So close, so familiar
Monday, March 19 at 11:53 p.m.
For a second, it looked like "the dagger" had made a return appearance.
It reminded me a lot of that last second shot against Duke last year in Buffalo.
Same player. Same shot. Different result.
Eric Maynor's last second jumper tonight got close, but unfortunately he wasn't lobbing a hand grenade or a horseshoe.
And that is how it ends. For VCU, the season is officially over. The boys can finally get some rest. I'm sure they could rest a lot better if they had a NIT trophy to curl up next to at night, but that's the way basketball tournaments go. Only one team goes home happy.
And once again, this is where our coverage of college basketball will come to an end. Though we would have loved to make that company-sponsored trip to Manhattan in a few weeks, we could use a little rest, too.
Until next season...
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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VCU down by 11 at half
Monday, March 19 at 8:05 p.m.
Though they took a commanding lead of the game throughout most of the first half, UAB has made a triumphant surge to lead the Rams 38-27 at the half.
UAB junior forward Reggie Huffman, who averaged 7.2 points per game this season, already has 12 points tonight, as well as five rebounds.
Part of VCU's problem so far is a major first half scoring deficit by CAA Player of the Year Eric Maynor. Though he has been attempting baskets all game, he didn't make his first and only field goal of the game until 1:32 left in the half.
Senior guard Jamal Shuler, on the other hand, is on fire. He is 3-for-4 from three-point land and leads the team with 11 points.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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VCU Hoopin' Again
Monday, March 10 at 6:55 p.m.
Though Virginia Commonwealth University (24-7) just missed the big NCAA men's basketball tournament this year, their post season journey continues tonight as the Rams take on University of Alabama-Birmingham (22-10) in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
Tonight marks VCU's fifth NIT appearance and 37th meeting with UAB, which used to be a Sun Belt Conference rival before the Rams entered the Colonial Athletic Association. VCU's last NIT appearance was in 2005 when the team lost to Davidson 77-62 in first round action at the Alltel Pavilion.
On the other hand, UAB has been to the NIT nine times, including two trips to the NIT Final Four in New York City in 1989 and 1993, losing in the semifinals both times.
Regarding VCU, keep your eye on a few things tonight. Big man Wil Famini is not starting in tonight's game due to knee tendonitis but has been listed as probable.
Also watch No. 24 Jamal Shuler. He enters the game only 10 points from the 1,000 career points mark. Should he make the mark, Shuler will be the 28th Ram to reach the 1,000 points.
Stay tuned to RBlog for a halftime update. We will also provide in-depth post game coverage later tonight.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor