Both teams are coming off week-long layoffs for exams. The Rams are under first year HC, Will Wade, after Shaka Smart departed this past offseason for the gazillions of dollars at The University of Tejas.
The Rams have been dancing the last 5 years in a row, 6 of last 7 and 7 of last 9. Of course, they made the Final 4 five years ago.
The 2 programs have met twice previously with Tech taking both games. Tech won by 21 at home when ranked #3 in the nation back in late December of 2003 (before going on to the national final game later that season). Note, VCU made the NCAAT that season as well. Tech's other win came in November of 2011 (the season after VCU went to the Final 4) by 13 pts at the Charleston Classic.
This is a big game in many ways. First, it will be viewed as a quality win for either team. Perhaps more for Tech as VCU is more likely to go dancing than we are sitting here in mid-December. VCU has had 3 narrow losses to strong teams including the 2 teams who played in the national title game last year and to FSU who many pundits believe will be dancing and make a lot of noise in the ACC this year.
Back in the preseason, I had us at 6-2 at this point in the season (though a W over ETSU and a L at Tulane). I had us losing both games this week (also at the dungeon Saturday pity the thought). It would be awesome going 1-1 this week - especially if the W is at Hell. Going 2-0 would be a fantastic sign for this BasketJackets team in terms of providing confidence and hope for the schedule on the horizon in January.
Duke hosts Ga Southern at 7pm on ESPN-2 just before our game. Hopefully they start on time and get done by 9 so our game can tip as planned. I highly doubt that game will be going to overtime. The Lady J's host Prairie View at 6pm for any who want to make an extended night of Tech Hoops out of the evening.
CBG needs a big win. He has 2 opps for them this week. In fact, the Tech Athletics community as a whole could use a pick-me-up, IMO. Fingers crossed. GO JACKETS!!!
The Rams have been dancing the last 5 years in a row, 6 of last 7 and 7 of last 9. Of course, they made the Final 4 five years ago.
The 2 programs have met twice previously with Tech taking both games. Tech won by 21 at home when ranked #3 in the nation back in late December of 2003 (before going on to the national final game later that season). Note, VCU made the NCAAT that season as well. Tech's other win came in November of 2011 (the season after VCU went to the Final 4) by 13 pts at the Charleston Classic.
This is a big game in many ways. First, it will be viewed as a quality win for either team. Perhaps more for Tech as VCU is more likely to go dancing than we are sitting here in mid-December. VCU has had 3 narrow losses to strong teams including the 2 teams who played in the national title game last year and to FSU who many pundits believe will be dancing and make a lot of noise in the ACC this year.
Back in the preseason, I had us at 6-2 at this point in the season (though a W over ETSU and a L at Tulane). I had us losing both games this week (also at the dungeon Saturday pity the thought). It would be awesome going 1-1 this week - especially if the W is at Hell. Going 2-0 would be a fantastic sign for this BasketJackets team in terms of providing confidence and hope for the schedule on the horizon in January.
Duke hosts Ga Southern at 7pm on ESPN-2 just before our game. Hopefully they start on time and get done by 9 so our game can tip as planned. I highly doubt that game will be going to overtime. The Lady J's host Prairie View at 6pm for any who want to make an extended night of Tech Hoops out of the evening.
CBG needs a big win. He has 2 opps for them this week. In fact, the Tech Athletics community as a whole could use a pick-me-up, IMO. Fingers crossed. GO JACKETS!!!
