The Flames meet up with in-state opponent Virginia Commonwealth at 4pm today. Here’s what you need to know about the Rams:
1. VCU is coming off a big win over Buffalo.
Photo courtesy rantsports.com
The Rams beat the Bulls, 90-69, to improve to 6-5 after dropping 3 straight prior to the Buffalo game.
2. Will Wade replaced Shaka Smart after Shaka left for Texas.
Photo courtesy cbssports.com
Wade was an assistant under Smart at VCU for 4 seasons before becoming the head coach at Chattanooga. He led the Mocs to a 40-25 record in his 2 years there.
3. Current Liberty assistant Kyle Getter was an assistant at VCU for 2 years.
Photo courtesy: WTSP.com
Getter and Wade were both on Shaka Smart’s staff from 2009-2011 and helped lead the Rams to the Final Four in 2011.
4. VCU loves to press and cause “Havoc.”
Photo courtesy: thesportsquotient.com
They forced 31 turnovers against Buffalo and rank in the top 20 nationally in turnovers forced per game. Meanwhile, the Flames are one of the worst teams in the country in controlling the ball.
5. Liberty is 1-5 all-time against the Rams.
The last meeting was in 1998. VCU is scheduled to play the Flames at the Vines Center next year.
6. VCU is 6-5 this season.
Photo courtesy: Yahoo sports
They have faced a very challenging schedule with their losses coming against Duke, Wisconsin, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Cincinnati.
7. Melvin Johnson is VCU’s leading scorer.
Photo courtesy: VCURamNation.com
He’s averaging 18.2 points per game and is shooting 44% from 3.
