The Pennsylvania will face the VCU in a non-conference basketball
Pennsylvania Quakers vs. VCU Rams: Preview, Predictions, and Key Stats
The Pennsylvania Quakers (3-6) will take on the VCU Rams (7-2) on Monday, December 9, in a non-conference college basketball clash at Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia. With tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, the Rams enter as heavy favorites, boasting a 22.5-point spread, and a 134.5-point total. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams, making it a fascinating matchup with both sides bringing distinct challenges to the table.
Pennsylvania Quakers: A Struggling Start to the Season
The Quakers have had a tough start to their 2024-25 campaign, winning just three of their first nine games. Despite snapping a four-game losing streak with a 77-64 win over Maine, they’ve since struggled to maintain momentum. After their victory, Pennsylvania suffered consecutive defeats to Elon (68-53) and Drexel (60-47), both of which highlighted the team’s inconsistency.
In their most recent outing against Drexel, the Quakers faced a tough second half, scoring only 17 points and ultimately falling short. The team made just 33.9% of their field goals, including a poor 4-for-18 from three-point range. Despite a 9/11 assist-to-turnover ratio, the offensive woes were too much to overcome.
Ethan Roberts, the team’s standout guard, has been the driving force for Penn this season, averaging 17.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He was one of the few bright spots in the loss to Drexel, contributing 11 points and 5 rebounds. Senior forward Nick Spinoso added 21 points and 7 rebounds in that game, but even his solid performance couldn’t lift the team past Drexel.
Pennsylvania ranks 235th in offensive efficiency (scoring 102.0 points per 100 possessions) and has struggled mightily defensively, ranking 344th in defensive efficiency, allowing 113.3 points per 100 possessions. If the Quakers are to compete in this game, they’ll need to drastically improve both their shooting and defensive consistency.
VCU Rams: Riding Momentum with Balanced Play
The VCU Rams come into this game riding a three-game winning streak after bouncing back from two close losses to Seton Hall (69-66 OT) and Nevada (64-61) earlier in the season. Since then, they’ve dominated opponents, defeating Miami (77-70), Elizabeth City State (103-58), and Georgia Southern (89-54) in decisive fashion.
In their most recent game, a thrashing of Georgia Southern, VCU showcased its defensive prowess, holding the Eagles to just 30.0% shooting from the field. The Rams covered the 19.5-point spread with ease, finishing with a dominant 18/13 assist-to-turnover ratio while shooting 46.3% from the field, including 12-for-32 from beyond the arc.
Senior guard Max Shulga has been instrumental in VCU’s success this season. Against Georgia Southern, he poured in 29 points, adding to his season averages of 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Shulga has been one of the most consistent performers for the Rams and will likely be the focal point of their offense against the Quakers.
VCU’s offense ranks 39th in the nation in offensive efficiency, scoring 111.7 points per 100 possessions. Defensively, the Rams are equally impressive, ranking 16th in defensive efficiency by allowing just 95.2 points per 100 possessions. This balance of explosive offense and solid defense makes VCU a dangerous team in the non-conference schedule and gives them a significant edge over Pennsylvania.
Conclusion
With VCU’s superior depth, offensive efficiency, and defensive prowess, the Rams are well-positioned to secure their fourth straight win. Pennsylvania will need to find a way to match the Rams’ intensity and scoring, but with VCU’s balanced attack led by Max Shulga and a defense that suffocates opponents, the Quakers face an uphill battle.
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