech during the offseason. 

The Rams have only one returning starter from last season, a four-star recruit from Delaware, sophomore guard Nah’Shon Hyland. Hyland started the final nine games of the 2019-20 campaign and averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.  With so many players graduating in 2020, the Rams welcome four freshmen to the team this season. Of the newcomers, the one gathering the most hype is four-star point guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin.

VCU’s full-court press has been its signature for more than a decade. The Rams ranked sixth nationally in turnover per- centage (24.5) last season, and VCU’s 278 steals ranked 10th nationally. The Rams forced 25 or more turnovers in a game three times last season. The Rams have picked up where they left off in 2019-20. VCU has turned opponents over on 25% of possessions. The Rams have at least 15 turnovers in every game, including a season-high 22 on Dec. 5 against Mount St. Mary’s. 

Key Returners: Nah'Shon Hyland, KeShawn Curry, Vince Williams, Corey Douglas

Key Newcomers: Levi Stockard III (Kansas State), Adrian ‘Ace’ Baldwin, Mikeal Brown-Jones, Josh Banks, Jamir Watkins

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