RTD: Rams hope to rise above mid-major rank and file

[districtballer]

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/co ... ar-673545/

"We get to play some great teams," VCU guard Brandon Rozzell said. "It's going to put us in position to set ourselves up to be Top 25. We want to take advantage of that situation."

Realistic or not, the Rams, who are visiting Madison Square Garden for the first time in program history, at least will find out where they stand.

"It's a national stage," point guard Joey Rodriguez said. "Everybody gets to see what you can do this early in the year. It's rare for mid-major teams to have a chance like this to play at Madison Square Garden against ranked opponents. It's big for us. It's big for the program."

 

[RamJamFan]

RTD

"It's a national stage," point guard Joey Rodriguez said. "Everybody gets to see what you can do this early in the year. It's rare for mid-major teams to have a chance like this to play at Madison Square Garden against ranked opponents. It's big for us. It's big for the program."

Summed up nicely by Joey. Shaka echoed the same sentiment, and I suspect most of the upper-classmen feel similar, while most of the Frosh may be awe struck.

For me it feels different. I went through VCU in '77 - '81, during great bb years and the formation of teams that remain some the best our school has ever produced. Maybe that's why I want more? Maybe that's why I have great expectations for RamNation, players and coaches?

I don't want to see what we can do...or "kinda/maybe" like we might do; I want us to perform like I know we can and know we should. There's an old saying that reflects timid hope" "He who expects little is seldom disappointed". We should not hope timidly, nor naively. Our dreams should not begin with "captain, may I". When we get on life's bus we should not look for a seat in the back, hoping for comfort, safety and the avoidance of notice. We are RamNation, not a second-class separate-but-equal bunch of mid-majors. We should expect to be here. We should expect to win.

We have recruited talent, worked hard individually and as a team, and now should go forward expecting to show the opposition and MSG that we know we are good, that we not only belong on this stage and at this level, but that we expect to walk away with W's. After decades of excellence, we should expect this. If not now, when? Go, see, attack, win!

 

[85ChemRam]

I agree 100% with the RJF.
I was at VCU 81-85, the most successful period until now. We are not establishing a program we are reclaiming what we lost. It is ours and we should take it. For God's sake we finished a year as the 11th ranked team in the nation, it is time to tell the basketball world. WERE BACKKKKKKK and oh yeah you don't want any part of this cause we will woodshed your behinds and leave you crying.
Players, believe in yourselves, don't treat this like it is an honor, you have worked hard and earned this, now go take what is yours.

 

[row6ram]

That's worth repeating Chem.

GO TAKE WHAT IS YOURS!!!!

 

[ramtastic83]

GO TAKE WHAT IS YOURS!!!!

 

[xjohnx]

 

[buckwheat]

never show weakness! the only pain that matters is the pain you inflict!