[caption id="attachment_15175" align="alignright" width="221"]<a href="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22686228729_e172bb32cb.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-15175" src="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22686228729_e172bb32cb-221x300.jpg" alt="Gilmore splits three defenders in what would be the first bucket of a career night for the sophomore." width="221" height="300" /></a> Gilmore splits three defenders in what would be the first bucket of a career night for the sophomore.[/caption]
Michael Gilmore arrived at VCU as one of the highest rated players to ever commit to the Rams, the No.77 player in ESPN's 2014 class rankings to be exact. Despite the lofty ranking however, Gilmore more often than not was given the winning program (but non-blue-chipper) "freshman treatment". That is to say he came in mostly in garbage time when games were out of reach and hoped to make a statement alongside four other guys wanting to do the same.
Gilmore saw double-digit minutes just five times last season but was ridiculously efficient offensively when on the floor.
He scored five points in 12 minutes during his first taste of double-digits, a blowout of Marlyand Eastern Shore where he went 2-5 from the field. He followed that up seven games later (with three DNPs in between) against Belmont, connecting on four of his six attempts to score eight points along with eight rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Two games later he set a new career-high with his first double-digit scoring performance against East Tennessee State, scoring 10 points in 17 minutes. He was 4-5 from the field. He would match those 10 points halfway through conference play with a 4-6 night against an out-matched Saint Louis team, connecting on two of his three attempts from long range.
As a freshmen Gilmore finished 12th on the team in minutes but second in effective field goal percentage. He'll look to boost those minutes this season while maintaining that level of efficiency.
Gilmore saw just four minutes in VCU's season-opener but immediately followed that with a 16-minute night against Radford. During that time the sophomore proved to be a huge spark for the black and gold, scoring a quick eight points to help blow the game wide open. He'd finish the night with a career-high 12 points on a perfect shooting night: 4-4 from the field (2-2 from deep) and 2-2 from the free throw line. He added three rebounds and an assist and finished with zero turnovers, helping him notch an insane 236 o-rating for the night (last year's A-10 leaders were around 120).
That type of night will be hard to match, but as just a sophomore with the tools to help VCU all over the court, he'll have plenty of chances to try.
I pulled some footage of Gilmore's best plays from the win for us to enjoy once again. That is assuming you are cool with me slowing them down and talking all over them.
Enjoy.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/146160113?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="600" height="337" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Michael Gilmore arrived at VCU as one of the highest rated players to ever commit to the Rams, the No.77 player in ESPN's 2014 class rankings to be exact. Despite the lofty ranking however, Gilmore more often than not was given the winning program (but non-blue-chipper) "freshman treatment". That is to say he came in mostly in garbage time when games were out of reach and hoped to make a statement alongside four other guys wanting to do the same.
Gilmore saw double-digit minutes just five times last season but was ridiculously efficient offensively when on the floor.
He scored five points in 12 minutes during his first taste of double-digits, a blowout of Marlyand Eastern Shore where he went 2-5 from the field. He followed that up seven games later (with three DNPs in between) against Belmont, connecting on four of his six attempts to score eight points along with eight rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Two games later he set a new career-high with his first double-digit scoring performance against East Tennessee State, scoring 10 points in 17 minutes. He was 4-5 from the field. He would match those 10 points halfway through conference play with a 4-6 night against an out-matched Saint Louis team, connecting on two of his three attempts from long range.
As a freshmen Gilmore finished 12th on the team in minutes but second in effective field goal percentage. He'll look to boost those minutes this season while maintaining that level of efficiency.
Gilmore saw just four minutes in VCU's season-opener but immediately followed that with a 16-minute night against Radford. During that time the sophomore proved to be a huge spark for the black and gold, scoring a quick eight points to help blow the game wide open. He'd finish the night with a career-high 12 points on a perfect shooting night: 4-4 from the field (2-2 from deep) and 2-2 from the free throw line. He added three rebounds and an assist and finished with zero turnovers, helping him notch an insane 236 o-rating for the night (last year's A-10 leaders were around 120).
That type of night will be hard to match, but as just a sophomore with the tools to help VCU all over the court, he'll have plenty of chances to try.
I pulled some footage of Gilmore's best plays from the win for us to enjoy once again. That is assuming you are cool with me slowing them down and talking all over them.
Enjoy.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/146160113?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="600" height="337" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
