<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_39">The place where I come from is a small town<br />
They think so small, they use small words<br />
But not me, I'm smarter than that,<br />
I worked it out<br />
I'll be stretching my mouth to let those big words come right out<br />
I've had enough, I'm getting out<br />
to the city, the big big city<br />
I'll be a big noise with all the big boys, so much stuff I will own<br id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_327" />
And I will pray to a big god, as I kneel in the big church
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_324">--Peter Gabriel, Big Time<br id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_331" />
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_328">***
That
was fun, now wasn't it? And if last night is any indication, the entire
RamNation had better resolve itself this morning to the inevitability of additional
gray hair, elevated heart rate, and some darn fine college basketball.
Last night--from 90 minutes prior to tip, straight through the game and
the final buzzer, and for 90 minutes afterward--is exactly why we do what
we do.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_136">It's only the first
game, but is anybody not on the A10 bandwagon now? I include
Dayton in that as well. The Flyers, remember, are preseason #8 in the
conference, and they clearly brought a different, higher level of
talent. They are the kind of team we want to see every night. And we will.
I keep going back to the same, simple word: fun.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_160"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Overview</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_211">As
customary, VCU zipped out to a quick lead, but the Flyers had every
answer. Each time the Rams pushed the lead to five points and threatened
to blow the game open, a Dayton player knocked down a three to reel back
in the Rams. VCU would never lead by more than five in the first half,
but Dayton never led. VCU took a 36-32 lead into the break behind 15
first half points from Treveon Graham. The Rams shot 48.1% in the
stanza.
After the break, Dayton twice cut the lead to
two before Troy Daniels bombed home back-to-back three-pointers to
spark a 7-0 run to help VCU grab a 47-38 advantage with 17:31
to play. Just as the first half, Dayton answered. Kevin Dillard and
Dyshawn Pierre hit threes of their own and the VCU lead was once again a
single point.
That's when havoc began to take its toll, and the Rams used a 17-4 run to lead 66-52 lead with 5:40 left on the
clock. The final was 74-62.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_170">VCU forced 26 Dayton turnovers and had 15 steals. The Rams have now forced 22 or more turnovers
and 14 or more steals in each of the past six games.
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Where Things Changed
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_271">After
Dillard and Pierre hit those back-to-back threes, havoc fueled a
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">nine-turnovers-in-14-possessions span</span> that fueled the 17-4 run. The
sequence was representative of the cumulative effects of havoc. The
Flyers were a step slower, passes a tad softer, and mentally more easily
frustrated.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_304">The
problem for VCU opponents is that the players can see those physical
and emotional distress signals, and it fires them up even more. So while
the Dayton tank was edging towards E, the VCU RPM was redlining.
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">What It Means: The Skinny
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_318">Channeling my very best Shaka Smart: it means we're 1-0. That's all.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_333">Otherwise,
last night was what I'll call validation number one. Dayton is annually
one of the A10s challengers, and one of its best programs. Nobody needs
to hide behind the realistic question of how the Rams would fare in
this step up. You can talk all you want about havoc and nonconference
success and blahblahblah. However it's never legitimate until you stare
the other guy in the eye for 40 minutes.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_344">The
first half was a wonderful half of basketball. Fun, entertaining, and
players made plays. For every punch there was a counterpunch--we saw two
teams playing basketball at a high level. The second half showed why VCU
belongs and is worthy of its praise. The long term effects of
havoc--namely fatigue and frustration--were obvious to a team that
walked into our house claiming they liked to run.
Dayton came into the the game figuring it had seen full court pressure. After all, the Flyers carved up Alabama's pressure and saw early success last night. But there's no comparison between the Alabama pressure and the relentlessness and ferocity of the VCU full court pressure.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_349">I've used this analogy before, but it bears repeating.
Reggie Jackson was one of the alltime best fastball hitters in baseball
history. He loved fastballs and feasted on them. When Jackson was asked about facing noted fastball pitcher Nolan Ryan, he replied simply: "I like
fastballs. I like ice cream, too. But not when you feed it to me by the
gallon."
