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VCU Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Rams to beat Wichita State Shockers

By Bryan Mauro

RICHMOND, VA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Rhoades of the VCU Rams calls a play in the first half during a game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Stuart C. Siegel Center on December 7, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Rhoades of the VCU Rams calls a play in the first half during a game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Stuart C. Siegel Center on December 7, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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RICHMOND, VA – NOVEMBER 05: Marcus Evans #2 of the VCU Rams (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – NOVEMBER 05: Marcus Evans #2 of the VCU Rams (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

2. Stars Shine Bright

The one thing that can be said about VCU is they have a tremendous amount of depth and they consistently play 10 guys. Even though the Rams have a great amount of depth they are still led by three players. Those players have played a ton of basketball for coach Rhoades and they are the three players who are going to have to put the Rams on their back and help them win this game. In a road game, especially one in a hostile environment the road team often looks to their stars to make plays and lead the team to a victory.

De’Riante Jenkins, Marcus Evans and Marcos Santos-Silva are the three go to players for the Rams. Jenkins and Evans in the backcourt are both seniors. Those two players have a penchant for showing up when the lights are the brightest. All three players impact the game in many ways not just with their ability to score.

Evans is one of the best guards in the Atlantic 10 and can get score points in bunches. The senior guard is a good shooter from deep making over 40% of his attempts. Even despite all of that it still doesn’t feel that he has taken off on the offensive end yet. Evans has been great on the defensive end and with his ability to run the offense. Something tells me this is just the type of game to get the star going on the offensive end. If he gets going that would be huge for VCU. He is good enough to carry them when he gets hot.

Jenkins and Santos-Silva are also going to need to have big games. Jenkins is the defensive stopper on the team and has a penchant for getting steals and getting the Rams out in transition. The guard also doesn’t turn the ball over and is a great ball handler. The guard is steady, and his ball handling and basketball IQ are just what a team going into a hostile environment need. Santos-Silva is one of the better rebounders in the mid major ranks and he also can go off for a lot of points. The big man is a great offensive rebounder and averages over one block per game.  The junior big man had a huge game against Charleston to lead them to a victory.

If he does that again VCU will be looking at potentially a 2-0 road trip. If these three stars play like they are capable VCU can escape with a win. If they don’t get the normal production out of one of these guys the Rams might have a tough day.