Road Test in Richmond: Lobos Face VCU’s Depth, Defense, and Deafening Crowd
VCU sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. (No. 6) and freshman guard Jordan Tillery (No. 14) celebrate during VCU’s 83-57 win over Samford on Friday Dec. 5. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.
The Lobos won’t have The Pit crowd behind them Wednesday, as they travel 1,833 miles to Richmond, Va. for a huge road test against VCU (6–3).
The Rams enter the matchup ranked No. 41 in KenPom and No. 48 in the NET, giving UNM another potential Quad 1 opportunity. VCU has built an impressive résumé, including wins over Virginia Tech (KenPom No. 66) and South Florida (KenPom No. 79), and played North Carolina State (KenPom No. 37) to within six points on the road.
UNM will experience the other side of a hostile home environment: the Siegel Center, which seats 7,617. VCU has sold out three of its four home games and reached 95% capacity in the other. First-year head coach Phil Martelli Jr., who led Bryant to the NCAA Tournament last year, hasn’t been shy about praising the atmosphere..
Photo of VCU’s student section courtesy of VCU Athletics.
“We love playing here,” Martelli said before VCU’s home game against Samford. “One of—if not the—best venues in college basketball, the best fans in college basketball... There are teams that don’t want to come here.”
Hmm… that sounds familiar.
Like UNM, VCU feeds off its crowd and uses momentum to fuel big scoring runs. In their four home games, the Rams posted 14–0, 20–6, and most recently a 27–6 run against Samford on Friday.
VCU’s Depth and Defensive Identity
One of the most striking features of this VCU team is its depth. Eleven of VCU’s 13 players average at least 13 minutes per game, and none of the Rams’ starters play more than 25 minutes. Martelli frequently substitutes to maximize energy.
“There’s no reason to save ourselves,” Martelli said when explaining what expectations are of guys coming off the bench after the Samford game where VCU scored 50 bench points. “(Is) there just somebody that can come in and provide a spark? So give us everything you got for whether its two minutes, three minutes, four minutes whatever it is.”
The depth is crucial to the Rams’ defensive philosophy. VCU plays aggressive, physical, pressure-heavy defense and forces nearly 15 turnovers per game. VCU ranks 15th nationally in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, allowing just 46% effective field-goal shooting and 44% on 2-pointers, showing that the Rams force teams to take tough, low-percentage shots.
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Keys for UNM on Offense
1. Smart Shot Selection
UNM has started to embrace Eric Olen’s paint-first approach and must continue that against VCU. The Lobos should resist settling for early 3-pointers and continue to prioritize paint touches through its playmakers. New Mexico is at its best when it attacks the rim, gets to the free-throw line, and generates 3-pointers through consistent dribble penetration.
2. Handle VCU’s Ball Pressure
This is arguably the most important key. VCU’s guards are athletic, aggressive, and deep, with #0 Brandon Jennings (15 steals), #1 Nyk Lewis (14 steals), and #2 Jadrian Tracey (8 steals) supplying constant pressure. The Rams trap, blitz ball screens, and use their length to disrupt rhythm.
Albury and Tenette will face a challenge getting downhill like they did against Santa Clara. Chris Howell, Luke Haupt, and other playmakers may need to shoulder some decision-making responsibilities and make plays in the paint.
3. Attack the Offensive Glass
VCU’s three losses all share a theme: opponents have had success on the offensive glass. In those games, the Rams gave up 13 offensive rebounds and 14 second-chance points on average.
UNM’s bench—particularly JT Rock, Kevin Patton Jr., and Luke Haupt—has been highly effective on the offensive glass against Mississippi State, NMHU, and Santa Clara. If the Lobos can secure extra possessions and convert at the rim, they can counter some of VCU’s defensive pressure.
VCU’s Offense
VCU averages 84.3 points per game, shoots a 53% effective field-goal percentage, and hits 35% from three. VCU has a similar shot profile to UNM, with 53% of their shots coming from inside the arc and 47% coming from the 3-point line.
The Rams also get to the free-throw line more than most teams: they rank 26th in KenPom free-throw attempt rate, averaging 20 attempts per game.
Much like UNM, VCU does not rely on a single scorer. The Rams have had five different leading scorers in nine games, and five players average between nine and 13 points per game. Their offense is unpredictable and balanced.
VCU Player Previews
No. 6 Terrence Hill Jr. – 6-3 Sophomore Guard
VCU’s most dangerous shooter and leading scorer (13.1 ppg) comes off the bench. Hill is shooting a remarkable 51% from deep on 49 attempts. He moves well without the ball and capitalizes on defensive breakdowns. UNM cannot rotate off him in its help defense; look at his range.
No. 5 Barry Evans – 6-8 Senior Forward
Evans leads the Rams in rebounds (6.1 per game) and assists (2.9 per game), and has recorded two double-doubles this season. His breakout game at NC State showcased his versatility.
No.1 Nyk Lewis – 6-1 Freshman Guard
A two-time Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Week, Lewis is second on the team in assists and had a season-high 19 points against Utah State. He’s a two way player that can score and also matchup with UNM’s athletic guards on defense.
Other Key Contributors
#17 Lazar Djokovic -- 6-11 Junior Forward: 11 ppg, leads the team with 6 free-throw attempts per game.
#2 Jadrian Tracey 6-6 -- Senior Guard: 12 ppg, 40% from 3-point range on 47 attempts.
#22 Keshawn Mitchell – 6-11 Junior Forward: Coming off a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double vs. Samford.
#8 Michael Belle – 6-8 Senior Guard/Forward: Averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds over the last four games; another long, athletic defender.
VCU averages 34 bench points per game, making their scoring extremely difficult to predict.
Bottom Line for UNM
When the Lobos look across the court Wednesday night, they may see a version of themselves: a deep, aggressive team that relies on defense, pressure, and some transition offense. UNM’s biggest challenge will be executing in a true road environment. Their first road test at New Mexico State, UNM was not able to make plays down the stretch and lost a close game. UNM looks like it’s turned the corner, but has to prove it can win tough games on the road.
