With Selection Sunday quickly approaching, it is time to start taking a look at the teams that are going to make noise outside the power structure. Every Monday, I’ll spotlight a team and player making significant noise the week prior. Today we will take a look at the VCU Rams who had a huge week in an effort to boast their at-large hopes.
Team of the Week: VCU
Record: 15-4
KenPom rank: 47
Projected NCAA Tournament Seed: Last Four In
No mid-major had a bigger week to boost their NCAA Tournament hopes than Mike Rhoades team. On Tuesday night, they went on the road and beat a hot Dayton team in a game that was tight the whole way. The Rams followed that up two nights later with a win over fellow at-large hopeful Saint Bonaventure. That win cancelled out a 16 point road loss to the Bonnies three weeks earlier.
The Rams are a team that is built to win in March. It is a deep roster that has seen nine players play at least 30% of minutes this season. The centerpiece of those nine players is an emerging star. Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland is playing like one of the best players in the country right now. The guard has scored at least 19 points in every contest during the Rams five game win streak. This was highlighted by a 23 point performance that included a game winning three in an overtime win at Rhode Island. The way the Rams are winning behind the play of Hyland, they are definitely going to be a factor in March.
Player of the Week: Grayson Murphy, Belmont
Belmont is one of the few mid-majors in the country that is in the national conversation every year. With that said, it is hard to believe that there had been no triple doubles in the history of the program. That changed Saturday Night through do it all guard Grayson Murphy. The preseason first-team OVC player put up 13/12/10 in a convincing win over Morehead State. Given the point guards versatility, this type of performance felt inevitable at some point in his career. This performance was even more significant as Morehead looked like the stiffest test in the conference. The Eagles came to Belmont having won 12 in a row before the Bruins crushed them.
Mid Major Top Ten 2/15
- Gonzaga: Passed the toughest test in WCC play Monday Night winning at BYU. Only two games stand between them and an undefeated regular season.
- Loyola Chicago: A heartbreaking overtime loss on Sunday to Drake did not diminish the work done Saturday. The 27 point win Saturday was one of the most impressive results of the season.
- San Diego State: The Aztecs continue to slaughter the bottom of the Mountain West. One win against Boise State in two weeks should be enough to secure a tournament bid.
- Saint Louis: Three wins in a row with no COVID pauses is extremely promising. Senior guard Jordan Goodwin continues to be one of the best players in America.
- VCU: As mentioned earlier, the Rams had a huge week. Wednesday’s game at Richmond provides another chance at a Quad 1 win.
- Belmont: Morehead State came into Nashville with one of the nations longest active win streaks. The Bruins dominated them start to finish and are now 22-1.
- Drake: Bulldogs perhaps saved their at large chances getting a split against Loyola Sunday afternoon. KenPom projects them to win each of their remaining five games.
- BYU: Cougars lost their only game of the week against Gonzaga. Metrics love this team and with their wins they should be a solid tournament team.
- Boise State: Broncos recovered from two losses to Nevada by sweeping UNLV. Final four games will make or break their at-large chances with series’ against Utah St. and SDSU.
- Saint Bonaventure: The Bonnies have hit a lull losing two out of three against the A10’s elite. With no Quad 1 games left, this team will be squarely on the bubble come Mid-March.
Also Considered: Western Kentucky, Utah State, Colorado State, Wright State
