Bleacher Report: VCU, Others Lead Surprising Mid-Majors

[districtballer]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ads-mid-majors-who-have-exceeded-expectations

Virginia Commonwealth

Record: 5-1

Key wins: Oklahoma, Nevada, and Rhode Island

You read correctly. The Virginia Commonwealth Rams have been more than fine following the graduation of stud point guard Eric Maynor.

Formerly a shooting guard, Joey Rodgriguez has filled Maynor's void. His 2.8 turnovers per game detract from the value of his five dimes each outing, but he's capable of running the Rams' upbeat offense.

Larry Sanders is still a beast, and the improved offensive game of Bradford Burgess has been essential.

Averaging 76 points per game, VCU also rebounds well (37 per game) and, led by Sanders, has an imposing defense (8.8 steals and 4.5 blocks per game).

The Colonial Athletic Association coaches ranked the Rams No. 3 in the preseason. Considering Old Dominion and Northeastern have struggled against decent competition, VCU might have changed coaches' minds.

Nice to see the Bleacher Report say this after writing the article about ODU and NU looking to dethrone VCU. William and Mary was also listed in the article:

William & Mary

Record: 5-2

Key wins: Richmond, @ Wake Forest

Led by the sharpshooting David Schneider, William & Mary might be the real deal. The Tribe has lost two games—a nine-point defeat at the hands of UConn and a nail-biting, two-point overtime loss at Harvard.

Many assumed William & Mary had merely gotten lucky in their first two games of the season. However, a win against Richmond in their third contest and then a 10-point victory at Wake Forest cemented the Tribe as a team capable of competing.

Their core of Schneider, Quinn McDowell, and Danny Sumner can shoot—they've combined for 50 treys on 40 percent shooting through the first seven games.

Their defense is mediocre, but their ball movement (15.4 assists per game) and shooting (41.3 percent from deep) are exceptional.

Next big game: tomorrow at VCU. It's clear that the Rams are the real deal. A Tribe victory could mean the same for William & Mary, who was picked 10th heading into the season by CAA coaches.

There is also a poll asking which of 3 teams is the real deal; VCU, Missouri St., or W&M? Make sure Ram Nation is heard on this one! We are starting to get noticed now, let's keep it up! GO RAMS!

 

[VCUbusinessgrad]

see below

 

[VCUbusinessgrad]

VCU also rebounds well (37 per game)

Um... Have I been watching a different team? I don't recall us rebounding well on a consistent basis this year. Sure we have times where we get boards but its just not being done consistently.

 

[VCU Finance 2008]

VCU also rebounds well (37 per game)

Um... Have I been watching a different team? I don't recall us rebounding well on a consistent basis this year. Sure we have times where we get boards but its just not being done consistently.

Yeah, that stood out to me as well. We have been out rebounded by every team except Bethune-Cookman and Hampton and we didn't even beat them by much. I would consider that one of our weaknesses rather than a strength. -15 against Western Michigan, -13 against Rhode Island