The Virginia Commonwealth Rams took a big step in answering the critics and talking heads by dismantling Southern Cal 59-46 in First Round NCAA Tournament Action in Dayton, Ohio on Wednesday night.
VCU leaned on a 16 point and 9 rebound effort from Senior guard Jamie Skeen to guide them into the 2nd round. The Rams drained nine 3 point baskets and snatched 15 offensive rebounds in a game that was actually tied at halftime.
VCU coach Shaka Smart opened his postgame address by saying,
“You guys think Jay Bilas watched that game?”
USC had little going for them almost all night as they only attempted 38 shots in 40 minutes while turning the ball over 15 times. Forward Nikola Vucevic scored 11 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to pace the Trojans.
USC Head Coach Kevin O’Neill summed it up quite well:
“We didn’t have it all night,” USC coach Kevin O’Neill said. “Unfortunately, it happened on a stage that’s a one-and-done stage. There are no do-overs in the NCAA Tournament.”
VCU now heads to Chicago to face No. 6 seed Georgetown in 2nd round NCAA action on Friday.
So to Jay Bilas, Dick Vitale and the rest of the nation asking V-C-Who? It’s VCU.