VCU notes

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: January 19, 2010

Sanders expected to play vs. Tribe

Virginia Commonwealth forward Larry Sanders has a strained tendon in his right foot but is expected to play tomorrow against William and Mary.

Sanders suffered the injury during the first half of Saturday's game at Georgia State but continued to play. The 6-11 junior, who leads the Rams in scoring (15.3 points per game), rebounding (8.1) and blocked shots (3.0), was able to get limited practice time yesterday, VCU coach Shaka Smart said.

Smart said he didn't think Sanders would be limited in what looms as an important Colonial Athletic Association game at the Siegel Center for the Rams (4-3, 12-4) as they try to make up ground in the CAA, "but I'm not in his body. We'll go by what the doctors say and by what he's saying."

VCU is two games behind front-running William and Mary (6-1, 14-3), one of four teams tied for first in the CAA. The Tribe beat the Rams 75-74 in Williamsburg in early December.

JC forward commits to Rams

The Rams picked up a commitment from junior college forward Toby Veal. The 6-7 225-pounder is averaging 11.5 points and nine rebounds for Northwest Florida State College. He will have two seasons of eligibility at VCU.

Veal was rated the 41st power forward prospect by Rivals.com coming out of Johnson High School in Savannah, Ga. He averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds as a senior.

He started his career at Colorado but transferred after his freshman season. In 18 games, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 6.9 minutes.

Veal said he went to Colorado because of the background of coach Jeff Bzdelik, who was the Denver Nuggets' coach for 2½ seasons and spent 15 seasons as a coach and scout in the NBA. Veal said he transferred because of playing time and a desire to be closer to his daughter.

Veal said he was recruited by Smart and VCU assistant Will Wade while they were assistants at Clemson.

"I feel real comfortable with the coaches, and I'll be a little bit closer to home," said Veal, who said he visited VCU during an AAU trip as a 10th-grader. "My mom is in Philadelphia, so I'll be closer to her, too."

Veal said he's more of a power forward who prefers facing the basket, "but whatever they need, that's how I'm going to be." He is described as an athletic big man who can run the floor, a must in VCU's fast-paced system.

"[Coach Smart] said I'll fit right in," he said.

The NCAA prohibits coaches from commenting on recruits until they sign.

VCU has two seniors, T.J. Gwynn and Kirill Pishchalnikov, and has signed two recruits for next season.

Veal's addition means someone will have to leave to open a scholarship. Sanders is a potential NBA draft pick.

Silent auction for victims in Haiti

VCU will hold a silent auction online and during its men's and women's home basketball games this week to raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

The list of items to be auctioned can be found on http://www.vcuathletics.com. The auction begins at the same online site Wednesday at 9 a.m. and ends Friday at 5 p.m.

A table for bids will be set up on the concourse of the Siegel Center for tomorrow's game against William and Mary and Thursday's women's game against Delaware. -- Tim Pearrell