VCU basketball notes

Reminders about exhibition plentiful

Shaka Smart served as an assistant coach at Division II California University in Pennsylvania, so he's well-aware of Virginia Union's reputation as a powerhouse in the Division II world.

Still, several people have made a point to remind Virginia Commonwealth's new coach about the interest in the Rams' annual exhibition game against Union next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Siegel Center.

"I have run into a lot of people around town who mentioned the game," Smart said. "Some of them are Union graduates. Some of them are VCU graduates.

"I look at it as a great thing to have someone this close who obviously has a terrific program, a great history. It's an opportunity to measure yourself against a good team this early in the year."

Smart, though, said he will treat it as an exhibition.

"You always look at any type of exhibition as a chance to get better," he said. "People really get caught up in the score any time the score is kept. But the reality is that it is a tune-up for the real thing, and it gives us a chance to look at different lineups."

VCU opens its season Nov. 13 against Bethune-Cookman at the Siegel Center.

Starters may change throughout season

VCU has four starters returning -- junior guard Joey Rodriguez, sophomore guard/forward Bradford Burgess, junior forward Larry Sanders and senior forward Kirill Pishchalnikov -- plus others who played a lot of minutes last year. But Smart said he hasn't settled on a starting lineup.

"I don't think this is a team where the starting lineup is going to matter as much," Smart said. "I can see the starting lineup changing at different times."

Practice has good, sloppy moments

Smart said the Rams, getting accustomed to a new coaching staff and its version of a fast-paced, pressing system, have looked "good at times, sloppy at times" in practice.

"But that's the case for most teams this time of year," said Smart, whose team has a closed scrimmage against La Salle this weekend. "Guys are working hard. . . . There's a lot to learn just because there's a new system and a lot of the communication is different. We're coming along, making improvements."

Smart said he would like to see the Rams improve their "ability to value the basketball. And I think rebounding is definitely going to be an area that we need to improve on. We have some guys who can be very good rebounders, but we need to be a better rebounding team."

VCU was outrebounded slightly (34.5 to 33.9) last season.

Gavin could get some point time

Rodriguez will handle most of the point guard duties along with freshmen Issiah Grayson and Darius Theus, but Smart said shooting guard Jay Gavin may play some there as well.

Gavin, a sophomore, sat out last year after transferring from Marist, where he averaged 12.3 points.

"Jay has played some point guard in practice, and he's been pretty good," Smart said. "I really like Jay having an emphasis on putting the ball in the basket because he does that well. So I'm not sure how much we'll use him there, but he has been pretty good at times when he's been at that spot."

Saintil scheduled for surgery today

Sophomore forward Terrance Saintil is scheduled to undergo surgery today to repair ligament damage in his right thumb. He is expected to miss about two months.

Saintil injured the thumb on his shooting hand during practice last weekend.

The 6-8, 240-pound Saintil averaged 1.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 7.7 minutes as a freshman. -- Tim Pearrell