Good Game and Video Highlights from VCURamNation

[Districtballer]

Hey Zips fans,Just wanted to say good game to you guys. There was a small but vocal contingent of Zips fans at the Siegel Center (I assume most of whom were parents). They were very nice and cordial throughout the game. For those of you who watched the game I hope you now see what I was talking about when I said we are tough to beat at home. We were actually a little quieter than we usually are for tv games, but the 7,248 in attendance were pretty vocal for the most part. You guys aren't a bad team (20 wins is evidence enough of that), but still lost by 17 points in a game that VCU lead basically from wire-to-wire. It's not an indiction of the Zips, but more the VERY strong homecourt advantage we have at the Siegel Center. It seems that several of you were particularly harsh on your team, I can sympathize as we had several of our own fans come out with similar sentiments during our recent 2 game losing streak last week. One thing about college basketball is that you need to try and stay away from getting too emotionally high off of wins, and too low after losses. Learn to appreciate the good with the bad, and the wins will be that much sweeter when they do occur. Here are some of my thoughts on sub-plots that were discussed prior to the game:Larry Sanders vs. Zeke Marshall: Much as I predicted, Zeke didn't get many minutes and was pretty raw all game (2 points on 1-5 shooting, 3 rebounds in 10 minutes of play)...while Larry just missed a double-double, scoring 15 points (7-9 from the field), 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in just 20 minutes of play due to foul trouble. Larry showed why he's an NBA prospect and Zeke is what most thought he would be from our end. He shows some solid fundamentals and a nice soft touch for a guy his size, but he's very soft and needs to be more aggressive and time in the weightroom wouldn't hurt either. Our athleticism and talent vs. Akron's: This is hard to gauge since Akron couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with their shooting today. I think it was clear that our players were on a different level from both a strength and athleticism standpoint. We do recruit a bit of a higher level player due to our higher national profile. That said, I think Dambrot recruits a specific player for his system, and he makes it work pretty well. I do agree that playing cupcakes and loading up wins that way is probably not the best way to go, but when building a program like Dambrot is where there isn't too much tradition or previous success, sometimes building a culture of winning is more important, and that may take some time. While we weren't getting too much respect from some fans here, it's clear Coach Dambrot recognized the difference between our programs from his post-game comments. Our messageboard community does great work covering the Rams and this game was no exception. The game video highlights as well as post-game comments from both Shaka Smart and Keith Dambrot in addition to some of the players can be found here (scroll down to view the player):http://www.vcuramnation.com/2010/02/video-vcu-vs-akron/Here are high-quality photos from the game action as well (scroll down to view the pics):http://www.vcuramnation.com/2010/02/photos-vcu-vs-akron/Once again, it was good talking to you guys and I do wish you guys the best from here on out as always! Good luck against Can't State!

[Dr Z]

Larry projected to be picked 13th in Ian's mock draft for Sports Illustrated. (click here)

[Districtballer]

Larry projected to be picked 13th in Ian's mock draft for Sports Illustrated. (click here)

I doubt he goes that high actually. He's likely a late teens into the mid-20's pick. He's worked out for 14 NBA teams and cancelled 2 workouts with Memphis and Atlanta.

One cool tidbit is that if Sanders' projections hold and he goes in the first round of the draft tonight at Madison Square Garden, VCU will be the only school in history of college basketball in the state of Virginia to have back-to-back first round NBA draft picks (Eric Maynor went 20th overall to Utah last year). With 2 ACC schools in Virginia and Virginia Tech, and strong mids such as George Mason, Old Dominion, and Richmond, this is pretty impressive for us. The Ram Nation is pretty excited today!

[Captain Kangaroo]

Larry projected to be picked 13th in Ian's mock draft for Sports Illustrated. (click here)

I doubt he goes that high actually. He's likely a late teens into the mid-20's pick. He's worked out for 14 NBA teams and cancelled 2 workouts with Memphis and Atlanta.

One cool tidbit is that if Sanders' projections hold and he goes in the first round of the draft tonight at Madison Square Garden, VCU will be the only school in history of college basketball in the state of Virginia to have back-to-back first round NBA draft picks (Eric Maynor went 20th overall to Utah last year). With 2 ACC schools in Virginia and Virginia Tech, and strong mids such as George Mason, Old Dominion, and Richmond, this is pretty impressive for us. The Ram Nation is pretty excited today!

