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VCU Rams (Last Year: 27-9, 12-4 in A-10)
2013-14 Projected Depth Chart:
F/C: Juvonte Reddic (Sr)/Terrence Shannon (Sr)/Jarred Guest (Jr)/Antravious Simmons (Fr)/Mo Alie-Cox (Fr)
G/F: Treveon Graham (Jr)
G/F: Jordan Burgess (Fr)/Melvin Johnson (Soph)
SG: Rob Brandenberg (Sr)/Doug Brooks (Fr)/Jarius Lyles (Fr)
PG: Briante Weber (Jr)/JeQuan Lewis (Fr)
Gone: SG-Troy Daniels, PG-Darius Theus, F/C-David Hinton, G-Teddy Okereafor (transfer-Rider), C-D.J. Haley (transfer-USC), PF-Justin Tuoyo (transfer-Chatanooga)
2013-14 Outlook:
VCU finished 11th in the nation in scoring last year, so the Rams’ up-tempo style of play will once again key their success. The team’s top point scorer is back in Treveon Graham, who oftens plays the role of power forward in Smart’s frequent four-guard lineup. Rob Brandenberg also returns and is not only a capable scorer in his own right, but also epitomizes what Smart looks for in a quick, defensive nuisance at guard.
The Rams lose three-point sniper Troy Daniels and point guard Darius Theus, but have capable replacement. Briante Weber backed Theus up last year and will assume the role of floor general. He isn’t a great scorer, but is a pest of an on-the-ball defender. Jordan Burgess missed all of last season because he was academically ineligible, but is an extremely talented wing who figures to start if Smart does go with a four-guard look. His game is similar to his brother’s, former Ram Bradford Burgess, in that he is aggressive and can do a little bit of everything on the floor.
Melvin Johnson will be the first guard off the bench and provides scoring punch. A trio of freshmen, JeQuan Lewis, Doug Brooks, and Jarius Lyles; figure to battle for playing time as well as Smart should go deep into his bench to keep his team as fresh as possible, which can be difficult to do with VCU’s fast-paced style of play.
The anchor of the frontcourt returns in Juvonte Reddic. He brings physicality in the paint, athleticism in the open floor, and an inside/outside ability on the offensive end. The addition of Florida State transfer Terrence Shannon gives the Rams another capable low post presence, who could end up starting if Smart decides to use more of a standard looking lineup. Reserve Jarred Guest is back, while Mo Alie-Cox suits up this year after having to sit all of last season because he was academically ineligible. Freshman Antravious Simmons gives VCU another post option, but is likely the odd-man-out of the rotation.
The VCU Rams have established themselves as one of the premiere mid-major programs in the country, and as long as the team keeps Smart around, that won’t change anytime soon. VCU gets the edge over La Salle and St. Louis as favorites in the Atlantic-10, and with the Rams’ up-tempo play, are a team that nobody will want to see in the NCAA Tournament.
Player to Watch: Treveon Graham, G/F
The 6-6 wing more than doubled his scoring a year ago and should be a candidate for Atlantic-10 Player of the Year. He is the team’s top three-point threat and with the Rams losing Daniels, Graham needs to be even more of a threat from the outside.
Key Non-Conference Games:
Predicted Atlantic-10 Finish: 1st
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