The Virginia Commonwealth Rams began the NCAA Basketball Tournament with a bit of a chip on their collective shoulders as they were trashed by the talking heads on Selection Sunday. On Sunday, the No. 11 seed more than proved they belong after destroying the No. 3 seed Purdue 94-76 and now head into the school’s first Sweet 16.
The Rams hit the gas in the first 20 minutes and didn’t let up. Bradford Burgess scored 25 points and 4 other VCU players scored in double digits surprising the Boilermakers and shooting the lights out. Draining eight 3 pointers and shooting 57 percent from the field, Purdue never saw what hit them.
Purdue was led by JaJuan Johnson with 25 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. The defense just could not contain VCU and it looked confused on ball screens and dribble penetration leading to wide open layups.
VCU advances to its first ever Sweet 16 and the CAA’s first since George Mason reached the Final Four in 2006. The Rams will face the winner of the Notre Dame-Florida State matchup.