I predict he goes to the Celtics. They need a fast, rangy big man to run with Rondo. And, someone to spell Perkins in the interior. Sanders is a perfect fit, and could extend Garnett's career by a year or two.

[Districtballer]

Larry projected to be picked 13th in Ian's mock draft for Sports Illustrated. (click here)

I doubt he goes that high actually. He's likely a late teens into the mid-20's pick. He's worked out for 14 NBA teams and cancelled 2 workouts with Memphis and Atlanta.

One cool tidbit is that if Sanders' projections hold and he goes in the first round of the draft tonight at Madison Square Garden, VCU will be the only school in history of college basketball in the state of Virginia to have back-to-back first round NBA draft picks (Eric Maynor went 20th overall to Utah last year). With 2 ACC schools in Virginia and Virginia Tech, and strong mids such as George Mason, Old Dominion, and Richmond, this is pretty impressive for us. The Ram Nation is pretty excited today!

I predict he goes to the Celtics. They need a fast, rangy big man to run with Rondo. And, someone to spell Perkins in the interior. Sanders is a perfect fit, and could extend Garnett's career by a year or two.

Most guys in our fan base would agree with you Captain K, he looks like a great fit in Boston. With Rasheed Wallace retiring, they'll need a big. There aren't many big men in this draft who run the floor like Larry does and Rondo loves to get out in transition. With Ray Allen possibly moving on though, they might also be looking at a 2 guard as a contingency plan. There's a lot of uncertainty now with Ray Allen, Rasheed Wallace retiring, and Doc Rivers leaning towards leaving.

There have been rumors that the Bucks promised him at 15 (which they deny) and the Bulls apparently like him at 17 as well:

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post...ulls-might-pick

This link has a video outlining why Larry would be a good fit for Chicago with analysts Doug Gottlieb and Tim Legler breaking down his game. The video clips have some of his games against Akron too, so you guys get a little face-time as well.

[Dr Z]

There have been rumors that the Bucks promised him at 15 (which they deny)

Damn Lies!

[Districtballer]

Larry Introductory Press Conference with Bucks' GM John Hammond (Reiging NBA Executive of the Year)

http://www.nba.com/bucks/video/2010/06/25/...s100625-1358236

Here's the link to highlights from Larry's introductory press conference. It's 8 minutes long and there are comments from GM John Hammond first and then Larry answering questions from the Milwaukee media. Larry availed himself well here and while a little more subdued then normal (clearly he is still a little starstruck), he showed his great personality as well.

Pick 15 Analysis- Larry Sanders: Kansas' Head Coach Bill Self and David Aldridge

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/draft/20...5_analysis.nba/

Dave Aldridge and Kansas' Head Coach Bill Self analyze the Bucks' selection of Sanders at 15. They love the pick and both Aldridge and Self love Sanders' game and Self was highly complementary of VCU as well!

Bucks' Draft Review: David Aldridge and Kenny 'the Jet' Smith

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/draft/20...review_mil.nba/

NBA TV breaks down the Bucks' overall draft with a heavy emphasis on Larry and a breakdown of why they love the pick. David Aldridge and Kenny 'the Jet' Smith are featured in this breakdown.

Bucks' Draft Review: Coach Lawrence Frank (former NJ Nets HC), David Aldridge, and Ron Thompson

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2...aft_review.nba/

Yet another Draft Review of the Bucks from NBA TV this time with Coach Lawrence Frank, Ron Thompson, and David Aldridge. This 3:08 video segment breaks down the picks and all of the analysts were quite optimistic that Larry will be a great fit in Milwaukee!

Aldridge says that the Bucks have a bright future ahead with Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut having their best basketball ahead of them. "With Mbah Moute on the perimeter, Larry Sanders in the back, and Brandon Jennings harrassing people out front, you have a team that will take on the identity of its' coach, and those are the teams that usually wind up being successful."

[Dave in Green]

Congratulations to Larry Sanders on being the 15th player selected in the NBA draft. I hope to see Zeke Marshall do as well in a few years, if he decides that playing in the NBA takes priority over a career in the computer industry.