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

2. There, arguably, may not have been a better player on both ends of the floor than Hason Ward

Hyland’s absence makes finding production on the offensive end all that more crucial – but that is also just as true on the defensive end.  He does sit fifth in steals per game in the A-10 at 2.0, and leads the team in fouls drawn per 40 minutes at 4.6.  Finding a replacement for that type of production – especially for a guy who takes 31.7% of VCU’s shots when he is in and is involved in 27.9% of possessions – comes down to committee, after a while.  But VCU had no issue finding that production.

Enter sophomore Hason Ward, in just his seventh collegiate start with the Rams – and was sensational on both ends of the court against Saint Louis.  In 24 minutes of play, Ward scored eight points on a perfect 4-4 clip – all the while hauling down two boards, dishing out three assists, and swatting three shots.

There is no greater embodiment of the type of hustle that Ward gave the Rams than this sequence in the second half, blocking a shot on one end of the court – and throwing down a dunk on the other end within seconds:

Ward has recorded just four double-digit games in his career, with three coming this season – all four being wins, for what it is worth.  But he has provided so much more for VCU, including averages of 5.0 boards and 1.14 assists, a team-best 59.6% shooting clip, and the A-10’s second-best mark in blocks per game at 2.4.

Again, just like the case with Baldwin – this is an extremely young team, meaning Ward will only get better as time goes on.  Outside of the 7-1 Brendan Medley-Bacon – who saw action in this game, in just his second appearance this calendar year – Ward is the next tallest player on VCU’s roster who sees substantial time, at just 6-9.  Being this effective in the open court – as evidenced by the clip above – is pivotal to VCU’s fast tempo, and he will only become more important moving forward.