Game 27, 2024-25: at VCU (2/19)

[MikeUMA]

Trip to VCU coming up on Wednesday. By NET rankings, this will be our toughest game of the season (VCU now 34). I won't be surprised if we go in as double-digit underdogs.

CBS Sports Network has this one, and it's an early start, at 6 Eastern.

George Mason is still hot and has a hold on first place in the A-15 standings. VCU has a 2.5 game cushion for second place, at 10-2. Since falling at Bonaventure to open up league play, they've gone 10-1 since, the only blemish a 9 point loss at SLU (the game when a brawl broke out in the crowd between fanbases).

VCU is first in the league in PPG offense at 78.4, and #2 in defense at 63.3. The 15.1 margin is best in the league, by far. They're mid in FG% but #2 in FG% Defense. Combo their D with our next-to-last FG% and that spells big trouble.

They're also mid in 3FG%, but they launch a lot, most in the league, and hit the most in the league at 9.7 per game.

VCU is also strong on the glass, tied for 2nd at 38.2 per game. We're still first (at 39.9) but we're trending downward, losing the glass in our last two.

They're also 2nd in both blocks and steals, and #1 by far in turnover margin.

Matchup: https://bracketologists.com/matchup/NDAxNzI0NDM4

This one looks like it might be pretty brutal, especially with the flu bug going thru our locker room.

[MikeUMA]

Richmond is forecast to get 1-3" of snow tomorrow, and then a little more tomorrow night. That's no biggie for us but for that area it's borderline paralyzing.

Because the game is on national TV (CBS SN), I'm expecting the game will go on as long as the teams can get there safely.

Ticket wise, they've sold out.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Richmond is forecast to get 1-3" of snow tomorrow, and then a little more tomorrow night. That's no biggie for us but for that area it's borderline paralyzing.

Because the game is on national TV (CBS SN), I'm expecting the game will go on as long as the teams can get there safely.

Ticket wise, they've sold out.

Richmond does pretty well with snow. They struggle with ice storms.

[Floyd]

National TV game, a sick roster, against a very good team, on the road. Not a good recipe for a good UMass showing, but let's hope they surprise everyone and steal it.

[69MG]

I have opted not to do any research for this game. I know they are very good and we are very ill. I don't need to know anything else.

[MikeUMA]

I won't be surprised if we go in as double-digit underdogs.

Ooh, it's worse than I thought. UM +17.5

[inthescoop]

17.5????!!! Wowza

[MikeUMA]

^
That's our biggest spread of the season as an underdog, by far. Next closest was the game at Mason when we were +11.5

[MikeUMA]

There's a dude on Bluesky who does some pretty good AI-generated graphics for VCU matchups. Check out his offering for today:

It's a Minuteman taking his football and giving the finger to Bernadette, with the basketball on her desk. 5 stars.
https://bsky.app/profile/thetoddvcu.bsk ... jycykwhk2h

On a separate note, VCU has a fantastically-branded pre-game content: the Ruth's Chris What's at Steak report
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNvnazyLzNc

[InnervisionsUMASS]

haha that's fantastic

[MikeUMA]

Another bit of bad news for this one: VCU has been off for a week. While they've rested, we played on Saturday with guys throwing up during timeouts and getting IVs.

[tdmass]

Sounds like the perfect scenario for a UMass game!

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

is the 17.5 spread due to uncertainty of Curry and Jayden? anyone hear if they are playing tonight? Akil was also puking in a barrel Saturday.

[MikeUMA]

Jay Burnham reports that Jay Curry will be out tonight with the wrist injury, and maybe even at GW on Saturday also.
(Ndjigue is back in the starting five.)

And may as well pile on with the bad juju: We've never won at Siegel, going back to VCU's joining the A10 in 2012-13. 0-5

[LS71]

Painful 1st half. Only 22 points.

Down like 23 and Rivera and taunts.

VCU has doubled UMass up +2. Ouch….