VCU wastes no time getting up to speed in win over VUU

SLIDESHOW: VCU vs. VUU

In practice, Virginia Commonwealth basketball coach Shaka Smart puts 14 seconds on the shot clock. If the side that is on offense does not get up a shot in that time, it becomes a turnover.

"If it's your shot," VCU guard Brandon Rozzell, "we want it to go up."

The Rams played fast and pressured the ball constantly under former coach Anthony Grant. They're playing at warp speed and pressuring the ball at every opportunity under Smart.

That much was evident after Smart put the new style on display for the first time in an often chaotic, sometimes ragged 85-55 victory over Division II Virginia Union last night before a large but unannounced crowd at the Siegel Center.

On back-to-back possessions after Union scored in the first half, VCU scored within five seconds.

"It was hectic," Union coach Willard Coker said. "When we scored, it was almost like it was an opportunity for them to run a fast break.

"We did a terrible job of getting back, and you have to take your hat off to VCU. They're well-conditioned and they push the ball down your throat, I mean right down your throat."

That is the identity Smart wants for his team.

"We've got a word for it: havoc," Rams forward Larry Sanders said. "We want to get the opposition in a state of mind where they don't know what's going on."

It seems to agree with Sanders. The 6-11 junior, a potential first-round draft pick in the NBA, had 22 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots against the smaller Panthers.

Sanders was 9 of 12 from the floor. He scored several baskets following up missed shots but also made a short hook shot, a fadeaway 12-footer and a monstrous dunk.

"Larry was terrific," Smart said. "That's the way he's played since we started practice. One of the best things about tonight was he had zero fouls. If we can do that on a nightly basis, we'll be in good shape."

Rozzell hit 4 of 6 3-pointers and added 14 points. Point guard Joey Rodriguez had 11 points and six assists.

Union, with nine newcomers, coughed up 21 turnovers against the Rams' constant pressure. Gregg Redford (14 points) was the only player in double figures for the Panthers, who shot 36.8 percent.

Still, Smart found plenty of areas that need improvement before the Rams open their season next Friday against Bethune-Cookman. VCU gave up some easy baskets, was just 7 of 25 on 3-pointers, had 15 turnovers and tired some in the second half.

"I've learned that we can be a very, very good team if we shore some things up," Smart said. "We've got some great pieces. . . . When things are going well, it's a terrific dynamic. I learned that our press can be very effective.

"On the flip side, I think we've got to get way better in terms of playing hard. We've got to dive on the floor for balls. We've got to do a better job of blocking out. Our halfcourt defense needs to be better. We need to pressure the ball. I could keep going, but I'll stop there."

Union begins its season Nov. 16 at Shaw.

"I think we'll be better than what we showed tonight," said Coker, whose team was picked to finish first in the CIAA Eastern Division. "It's early."

Virginia Union ------------------------- 27 28 -- 55
VCU ------------------------- 46 39 -- 85

Virginia Union : Bran. Byerson 8, McDonald 4, Brax. Byerson 6, Redford 14, Ramsey 6, Wilson 2, Simmons 4, Ford 8, Dupuy 1, King 0, Garba 2. Totals 21 10-13 55. 3-point goals: Brax. Byerson 2, Ford.

VCU : Gavin 4, Sanders 22, Rodriguez 11, Burgess 9, Gwynn 6, Grayson 2, Theus 1, Pishchalnikov 1, Daniels 3, Rozzell 14, Hinton 4, Nixon 8. Totals 31 16-21 85. 3-point goals: Rozzell 4, Rodriguez, Daniels, Nixon.