Game Preview: VCU v Merrimack

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The Rams head back to the Siegel Center after a dominating performance against the ACC's Boston College Eagles in this year's Veterans Classic. The 25-point win opened the eyes of national hoops writers, earning VCU several AP Poll votes and an appearance in CBS' Top-25 and 1 poll at No.26. They'll next take on a sneaky good Merrimack squad that is coming off a 14-point win over the always-competitive Vermont Catamounts. The Warriors out of the MAAC won 21 games this past season including a 13-3 NEC record, good enough for second in the conference and currently rank No.178 nationally on kenpom.com.

VCU will once again be without star guard, Zeb Jackson, out recovering from a hand injury, but have seen transfer Phillip Russell add some Jackson-like play since dawning the black and gold. Russell leads the team with two steals per game and is tied for No.1 with Joe Bamisile at 18 points per contest. He leads the Rams with a +18.6 box plus/minus.

The Rams have been lead by Russell and their experienced black and gold backcourt through two wins this season. Max Shulga has matched his 14 points per game of last season through two contests so far, yet appears to be flying somewhat under the radar thanks to the play of Russell and Bamisile. That group will attempt to slow down the diminutive Adam Clark from Merrimack. The 5'10 155 sophomore is the returning leading scorer for the Warriors, coming off a freshman season where he averaged 13.4 ppg. Clark scored a team-high 19 points against Vermont, but needed 24 shots to do so. He outpaced seniors Matt Becht and Sean Tumper who contributed 11 points each. 6'4 senior, Devon Savage, had just six points in the season opener, but was just behind Clark last season at 10.2 ppg.

The Rams will have a solid size advantage over their MAAC opponent, but being a guard and perimeter-dominated squad, might not see much of that come into play tonight. Merrimack ranks 343rd nationally in average height and tops out at 6'7 in the paint.

Merrimack plays a solid bit of zone defense, in what could be an interesting opportunity for a VCU team shooting 41.1% from distance on the season including a ridiculous 51.7% in their home opener.



PLAYERS TO WATCH
Adam Clark -
The Warriors point guard shot the ball on 42.8% of Merrimack's possessions in their first game of the season, making him just about the definition of "volume guy". That's up almost 20% from his past season however, so don't be surprised of the sophomore looks to get more players involved in game-2 for the MAAC squad. He's also a pest on defense, posting a very VCU-like 4.8% steals percentage this past season.
Devon Savage - .Savage is a bit of a steady Eddie on this squad, not really doing anything outstandingly well, but just bring solid consistency overall and another scoring presence to the team. Savage took just four shots in his first game of the season, but two were three-point makes where he takes most of his shots.
Bryan Etumnu - He may not be a giant, but the 6'7 215 center blocked over 9% of opponents attempts this past season, is an efficient scorer in the paint and will get the occasional three up from distance (14-46 this past season).

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Russell v Clark -
This should be the most fun matchup to watch (and then Jennings on Clark as well) on the night. The two can both score and heat up the ball on defense, so a helpful advantage for whoever's team gets the best of this battle.
VCU v the Zone - Not-so-fun fact: Merrimack ranked TENTH nationally in effective field goal percentage defense last season and ranked FIFTH in turnover percentage defense. That get your attention?
Merrimack offense v the percentages - The Warriors needed all that defensive efficiency last season because they were ROUGH on offense, ranking 325th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (thanks mostly to turnovers and poor three-point shooting). Three of five starters return and they will take on a VCU squad that returns the majority of their players from a team that finished 40th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency this past season.

Kenpom: 77-60 VCU win with a 93% chance of a Rams victory.

Game tips at 7PM at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, VA

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About author
Natty
Licensed Virginia Realtor and part-time basketball writer. Co-founder of VCURamNation.com and A10Talk.com.

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Mat Shelton-Eide
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