VCU exits stage left, but the story is just beginning

Scott Wyant Staff Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. – Shaka Smart has been asked continually about “last year’s team,” and with every answer came a little frustration.

This year’s team showed that VCU's program isn’t about just one year, Smart is building a program that doesn’t take a back seat to anyone, just ask Indiana head coach Tom Crean.

“We knew VCU was really good on film, but they were even better in person,” Crean said.

A big factor in VCU’s ability to keep the Hoosiers at an arms length all night was the play of 7-foot center D.J. Haley. The Rams big man was able to go toe-to-toe with the Big Ten freshman of the year Cody Zeller, never backing down. Late in the game Haley was able to cleanly block the Hoosiers star post player.

Haley’s three points and three rebounds might not impress by just looking at the stat sheet, but the center made the hustle plays all night. Including baiting the Indiana post players into huge charge calls, swinging momentum in VCU’s favor.

“(D.J.) had a good opportunity to showcase his talent against Zeller,” VCU guard Darius Theus said. “We’re just proud of him and what he did to step up to the challenge.”

Despite losing loose senior iron man Bradford Burgess, the Rams returns plenty of firepower for next season, including sharpshooter Troy Daniels.

“We’re losing our leading scorer, but that’s just another task for us to step up,” Daniels said. “That’s what we did this year, and we’re looking forward to do it next year.”

“It stings right now, but we’ve got to turn the page,” D.J. Haley said. “We’re gonna come back and get right back at it, really hit it hard and come back strong next year.”

One thing is for sure this group of Rams has a chance to cement themselves in the VCU record book.

Troy Daniels with his two threepoint field goals against Indiana broke the Rams single season record, formerly held by B.A. Walker. Next year he has a shot to break it again.

Needing just 25 more wins, Daniels and classmate Darius Theus have a shot at breaking the career wins record held by Burgess.

Most importantly this VCU team has an excellent chance at returning to the NCAA Tournament for the thirdstraight year, a feat that the school has only accomplished once, during the 1983-85 seasons. CT