Rams’ concerns extend beyond identity of next foe

Jeff Capel and Oklahoma make a much-anticipated visit to the sold-out Siegel Center tonight.

While much of the focus has been on the return of Virginia Commonwealth's former coach and the opportunity to get a signature win over the 17th-ranked team in the country, the Rams (1-1) may be better served by focusing upon themselves.

Some problems emerged in an eyebrow-raising 83-67 loss at Western Michigan Wednesday, a loss that was almost as disturbing for 'how much' as for 'how'. This was a team the Rams whipped by 17 points last year.

"Any time you lose a game the way we lost, there's quite a bit of concern as a coach," said new VCU coach Shaka Smart, whose team had a 17-point lead in the first half. "But it's early in the season.

"The optimistic side of me says there are a lot of really good things we can do and that we have inside of us. We've got a lot of guys who at different times can make a lot of positive contributions. But those things need to be brought to the table more often and more consistently. We need to be bothered by some of the things we didn't do well enough."

In general areas, Smart wants to see more leadership and toughness. After bolting to a 26-9 lead in the first nine minutes, the Rams couldn't answer or stop the Broncos while being outscored 74-41 in the final 31 minutes. They surrendered 48 points in the second half.

"[Leadership is] huge," he said. "That is an area where we have to keep getting better and better. I'm searching for different guys who are able to step in and take the leadership role."

VCU shot poorly (30.7 percent), something that was compounded by poor shot selection. It lost its aggressiveness in the press and committed a ton of fouls forwards Larry Sanders and Kirill Pishchalnikov, the only regulars taller than 6-5, picked up a combined five fouls and played a combined 13 minutes in the first half. And the Rams continued to allow dribblers to get into the lane too easily.

"Oklahoma has some terrific guards," Smart said. "They have some guys who are great at getting to the basket. We've got to do a better job guarding the ball one-on-one and making sure we don't put our defense at a disadvantage by getting beat."

Capel coached at VCU from 2002-06 before moving to Oklahoma. He lost forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, from last year's team that advanced to the Elite Eight. But he brought in one of the country's top recruiting classes.

In the backcourt, the Sooners (2-0) have sophomore Willie Warren, considered a top NBA draft pick, and freshman Tommy Mason-Griffin, a McDonald's All-American. They have another McDonald's All-American in 6-9, 296-pound freshman Keith "Tiny" Gallon.

"It's weird coming back as an opponent," Capel said. "It will be strange to be in a different locker room. But our team needs this type of challenge. We know it's going to be a hostile place. It's going to take an incredible effort to win in that environment. I'm excited to see who we are and how we are."

So is Smart.

"Our guys are competitive," Smart said. "They understand what occurred wasn't acceptable. It wasn't our kind of basketball."

Contact Tim Pearrell at (804) 649-6965 or .