Coming off a tough stretch where the Rams lost two of their last three in heartbreaking fashion,. VCU will look to get back on track today when hosting the Gaels of Iona, the threepeat MAAC champs and preseason conference No.3. They come to the Stu today as VCU's lowest ranked remaining non-conference opponent.
<h4>VCU (5-2)
Iona (2-4)</h4>
<h4>A QUICK LOOK AT IONA</h4>
The Gaels have dominated the MAAC under ninth-year head coach, Tim Cluess, winners of five conference titles in the eight years he's been on campus including the last three seasons, but a streak that looks like it could be in jeopardy this season, thanks largely to a future VCU opponent later in the non-conference: Rider. The Gaels are an experienced group but one that lost some solid production heading into this year including the recently suspended, Roland Griffand (11.2 ppg), kicked off the team for punching an assistant coach. Griffand is one of three double-digit scorers from last year's group to leave the team, but back are the team's two leading returning scorers, junior E.J. Crawford (14.8 ppg) and senior Ricky McGill (13.8 ppg, 6.5 asts). The duo has helped return some offensive consistency from what was a top-100 offense this past season. With that the uptempo Gaels are averaged 77.3 points per game thanks to a group that has been almost elite at drawing fouls. The defense however, has been a whole different story. Iona has given up 86 or more points in four game this season, all losses, and currently ranks as one of the worst three-point defenses in college hoops. The Gaels are 0-3 in true road games this season and 1-1 away from their Hynes Athletic Center home court, a record that includes a loss to kenpom No.217 Long Beach State. Even in victory it's been an ordeal, with Iona's two wins coming by a combined nine points, both against sub-230 teams. They've lost their last seven contests against team's ranked as high as VCU's current team (kenpom No.121).
<h4>A QUICK LOOK AT VCU</h4>
In order to do my "quick look at VCU" I did two long looks this week, rewatching both the Hofstra and ODU games to see what's been the difference for the Rams from half-one to half-two this year, or well, at least in those two latest samples.
My conclusion: shot selection.
VCU's shot selection in general hasn't been great, but the second halves of the last two games in particular were horrendous. My theory is the Rams take these double-digit leads they earn as a team, then essentially try to "hero ball" a victory the rest of the way.
While the Rams are attacking the basket and getting a high number of shots near the rim, often times they are contested shots that aren't getting the fouls perhaps they are intended to pick up. VCU's three-point shot location selection could be an issue as well.
In short, weather you believe in the corner three or not, the black and gold -- De'Riante Jenkins in particular -- was red hot from the corner in VCU's first half dominance of Hofstra, connecting on five of his eight first half attempts, four of which came from the corners.
<a href="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Corner3Deri.gif"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-25552" src="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Corner3Deri.gif" alt="" width="480" height="267" /></a>Of VCU's 12 second half threes, only one came from the corner. The Rams missed all twelve.
The following game the black and gold attempted just two "true corner" threes, both by Jenkins, then two more that were sorta on the cusp of being corner threes. The black and gold hit half of those shots (A 50% 3-point percentage is incredible), meaning VCU hit just four of the other 16 attempted threes that game (25%).
The black and gold are shooting just 29% from three on the season, which ranks 303rd nationally, down from 35.2% last season despite for the most part the Rams' key minutes replacement coming in the form of Marcus Evans (34.6% career 3-point shooter) for Justin Tillman (31.8% career 3p%).
That's my soap box issue with this team: Shot selection, making the extra pass. I think if the Rams move the ball better (just 91 assists to 119 turnovers), take the great shot instead of the good shot, ,this team can be incredible.
TALE OF THE TAPE[/HEADING=3]
<h4>VCU (5-2)
Iona (2-4)</h4>
<h4>A QUICK LOOK AT IONA</h4>
The Gaels have dominated the MAAC under ninth-year head coach, Tim Cluess, winners of five conference titles in the eight years he's been on campus including the last three seasons, but a streak that looks like it could be in jeopardy this season, thanks largely to a future VCU opponent later in the non-conference: Rider. The Gaels are an experienced group but one that lost some solid production heading into this year including the recently suspended, Roland Griffand (11.2 ppg), kicked off the team for punching an assistant coach. Griffand is one of three double-digit scorers from last year's group to leave the team, but back are the team's two leading returning scorers, junior E.J. Crawford (14.8 ppg) and senior Ricky McGill (13.8 ppg, 6.5 asts). The duo has helped return some offensive consistency from what was a top-100 offense this past season. With that the uptempo Gaels are averaged 77.3 points per game thanks to a group that has been almost elite at drawing fouls. The defense however, has been a whole different story. Iona has given up 86 or more points in four game this season, all losses, and currently ranks as one of the worst three-point defenses in college hoops. The Gaels are 0-3 in true road games this season and 1-1 away from their Hynes Athletic Center home court, a record that includes a loss to kenpom No.217 Long Beach State. Even in victory it's been an ordeal, with Iona's two wins coming by a combined nine points, both against sub-230 teams. They've lost their last seven contests against team's ranked as high as VCU's current team (kenpom No.121).
<h4>A QUICK LOOK AT VCU</h4>
In order to do my "quick look at VCU" I did two long looks this week, rewatching both the Hofstra and ODU games to see what's been the difference for the Rams from half-one to half-two this year, or well, at least in those two latest samples.
My conclusion: shot selection.
VCU's shot selection in general hasn't been great, but the second halves of the last two games in particular were horrendous. My theory is the Rams take these double-digit leads they earn as a team, then essentially try to "hero ball" a victory the rest of the way.
While the Rams are attacking the basket and getting a high number of shots near the rim, often times they are contested shots that aren't getting the fouls perhaps they are intended to pick up. VCU's three-point shot location selection could be an issue as well.
In short, weather you believe in the corner three or not, the black and gold -- De'Riante Jenkins in particular -- was red hot from the corner in VCU's first half dominance of Hofstra, connecting on five of his eight first half attempts, four of which came from the corners.
<a href="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Corner3Deri.gif"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-25552" src="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Corner3Deri.gif" alt="" width="480" height="267" /></a>Of VCU's 12 second half threes, only one came from the corner. The Rams missed all twelve.
The following game the black and gold attempted just two "true corner" threes, both by Jenkins, then two more that were sorta on the cusp of being corner threes. The black and gold hit half of those shots (A 50% 3-point percentage is incredible), meaning VCU hit just four of the other 16 attempted threes that game (25%).
The black and gold are shooting just 29% from three on the season, which ranks 303rd nationally, down from 35.2% last season despite for the most part the Rams' key minutes replacement coming in the form of Marcus Evans (34.6% career 3-point shooter) for Justin Tillman (31.8% career 3p%).
That's my soap box issue with this team: Shot selection, making the extra pass. I think if the Rams move the ball better (just 91 assists to 119 turnovers), take the great shot instead of the good shot, ,this team can be incredible.
