Game Preview: VCU v Rhode Island [INSIDER]

[Natty]

VCU hopes to extend their winning streak to eight games tonight while snapping a losing streak in the process, looking to get over the hump against a Rhode Island squad that blanked the black and gold in their two meetings last season, losing by an average margin of 10.5 points in the series. The Rams of VCU are one of two A-10 teams currently undefeated in conference play, joining the nationally-ranked Saint Louis Billikens who are flawless via having yet to play a game.

VCU (9-2, 2-0)
RHODE ISLAND (5-6, 2-2)
A QUICK LOOK AT RHODY
The Keaney blue Rams have played a brutal schedule all season long — the nation’s 31st toughest, according to kenpom — and have carried that trend into Atlantic 10 action against a four-game slate that has consisted mostly of conference contenders. Rhody fell at home to Davidson to start conference action, 67-58, bounced back with a tough six-point win over a game St. Bonaventure squad, narrowly survived a winless St. Joe’s Hawks squad that I think...

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[Natty]

One note from doing this that was somewhat surprising was that over our last three, Bones hasn't been Bones. Sure, he has averaged 15 points per contest, but on 0.87 points per possession.

Last season he scored approximately 1.1 points per possession and our team this season is at 1.04 points per possession, to let you know how low that 0.87 is. Also teams this year that are posting under 0.88 points per possession rank 351st or below in adjusted offensive efficiency. So long story short there, is we won those last three without Bones being his normal Bones self. He has scored, but it hasn't been efficient scoring, it's been volume over that stretch. So I'm hoping today Bizzy gets it going from deep, because we are likely going to really need that against a Rhody team that's been strong defending the paint. It's also terrifying when Bones is hitting threes because it's like that blood gets in the water and it just turns into a whole other thing as well. Bones best three-point games were against Utah State (16-point win against a top-60 squad), Mount St. Mary's (18-point win, albeit against a scrub team), NC A&T (36-point win), Western Carolina (25-point win). Need Utah State Bones today.