VCU basketball notes

Skeen to make debut vs. Tulane

Forward Jamie Skeen's first game with Virginia Commonwealth will be at Tulane on Dec. 19.

Skeen, who transferred from Wake Forest, must sit out the first semester per NCAA transfer rules. He will miss the first eight games.

The 6-9, 245-pound junior was a top 100 recruit out of high school. He played two seasons at Wake, averaging 6.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.

"I think he'll have a strong impact on the team," VCU coach Shaka Smart said. "Whenever a guy's sitting out, you never know for sure. There's a tendency with coaches and fans and people around the program to look at a guy who's sitting out as a savior or a larger-than-life player. That's rarely the case, nor do I think that anyone should have that burden put on their shoulders.

"Jamie's someone who definitely has the ability to help us win games. He's played at a very high level. He's had some success at that level. I'm really excited about him joining our team, and I'm excited about him pushing some of the other guys in practice the first semester."

Rams add some muscle

Smart said several or the Rams have gotten stronger, something he attributes to new strength and conditioning coach Daniel Roose.

"Daniel Roose has done a terrific job with all of our guys," Smart said. "Kirill Pishchalnikov bench-pressed 185 pounds 22 times [last week]. We had several guys who, before Daniel got here, couldn't do 185 at all. Now everybody's doing reps at that weight. Bradford Burgess has completely blown up in terms of his body. He's gotten much stronger."

Smart said 6-11 junior forward Larry Sanders, a potential first-round NBA draft pick, has gotten stronger, although he hasn't put on much weight. Sanders is about 225 pounds.

"Because of Larry's metabolism and his body, he's not going to be this bulky, strong guy until he's 26 or 27 years old," Smart said. "I tell him all the time, 'Larry, when you're 25 or 26, you're going to be 255 pounds.' He laughs and smiles. He's going to continue to put on weight gradually."

Smart wants even swap in scheduling

When it comes to scheduling, Smart said he is more inclined to go after a home-and-home series with high-major teams. He doesn't consider two games on the road in exchange for one at home "good math" but said he would consider it.

"One of the things you'll see from us is aggressively searching out opportunities to play BCS teams in a home-and-home series," he said. "I don't want to guarantee that . . . but I think we'll be able to find some of those.

"The other great opportunity to play some of those upper-echelon teams is in exempt tournaments. Starting with next year, we'll be in one of those every year. Next year, we're in the preseason NIT. Unfortunately, it won't be a neutral game. We'll be playing at Wake Forest. But there's opportunities with other BCS teams after that."

Smart said the Rams "are talking to some people in BCS leagues that may potentially play home and home."

"I wish I had it in stone," he said, "but we're not at that point yet." - Tim Pearrell