Posted by xAC  2/02/2024 11:22 am | #1 |
Next up: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams
Time: February 4, 2024; 1 PM (ET)
Venue: Siegel Center – Richmond, VA
2022-23 Record: 7-22 (4-12 in A10)
2024 Projection: 10th
Current Record: 18-3
OOC Record: 11-1
A10 Record: 7-2
Common OOC: Charlotte, UMES (VCU defeated both teams handily)
Last Time Out: 69-61 loss to GW in 2022-23 (at GW)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: GW travels to Richmond to take on the VCU Rams in a Sunday matinee. VCU, who was projected to finish 10th in the A10, is coming off an exceptional 11-1 OOC campaign, and is 7-2 in the A10 after a 64-51 win over the Duquesne this past Wednesday. Much like George Mason, VCU relied mainly on their previous year’s roster, developing their players and creating team chemistry that has led them to an unexpected 18-3 overall record. The Rams are led by guard Sarah Te-Biasu, who averages 15.1 ppg and 3 apg. Tamaya Lewis-Eutsey and Mary-Anna Asare are also double figure scorers at 13.0 and 11.1 ppg, respectively. 6’1” Mykel Parham works inside and grabs 8.0 rpg. As a team, VCU averages 62.7 points, while their league-leading defense allows just 51.2 ppg. They score with 40.1% field goal accuracy (35.3% from beyond the arc). Despite their lack of height, they are 2nd in A10 rebounding and 1st in rebounding margin at 11.1 rpg.
About the game: Despite their losses to 2 top tier A10 teams, the Rams have shown that they can win games that they’re supposed to win. VCU has a balanced scoring attack but relies on isolation plays more than the passing game. Trying to figure who to shut down has risks. URI did a great job of finding open shooters who canned their open shots. Te-Biasu and Asare are the Rams best 3-point scorers, and the pair to keep a close eye on. For GW, someone has to step up and support Robertson. In the past 2 games, Robertson has demonstrated exceptional self-control, resulting in her best back-to-back performances of the season. If Lok can’t go, it’ll be important for Brown or Engel to establish themselves early so that Robertson isn’t forced to overcompensate. VCU, who is riding a 10-game home winning streak, can match GW’s defensive intensity and aggressiveness on the offensive glass. A glaring GW deficiency has been the ability to capitalize on second chances and this aspect of their game has to improve. This is due mostly to hurrying and throwing second shots up wildly—this can be fixed.
The next game may provide a brief respite, as the last place St. Bonaventure Bonnies visit the Smith Center on Wednesday evening. Even so, GW can’t afford to look ahead because VCU is a team that will maintain their intensity for an entire game—the Revs have to be up to the challenge.
|
Posted by xAC 2/04/2024 3:11 pm | #2 |
Final Result: VCU races out of the gates and never looks back, defeating GW 71-51.
In the early going, GW could not stop VCU, who scored in a variety of ways. Numerous GW misfires led to easy transition baskets for VCU as they raced out to a 17-4 lead. Red hot VCU, behind 10-15 shooting, runs the lead to 24-10 to end the 1st period. The Rams continued their hot shooting to extend the lead to 32-12 in the early minutes of the 2nd quarter. GW played even for the remainder of the period and went into the locker room down 42-24. The story of the half was VCU’s hot shooting (51.3%), while GW was 2-16 from beyond the arc. Despite taking some good shots, Robertson was only 1-10 from the field. Brown looked really good on her drives and finished with 8 points. Lewis-Eutsey led the way for VCU with 13 points at the half. In the 3rd quarter, early GW offensive miscues precluded a comeback as the VCU lead swelled to 21 points. For the remainder of the period the teams played even and the Rams closed out the period with a 57-35 advantage. New quarter, same results. VCU continued their relentless offense while GW continued to struggle. Down by 28 points, the Revs were forced to take a timeout with 6:41 left to go in the game. After the TO, mass substitutions for GW indicated the game was over. The subs did a good job against the VCU bench over the last 4 minutes, trimming 8 points off the lead. Brown finished with 13 points and 9 boards and Robertson, who finished 2-17 from the field, had 7 points. Te-Biasu, Lewis-Eutsey, and Asare all had double figures for VCU.
Shoutout to VCU’s coaching staff, who has taken last year’s 7-22 team and transformed them into an A10 contender. The development and improvement of their players from last season’s roster is a credit to those coaches. Additionally, the Rams offense had great team chemistry, as they were able to create numerous easy and wide-open shots for each other. VCU won this game in the 1st half, when they shot lights out to start the game. GW’s offense was able to generate numerous good looks at the basket, but could not string together multiple scores. After going down by so many points at the half, the 2nd half performance was predictable. Although Lok only played limited minutes, she would not have been a factor in the outcome. And despite Robertson’s stat-line, she had good looks, but her shots didn’t drop. GW had a ton of open 3’s, but managed to make only 4-24. That’s how this season has gone.
St. Bonaventure comes to town on Wednesday, tied with GW at 1-9 in A10 league play. The Revs need a confidence builder, but can the coaching staff rise to the challenge? GW WBB is at a low point in their history, but a loss here would sink them even lower.
Last edited by xAC (2/04/2024 5:31 pm)
