Rob Brandenberg misfired on a 3-pointer on one possession for Virginia Commonwealth on Wednesday.
Juvonte Reddic grabbed the rebound, which set up Darius Theus' runner in the lane that danced around the rim. Reddic again was there as it came off and stuffed it through.
Rebounding has not been a strength for VCU in recent seasons. And while the Rams' board work (33 per game) remains modest and they don't have a dominating individual presence this season, they are holding their own (33.6 for opponents), especially on the offensive end.
VCU had 14 offensive rebounds and 20 second-chance points in a 69-46 victory over South Florida on Wednesday.
That's the fifth time in seven games the Rams (4-3) have snatched at least 14 offensive boards, a trend they need to continue today when they take on George Washington (4-2) in the BB&T Classic at the Verizon Center in Washington.
"There's been an emphasis on rebounding," sophomore center D.J. Haley said. "Coach (Shaka) Smart said that could be our bread and butter. He's always said that since I've been here. But there's more of an emphasis on how hard we go in practice."
A gang approach has helped the Rams make up for the absence of a standout rebounder. Reddic is the leader with 5.6 per game. Haley and guard/forward Bradford Burgess each average 4.1.
Guards Troy Daniels (3.7), Briante Weber (3.1), Brandenberg (3.0) and Treveon Graham (2.9) have been involved. Weber, a 6-foot-3 freshman, has a 45-inch jump. Brandenberg, a 6-2 sophomore, has a 43-inch jump.
"We don't have one dominant rebounder," Smart said, "but we've got a lot of guys who can stick their nose in there and get some rebounds."
VCU has not shot well thus far — 38.5 percent — which has made second- and third-chance points more important. The Rams are collecting 13.9 offensive rebounds (36.6 percent of their misses). That's more than three better than last season and higher than any season except one since 2006-07.
Reddic, a 6-9 sophomore, has 19 offensive rebounds. Haley, who has improved his stamina this season while dropping about 7 pounds (243), has 18 in just 16.9 minutes per game.
He's made 8 of 11 shots from the floor while scoring 17 points the past three games.
"The approach I'm taking now (on offense) is just being effective," Haley said. "When it's thrown in to me, I want to make a nice move or kick it out, and then just go after offensive rebounds. My focus is on being aggressive down there.
"I realized if I'm rebounding, I'll play."
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