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_184"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Statistic(s) That Jump Out at Me
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_372">9. Briante Weber had a sublime nine steals. Insane. And Treveon Graham has now scored in double-figures in nine
consecutive games and 14 games overall, including three 20-plus point
performances. He leads the squad with 15.4 points per game.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_377">22, 14 (6). The Rams have now forced 22 or more turnovers
and 14 or more steals in each of the past six games.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_381">19-21 (91%). VCUs free throw shooting.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_385">8/12,
4/14. That's the turnover differential in the first half versus the
second half. The defense gets credit for forcing 14 turnovers, but don't
lose sight of the fact that the offense became very efficient.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_192"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Curmudgeon's View
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_394">In
back-to-back home games, VCU is now 10-47 (21.3%) from the arc. Long
term that isn't going to pass muster. I'm thinking we may not be too far
from Shaka Smart sequestering the team at the downtown Marriott and
having them shoot in the Richmond Coliseum to help them think they are
playing a road game.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_412">I am of course kidding, but in all seriousness poor three-point shooting could help lead to the team's undoing.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_199"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Stars of the Game
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_208">***Treveon
Graham. How good was Graham in the first half? He was
unstoppable--that's how good. And just when you had forgotten about him
in the second half, Graham hit two free throws and then a three-point
play to buoy the VCU lead. You cannot, this close to the final buzzer,
accurately call this game a coming out party. However by February--given
the proper evaluation timeline--that could be the ideal descriptor.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_458">**Briante
Weber. Yes there are the nine steals. However with Darius Theus in
serious and significant foul trouble, Weber ran the offense with
precision--four points, five assists, and just one turnover. Side note:
there's the nonconference season paying off. Weber's familiarity in game
situations was obvious.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_476">*Juvonte Reddic. Almost quietly, Reddic was one rebound from a double-double.
Plus, his second half was outstanding. Reddic saw early success on dump
down passes but Dayton cut that off. Reddic responded and played
through it, especially on the defensive end. Dayton's three big men were
all held under their averages.
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Shot Chart</span>
Courtesy of Jeff Horne:
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/87d85-6a0120a7647f04970b017c358b82d3970b-pi.jpg" style="display:inline;"><img alt="DAYFinalShotChart(a)" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0120a7647f04970b017c358b82d3970b image-full" src="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/87d85-6a0120a7647f04970b017c358b82d3970b-pi.jpg" title="DAYFinalShotChart(a)" /></a><br /><br />
They think so small, they use small words<br />
But not me, I'm smarter than that,<br />
I worked it out<br />
I'll be stretching my mouth to let those big words come right out<br />
I've had enough, I'm getting out<br />
to the city, the big big city<br />
I'll be a big noise with all the big boys, so much stuff I will own<br id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_327" />
And I will pray to a big god, as I kneel in the big church
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_324">--Peter Gabriel, Big Time<br id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_331" />
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_328">***
That
was fun, now wasn't it? And if last night is any indication, the entire
RamNation had better resolve itself this morning to the inevitability of additional
gray hair, elevated heart rate, and some darn fine college basketball.
Last night--from 90 minutes prior to tip, straight through the game and
the final buzzer, and for 90 minutes afterward--is exactly why we do what
we do.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_136">It's only the first
game, but is anybody not on the A10 bandwagon now? I include
Dayton in that as well. The Flyers, remember, are preseason #8 in the
conference, and they clearly brought a different, higher level of
talent. They are the kind of team we want to see every night. And we will.
I keep going back to the same, simple word: fun.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_160"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Overview</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_211">As
customary, VCU zipped out to a quick lead, but the Flyers had every
answer. Each time the Rams pushed the lead to five points and threatened
to blow the game open, a Dayton player knocked down a three to reel back
in the Rams. VCU would never lead by more than five in the first half,
but Dayton never led. VCU took a 36-32 lead into the break behind 15
first half points from Treveon Graham. The Rams shot 48.1% in the
stanza.
After the break, Dayton twice cut the lead to
two before Troy Daniels bombed home back-to-back three-pointers to
spark a 7-0 run to help VCU grab a 47-38 advantage with 17:31
to play. Just as the first half, Dayton answered. Kevin Dillard and
Dyshawn Pierre hit threes of their own and the VCU lead was once again a
single point.
That's when havoc began to take its toll, and the Rams used a 17-4 run to lead 66-52 lead with 5:40 left on the
clock. The final was 74-62.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_170">VCU forced 26 Dayton turnovers and had 15 steals. The Rams have now forced 22 or more turnovers
and 14 or more steals in each of the past six games.
