ADVERTISEMENT

Basketball VCU - Wednesday - Will Injured Players Return for the Rams (Just in Time for the Dores)?


Two starters may return for VCU versus the Dores. You can somewhat throw away the Rams 3-3 record if these starters do play. It helps VCU, obviously, in terms of depth and their quality of play and provides a "lift" in terms of VCU's ability to pressure the Dores the entire game.

If we do get full court pressure, we will really be hurting if Manjon is the only PG available. Will Lewis return to the fold for VU, although I know that he is only a frosh with limited minutes so far?


Baldwin, Watkins day to day
Rhoades said Baldwin (broken wrist) and starting wing Jamir Watkins (bone bruise in knee) are day to day going into Wednesday’s game against Vanderbilt (3-3) at the Siegel Center (7 p.m.).

Baldwin had surgery 10 days ago and has been on a 2-3 week timetable to return. Watkins, a 6-7 redshirt sophomore, has been dealing with the bone bruise for about a week, Rhoades said. Watkins played only 6 minutes against Kennesaw State.

If neither is able to play, it would leave the Rams (4-2) without two of their top scoring options. Baldwin averaged 12 points and 35.5 minutes, with 14 assists, 10 steals and five turnovers, before the injury. Watkins is averaging 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds and shooting 41.2% on 3-pointers.

Watkins missed last season while recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee. Rhoades said the bruise is in the other knee.
“Jamir went to the doctor [Monday],” Rhoades said. “As you know [bone bruises are] very painful. Sometimes they linger for a while. But there’s nothing structural or anything like that. It’s more of let’s try to get him feeling better and better so he can feel good about how he’s playing and moving.”

  • Locked
Football Taking podcast questions for Clark Lea (Friday morning at 10)

The show is presented by Dr. Jody Jones, DDS.

The guest line is presented by Michael Kendrick of The Kendrick Group. Michael is a local carpenter and a lifelong Vandy fan. He builds bookshelves, cabinets, picture frames, furniture and made-to-order items, including a display case for my prized Dale Murphy jersey. I have seen Michael’s work and he’s a true craftsman. If you’re in the market for custom woodwork, give Michael a call at 615.830.9458.

Today’s mailbag is sponsored by Sutherland & Belk, a family owned injury law firm. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, give Taylor or Russell a call at 615-846-6200 to see what your rights are and if they can help.

Will Perdue and I will co-host a special episode with Clark Lea on Friday morning; we'll pick from the best of your questions.

Regarding tight ends for next year

I came back into town this year to attend the Wake game. After the game at dinner, I met Justin Ball and his father. It seemed that most of us thought Ball might be moving on after this year, but his father indicated to me that Justin would be returning and that there was no question about that. The Dad was a great dude by the way who also has a son playing at Buffalo. Justin seems like a guy who could take the next step with more playing time. Hope it's true because our TE position seems really thin for next yr.

Game thread Vanderbilt vs VCU

Assuming that VCU's NET ranking stays in the same range as it's in right now, Vanderbilt will have a quad 1 opportunity tonight in Richmond.

The emphasis point for Stackhouse all week has been handling ball pressure and VCU's defense. VCU loves to attack opposing guards, force turnovers, and try to speed up opposing guards. Once they have to defend in the halfcourt, VCU plays more of a straight up man to man, though. Last year that obviously bothered Vandy in their 37 point performance, but the Commodores seem to think that they'll be in a good spot if they can consistently get VCU into their half-court defense. Stackhouse believes that they're better equipped to handle VCU this year because their primary ballhandler isn't also their leading scorer like last season. The Rams are 31st in defensive efficiency and Stackhouse called them a top 20 defensive group in the country. Vanderbilt has been better offensively as of late, but this one will be a big test for the offense and may be one that Vandy has to win with their defense.

The VCU offense is conducive to that strategy as well. Their offensive x-factor, Ace Baldwin, may miss this one and without him the Rams are 231st in the nation in offensive efficiency. VCU also plays right into Vandy's hands with their 16.8 turnovers per game. The Commodores may try to take advantage of that by pressuring VCU into turnovers as well, getting in transition will be crucial for Vanderbilt because of the way that VCU defends. Getting stops won't be easy but it will certainly be possible. VCU shoots below 40% from the field and below 30% from 3-point range.

This one projects to be another low-scoring contest like it was last season. To come out with a different result, Vanderbilt will have to take care of the ball, get out in transition, and make sure that VCU doesn't have an out of character offensive performances. In all likelihood, this one won't be pretty, but Vanderbilt will have an opportunity to drastically improve their resume because of it.

I'll be covering this one remotely tonight to cap off a triple-header of games worked today. I'm also slated to write about the Lipscomb vs Navy game at 11 and the Lipscomb vs Oakwood women's game at 1:30. Should be a big day.

Officially sucked!!!

That VCU game was the worst officiated lopsided game I've seen in many years.

I remember seeing some real stinkers live at memorial......but that game had some incredibly biased calls espically on our bigs.

They called a foul on LR for setting a pick...he just stood there....was set in time and their player bounced off hard....but it was because he just ran into LR...and there were many stupid bad calls. The T was the icing on the cake...worst call ever. I don't think for a second that LR was taunting...obviously saying he got hit in the head....what a joke.

I liked seeing CJS getting on the ref...he deserved it and should have at minimum given cjs something....said something but he just totally ignored him...a good official would have given some explanation...but no....let's let this get way out of hand....the ref was so wrong........... that whole crew sucked.

I just watched the game.

So if this was discussed
...my apologies....just had to get that out there.

I honestly think we will improve a lot during the season....will it be enough make post season? I think that depends on if we can stay healthy and if Jordan Wright gets healthy and decides to play smarter and better....
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT