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VCU Basketball: 3 takeaways from huge win over Saint Louis Billikens

By Benjamin Zacher

FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 05: Vince Williams #10 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the George Mason Patriots at the Eagle Bank Arena on January 5, 2020 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 05: Vince Williams #10 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the George Mason Patriots at the Eagle Bank Arena on January 5, 2020 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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VCU Basketball Adrian Baldwin Jr. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
VCU Basketball Adrian Baldwin Jr. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Without Hyland, Ace Baldwin took leadership on the floor – and showed just how good he is

With Nah’Shon Hyland – arguably, the favorite for A-10 Player of the Year – out after suffering a right foot sprain in VCU’s loss to George Mason on Saturday, a major concern for the Rams entering this tilt was who would provide the leadership and the offense.

To say the least, Ace Baldwin accepted the challenge and ran with it.  In his first campaign at the collegiate level, Baldwin recorded a career-high in points with 15 (4-8 2PT, 1-3 3PT, 4-4 FT), all the while stuffing the stat-sheet with three rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.  Baldwin played a full 40 minutes, committing just two turnovers and one foul.

What may be even more significant and impressive for VCU, however, is just how confident and smart Baldwin was down the stretch – especially compared to the George Mason game.  Against the Patriots, Baldwin missed what would have been a go-ahead layup with 35 seconds left in regulation – and mismanaged an intentional miss on a free-throw at the end of overtime.

But against the Billikens, Baldwin drained a crucial long-range bomb with five minutes left – before closing out the final minute with four-straight free-throws to give VCU the lead, and, eventually, ice the game.  With Hyland’s timetable still unknown, especially with Saturday’s game at Davidson looming large, Baldwin’s acceptance into this role is greatly significant for VCU.

Hyland has only reached double-digits in seven of VCU’s 22 games, but the freshman is also averaging 4.5 assists per game, eighth in the A-10 – and ranks sixth in assist/turnover ratio at 2.0.  With the Rams ranking 305th nationally in average experience – with an average of 1.25 years – they are proving to be a force that is still growing.  In turn, that means Baldwin will only get better as time goes on – and if his performance against Saint Louis was any indication, then he is an All-Conference caliber talent in the making.