VCU's basketball season is underway. Here's what you need to know.
VCU’s basketball team promised to pick up where it left off, and delivered in a never-in-doubt 84-65 victory over Bellarmine on Monday night to open the season.
This year’s season comes with plenty of anticipation, as the Rams bring back most of the roster that reached the NIT last year.
Here’s what you need to know as the Rams march towards the madness…
Going deep
In the Steph Curry era, teams at all levels have increasingly relied on the 3-point shot. This year’s VCU team will take that reliance to new heights.
“They know they have the green light to knock it in and let it fly, but they want to make sure they’re taking the right shots,” coach Ryan Odom said.
On Friday, the team opened with a lineup that had four guards and just one forward, Christian Fermin. There were more traditional looks as well, but Joe Bamisile and Max Shulga were permitted to let the threes fly - and they did.
Shulga made all four of his 3-pointers, and the team made 15 of its 29 overall.
Roster retention
Speaking of Shulga, he took the circuitous route back to VCU for his final college season.
After last year ended, he decided to transfer to Villanova, but a month later changed his mind and returned to the Rams.
His return highlights a team that brings back almost all of its production from last year, a rarity in modern college basketball and a reason the Rams are receiving preseason hype nationally.
Some of the new guys will be recognizable, too. Brandon Jennings is a freshman who played for St. Christopher’s last year, while transfer Phillip Russell has been in college hoops for four years, and has already been identified as the biggest trash talker on the team.
Thrown into the fire
We won’t have to wait long to see if the preseason hype is warranted. VCU has five major nonconference games that will serve to set expectations during conference play, which begins on New Year’s Eve.
This Friday night, VCU heads to Annapolis to face Boston College in a made-for-TV doubleheader that tips off at 6 p.m.
In a twist, Boston College welcomes transfer Chad Venning to its team this year. Venning previously played at St. Bonaventure, and gave VCU one of its worst losses of the season last year at the Siegel Center.
The Rams don’t have an obvious answer for the 270-pound big man, and will lean on Fermin to contain him while the guards keep pace by making shots on the other end.
If Fermin struggles inside, VCU will lean on a pair of Brits - Michael Belle and Luke Bamgboye (pronounced BAM-boy-eh).
The next test comes the weekend of Nov. 21, when VCU plays three games in three days against top competition at the Charleston Classic, then there’s a Dec. 18 game at New Mexico.
If the Rams can win three of those five games, they’ll likely stay on track for an NCAA tournament appearance.