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Where Things Changed
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_271">After
Dillard and Pierre hit those back-to-back threes, havoc fueled a
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">nine-turnovers-in-14-possessions span</span> that fueled the 17-4 run. The
sequence was representative of the cumulative effects of havoc. The
Flyers were a step slower, passes a tad softer, and mentally more easily
frustrated.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_304">The
problem for VCU opponents is that the players can see those physical
and emotional distress signals, and it fires them up even more. So while
the Dayton tank was edging towards E, the VCU RPM was redlining.
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">What It Means: The Skinny
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_318">Channeling my very best Shaka Smart: it means we're 1-0. That's all.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_333">Otherwise,
last night was what I'll call validation number one. Dayton is annually
one of the A10s challengers, and one of its best programs. Nobody needs
to hide behind the realistic question of how the Rams would fare in
this step up. You can talk all you want about havoc and nonconference
success and blahblahblah. However it's never legitimate until you stare
the other guy in the eye for 40 minutes.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_344">The
first half was a wonderful half of basketball. Fun, entertaining, and
players made plays. For every punch there was a counterpunch--we saw two
teams playing basketball at a high level. The second half showed why VCU
belongs and is worthy of its praise. The long term effects of
havoc--namely fatigue and frustration--were obvious to a team that
walked into our house claiming they liked to run.
Dayton came into the the game figuring it had seen full court pressure. After all, the Flyers carved up Alabama's pressure and saw early success last night. But there's no comparison between the Alabama pressure and the relentlessness and ferocity of the VCU full court pressure.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_349">I've used this analogy before, but it bears repeating.
Reggie Jackson was one of the alltime best fastball hitters in baseball
history. He loved fastballs and feasted on them. When Jackson was asked about facing noted fastball pitcher Nolan Ryan, he replied simply: "I like
fastballs. I like ice cream, too. But not when you feed it to me by the
gallon."
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_184"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Statistic(s) That Jump Out at Me
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_372">9. Briante Weber had a sublime nine steals. Insane. And Treveon Graham has now scored in double-figures in nine
consecutive games and 14 games overall, including three 20-plus point
performances. He leads the squad with 15.4 points per game.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_377">22, 14 (6). The Rams have now forced 22 or more turnovers
and 14 or more steals in each of the past six games.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_381">19-21 (91%). VCUs free throw shooting.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_385">8/12,
4/14. That's the turnover differential in the first half versus the
second half. The defense gets credit for forcing 14 turnovers, but don't
lose sight of the fact that the offense became very efficient.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_192"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Curmudgeon's View
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_394">In
back-to-back home games, VCU is now 10-47 (21.3%) from the arc. Long
term that isn't going to pass muster. I'm thinking we may not be too far
from Shaka Smart sequestering the team at the downtown Marriott and
having them shoot in the Richmond Coliseum to help them think they are
playing a road game.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_412">I am of course kidding, but in all seriousness poor three-point shooting could help lead to the team's undoing.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_199"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Stars of the Game
</span>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_208">***Treveon
Graham. How good was Graham in the first half? He was
unstoppable--that's how good. And just when you had forgotten about him
in the second half, Graham hit two free throws and then a three-point
play to buoy the VCU lead. You cannot, this close to the final buzzer,
accurately call this game a coming out party. However by February--given
the proper evaluation timeline--that could be the ideal descriptor.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_458">**Briante
Weber. Yes there are the nine steals. However with Darius Theus in
serious and significant foul trouble, Weber ran the offense with
precision--four points, five assists, and just one turnover. Side note:
there's the nonconference season paying off. Weber's familiarity in game
situations was obvious.
<p id="yui_3_7_2_68_1357483970279_476">*Juvonte Reddic. Almost quietly, Reddic was one rebound from a double-double.
Plus, his second half was outstanding. Reddic saw early success on dump
down passes but Dayton cut that off. Reddic responded and played
through it, especially on the defensive end. Dayton's three big men were
all held under their averages.
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Shot Chart</span>
Courtesy of Jeff Horne:
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/87d85-6a0120a7647f04970b017c358b82d3970b-pi.jpg" style="display:inline;"><img alt="DAYFinalShotChart(a)" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0120a7647f04970b017c358b82d3970b image-full" src="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/87d85-6a0120a7647f04970b017c358b82d3970b-pi.jpg" title="DAYFinalShotChart(a)" /></a><br /><br />