VCU IS OFF TO THE RACES
By Chris Kowalczyk
11-5-09

The Siegel Center has always been a comfy spot for Brandon Rozzell, who played many a game at the arena during outstanding high school career at nearby Highland Springs. But Thursday night, it wasn’t just the location that felt familiar. Instead, it was Virginia Commonwealth University’s breakneck press and jet-fuel powered, fastbreak offense.

“I love it,” Rozzell, who had 14 points said of the new, up-tempo Rams. “It reminds me of back in my Highland Springs days. It’s lovely.”

Much like his high school career, Rozzell ended up on the winning end too, as the Rams harassed, blitzed and bolted past Virginia Union, 85-55, in VCU’s season-opening exhibition.

It was a successful debut for the first-year Head Coach Shaka Smart’s version of VCU Basketball, which looks like former coach Anthony Grant’s system on steroids.

VCU pressed early and often and pushed the ball relentlessly on offense. The result was 21 Virginia Union turnovers, a slew of easy transition layups for VCU and a 30-point blowout. The performance impressed at least one coach Thursday night.

“It was hectic,” VUU Head Coach Willard Coker said. “Every time you turnaround, when we scored, it was almost like an opportunity for them to run a fast break. We did a terrible job of getting back and you have to take your hats off to VCU, they’re well conditioned and they push the ball right down your throat. I mean, right down your throat.”

It’s no mistake Virginia Union felt overwhelmed. Smart wants it that way, every game and every practice.

“I want to get the ball out as quickly as we possibly can,” Smart said. “We have a rule on our team. When the ball goes in, the closest big takes the ball out as quickly as possible and gets it to the point guard. I think we had a couple of layups early in the game because we got the ball out quickly and ran the floor.”

By design, two of VCU’s primary protagonists Thursday were juniors Larry Sanders and Joey Rodriguez (pictured, left). From day one, Smart talked about his desire to push the ball and get it inside to the 6-11 and impossibly long Sanders. VCU was able to do so with ease against the Panthers, scoring 22 points and shooting 9-of-12 from the floor in 23 minutes. He also grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked six shots.

Working as Sanders’ trigger man was Rodriguez, who burst out of the locker room with a smile on his face and played with a kid’s enthusiasm. He pushed the ball, but was rarely out of control. He finished with 11 points, six assists and three turnovers. Many wondered how Rodriguez would adjust to the loss of NBA first round draft pick Eric Maynor. On Thursday, the answer was, ‘just fine’.

“I thought Joey was very good at the point,” Smart said. “I thought he made some good decisions. He had six assists. He probably could’ve had six more if we had shot the ball a little better from outside. I thought he made some good plays with the ball. Anytime his assist-to-turnover ratio is 2-to-1, that’s where we want it to be, so I’m really pleased with Joey.”

Still, with all the positives, by the time he reached the press room Thursday night, Smart already had a laundry list of things that he wanted his team to do better.

“We’ve got to dive on the floor for loose balls, we’ve got to block out better, our half court defense needs to get better,” Smart said. “I could keep going, but I’ll stop there.”

Like most coaches, Smart won’t take long to get to work.

“It’s a very, very valuable tape,” Smart said. “I can’t wait to get up to the office to watch it.”

Always on the run.

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