Cavs and Rams collide in Old Dominion State showdown

Dec 6, 2014 - 3:52 PM Richmond, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - The seventh-ranked Virginia Cavaliers will face a tough test on Saturday afternoon, as they tangle with the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in a non-conference affair at the Siegel Center.

No challenge has been too difficult for Virginia, with the team a perfect 8-0 entering Saturday's duel. The Cavaliers' most recent success came on the road against former ACC rival Maryland (76-65). They will begin a three-game homestand next, beginning against Cleveland State on Dec. 18.

VCU is starting a three-game homestand of its own in this contest, with dates against Northern Iowa and Belmont coming up. The Rams topped Illinois State on the road last time out (66-62), improving their overall record to 5-2 in the process.

These in-state rivals have met 12 times previously, with Virginia claiming victory 10 times. However, when they met last season, the Rams escaped with a 59-56 win at John Paul Jones Arena.

Virginia led by as many as 18 points and never trailed against Maryland. The Cavaliers were successful on 53.1 percent of their shots from the floor, while limiting the Terrapins to 30 percent accuracy. They also enjoyed a 36-20 scoring edge in the paint and a 34-22 advantage in rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon scored a game-high 18 points, while Justin Anderson finished with 16 points and six boards, which tied for the team lead.

Last season, Virginia used its exceptional defensive ability to roll to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers are following the same blueprint this season. They currently rank among the top-five teams in the country in scoring defense (46.3 ppg, second), opponent field goal percentage (.311, fourth), opponent assists (7.1 apg, second) and opponent rebounds (26.4 rpg, third). Anderson (15.1 ppg) has made great strides as a scorer this season, connecting on 54.4 percent of his field goal attempts. Anthony Gill (12.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) scores and rebounds well, and Brogdon (12.2 ppg) is a tenacious defender, who can put the ball in the basket as well.

VCU avoided a setback against Illinois State thanks to a 13-5 run to finish the contest, capped by a pair of free throws by Briante Weber with four seconds to play. The Rams only made 33.8 percent of their shots from the floor, but they had 25 more field goal attempts than did the Redbirds because of 24 forced turnovers and 19 offensive rebounds. Melvin Johnson drained five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 19 points.

Shaka Smart's 'HAVOC' defensive scheme has not been as effective this season. The Rams are logging a solid number of steals per game (9.1), but they have not really slowed down teams offensively, with opponents falling just below 70 points per game and 45 percent shooting. Treveon Graham (17.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Johnson (17.1 ppg) have each taken it upon themselves to be the offensive forces for the squad. Weber (8.8 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.8 spg) is the next-best scorer on the roster, but he makes more of an impact as a passer and a defender, with his ability to rack up assists and steals.