Ram fans got their first look of what to potentially expect in the Ryan Odom era, treated to a Black & Gold exhibition game that featured eight new faces on the court. In what looked to be a rout after the Black team ran out to a massive 22-5 first quarter lead, the White team battled back to tie things up in the final minute, only to see Black get the final bucket on a somewhat controversial Roosevelt Wheeler tip in, winning it 58-56.
Odom’s Utah State team ranked 16th nationally in offensive efficiency this past season and efficient offense was definitely the star of the show in last night’s contest. The team’s combined to shoot 47% from three, the Black team hitting 57% of their threes in the win. Oklahoma transfer and Chesterfield native, Joe Bamasile, led the Black in victory and all players with 17 points on the night and connected on four of his six three-point attempts. He partnered with Utah State transfer, Sean Bairstow, who led all players with five assists and added 13 points in the win.
Richmond transfer, Jason Nelson, added 11 points and two assists for the Black team, hitting 50% from three himself and Louisville transfer, Roosevelt Wheeler, added 10 points and a team-high five rebounds, tying freshman Michael Belle there, the Brit grabbing four of those on the offensive side of the ball and adding seven points, three steals and an assist in the win.
The White team was led by Utah State transfer, Max Shulga, who posted 15 points on 5-9 shooting and added a team-high four assists, three rebounds and a steal in defeat. Shulga had eight turnovers on the night, but otherwise showed why he will likely be one of VCU’s stars on this year’s team after an NCAA tournament season this past year with the Aggies. Zeb Jackson added 13 points in the White backcourt, hitting three of five threes on the night and trying Shulga’s four assists. Christian Fermin added 12 points for the White team and grabbed five rebounds. The sophomore big was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw stripe and posted a team-high +5 box plus/minus even in defeat. Cal transfer, Kuany Kuany, added 11 points and a team-high three steals for White, the 6’9 big man looking super versatile in his VCU debut.
The Rams will hit the court next on October 28, taking on Mars Hill in an exhibition contest at 7PM that Saturday evening.
Odom’s Utah State team ranked 16th nationally in offensive efficiency this past season and efficient offense was definitely the star of the show in last night’s contest. The team’s combined to shoot 47% from three, the Black team hitting 57% of their threes in the win. Oklahoma transfer and Chesterfield native, Joe Bamasile, led the Black in victory and all players with 17 points on the night and connected on four of his six three-point attempts. He partnered with Utah State transfer, Sean Bairstow, who led all players with five assists and added 13 points in the win.
Richmond transfer, Jason Nelson, added 11 points and two assists for the Black team, hitting 50% from three himself and Louisville transfer, Roosevelt Wheeler, added 10 points and a team-high five rebounds, tying freshman Michael Belle there, the Brit grabbing four of those on the offensive side of the ball and adding seven points, three steals and an assist in the win.
The White team was led by Utah State transfer, Max Shulga, who posted 15 points on 5-9 shooting and added a team-high four assists, three rebounds and a steal in defeat. Shulga had eight turnovers on the night, but otherwise showed why he will likely be one of VCU’s stars on this year’s team after an NCAA tournament season this past year with the Aggies. Zeb Jackson added 13 points in the White backcourt, hitting three of five threes on the night and trying Shulga’s four assists. Christian Fermin added 12 points for the White team and grabbed five rebounds. The sophomore big was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw stripe and posted a team-high +5 box plus/minus even in defeat. Cal transfer, Kuany Kuany, added 11 points and a team-high three steals for White, the 6’9 big man looking super versatile in his VCU debut.
The Rams will hit the court next on October 28, taking on Mars Hill in an exhibition contest at 7PM that Saturday evening.
