Men's Basketball 12/13/2022 10:15:00 AM

Radford And VCU Prepare For Wednesday Night Bout

RADFORD, Va. – Radford and VCU go head-to-head for a much-anticipated matchup at the Siegel Center on Wednesday night.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: VCU Rams (6-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Siegel Center (Richmond, Va.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch: CLICK HERE (ESPN+ and MASN)
Listen: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7 FM)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Buy Tickets: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
Radford is 3-6 all-time against VCU, with eight of the nine meetings taking place between 1989 and 1999. The Rams asserted themselves in an 82-48 win in Richmond all the way back on Dec. 12, 1989 but the Highlanders earned their first win in the series, 72-71, on Dec. 9, 1991.

One major factor that will come into play again is that both teams are undefeated on their home court when playing each other; Radford is 3-0 while VCU is 6-0.

The Rams have won each of the last two contests in the series, with the most recent meeting coming on Nov. 16, 2015. VCU earned a 92-74 victory in the Siegel Center despite 18 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds from Rashun Davis. Melvin Johnson led all players with 24 points, going 6-for-10 from deep.

SCOUTING THE RAMS
Entering Wednesday night's matchup with a 6-4 record on the season, VCU has already faced its fair share of ups and downs. The Rams were picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll – for comparison, George Washington was tabbed 12^th – while Ace Baldwin, Jr. and Jayden Nunn were both Preseason All-Conference selections.

Baldwin has played just five games due to injury and the Rams have suffered some disappointing losses, including a 73-62 defeat to Jacksonville at home last week. VCU did get back on track on Sunday night however, earning a 70-60 win over Howard.

Michigan transfer Brandon Johns, Jr. has been their most consistent player, averaging 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. As a team, the Rams rank 28^th in the nation in steals per game (9.6) and 41^st in blocks per game (4.8), but a 41.2% field goal percentage and a 29.3% three-point shooting percentage has limited their potential on the other end.

POWER IN THE PAINT
There's no denying that Radford's guard play has been strong this season, but let's not forget about the offensive contributions of the big men. Souleymane Koureissi (6'10") is shooting 73.3% in his first season donning the Radford red and Justin Archer (6'7") is at 72.7% as well.

Madiaw Niang (6'10") is a bit more likely to take a jumper from the elbow or baseline extended, but his shooting percentage stands at a solid 67.6%. And the program's current all-time leader in shooting percentage, Shaquan Jules (6'7"), is shooting 66.7% on 45 field goal attempts, the most of this group.

BLOCK PARTY
The art of shot blocking hasn't been a major part of Radford's game each of the last two seasons. The Highlanders swatted just 48 shots in 27 games during Mike Jones' final season at the helm and then Darris Nichols' squad recorded just 44 blocks in 29 games last season.

This year however, Radford already has 36 blocks in just 10 games, led by Shaquan Jules who has matched his career high with 12. The rest of the Highlanders' blocked shots can be found up and down the roster as nine other players have two or more rejections.

FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordHoops on Twitter, 'radfordhoops' Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.

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