The Towson Tigers are back in action, in a rare Friday night appearance, when they take on the Rams of VCU at 7pm at the Towson Center. The Rams are one of two CAA opponents, whom the Tigers have never beaten since joining the CAA in 2001-02. The Tigers are 0-7 vs. the Rams lifetime and 8-18 vs. George Mason, although they have never beaten the Patriots in CAA play (0-6).
Last season, the Tigers lost all three games against VCU and until the CAA quartefinal, had never even come within single digits of the Rams. After Towson defeated William & Mary for their first CAA tournament game win ever, they took on VCU in Richmond, and battled until the end, losing 67-60.
In that game, the Rams held a 35-31 lead at the half, and then moved to 43-31 in the second half spurred by an 8-0 run. Towson however, did not quit. They pulled within 49-43 with 12:38 left, but the Rams would pull away at 58-45 with less than seven minutes to go. Senior Jamaal Gilchrist led a late Tiger rally, to pull within 62-58 with 1:10 left. Fresham B.A. Walker responded with a three-pointer to put the game away with 36 seconds left, giving the Rams a seven-point lead. VCU won the game 67-60, but Towson earned some respect with the way they played. They certainly didn?t shoot it well, making just 38% of their shots, but committed just 12 turnovers and held VCU to a 44.6% shooting percentage.
Towson was led by Mike Green, who scored 18 points. Derrick Goode came off the bench to scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. VCU was led by senior center Troy Godwin, who led the team with 15 points and Nick George added 14 points.
This year, Godwin is gone as is All-CAA player Dominic Jones, but the Rams are still the defending champs and one of the most athletic teams in the CAA.
The Rams have gotten off to a slow start, gong 5-6 and 1-1 in the CAA. They have struggled the most on the road, losing their first five games on the road, until dowing George Mason on Wednesday night.
While the Rams have struggled on the road, they?ve played some close ones, losing by just 14 at Wake Forest, but also five at Iona, four at Middle Tennessee State and five at NC Wilmington. Their only blowout was at UAB, losing 79-55.
This year, the Rams aren?t quite as dominant defensively, although they are still very good. They allow opponents to shoot 43.7% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point line. They are shooting 41% from the field and shoot a respectable 73.5% from the line. The Rams have struggled some on the boards, as they are -2.6, but just did outrebound George Mason 32-24 in their 81-74 victory.
The Rams have some expectional talent at both guard and forward spots. Junior Nick George (6-6, 205) leads the team in scoring at 14.4ppg and in rebounds at 5.3rpg. He shoots 43% from the field, 41% fom the three-point line (17-42) and averages a steal per game. George is a terrific athlete, who plays bigger than his size, can play both forward sports and can score inside or out. George was the 2003 CAA Rookie of the Year, but had a bit of a down year in 2003-04, and was hampered by injuries, averaging just 9.2ppg. He certainly has the talent to be one of the best forwards in the league and will be another tough defensive assignment for either Lawrence Hamm or Winstonn Tubbs, who took turns trying to stop Harding Nana on Wednesday night.
At the other forward spot, senior Michael Doles (6-6, 210), arrived from Wright State last year and became the best sixth man in the CAA. Doles has started slowly due to a battle with mono, but is back in fine form. Last year, averaged 11.2ppg and 6.6rebounds, and this year, the averages are down a bit due to him getting his strength back. Doles is averaging 11.7ppg, shooting 43% from the field and 38% from the three-point line (14-37). Doles is another good athlete, who can score in many ways. Against Mason, Doles led the team with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
The Rams shot a sizzling 53.3% in the game against Mason, and about the only thing that kept them from blowing out the Patriots were 19 turnovers, including eight by George and five by Doles.
At center, coach Jeff Capel has several different options. Senior Derrick Reid (6-8, 215) has made three starts this year and gives the team some rebounding and defensive ability. Reid averages 4.8ppg and 3.5rpg. Junior Calvin Roland (6-10, 245) was a highly-touted newcomer from Aiken Technical School in Georgia. Roland has made eight starts this year, averaging 4ppg and 3.3rpg. He has struggled offensively, shooting 39% from he floor and 47% from the line.
Capel could turn to freshman Sam Faulk (6-8, 215), a freshman from Fayetteville, North Carolina, who has played sparingly until Wednesday. Against Mason, Faulk gave the Rams 16 minutes and had two blocks and three rebounds.
Obviously the Rams are more perimeter-oriented ths year with the loss of Godwin (6-6, 300), and they are loaded with excellent guards, who can shoot and defend. The best shooter is arguably Walker (6-2, 160), who is second on the team in scoring at 13.1ppg and second in assists at 2.5apg. He shoots 41% from the field, but just 20-of-62 from the three-point line. Walker can play both guard spots, although he is more comfortable at the two-guard spot.
Junior Alexander Harper (6-4, 190) has started nine of the 11 games at the point, and can do a numeber of things. He averages 8.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 3apg and leads the team with 26 steals (2.5spg). He also shoots 50% from the field and 53% from the three-point line (17-32).
Sophomore Jesse Pellot-Rosa (6-4, 195) is one of the best defenders in the league and can score when needed. He came off the bench against George Mason, scoring 13 points in 23 minutes, including hitting 3-of-3 from the three-point line. This year, he averages 6.5ppg and 3.7rpg, and leads the team in blocks with nine. He shoots 41% from the floor and 27% from the three-point line (7-26).
Sophomore Renardo Dixon (6-9, 210) and freshman Jamal Shuler (6-3, 180) will also see some time off the bench.
Last season, the Tigers lost all three games against VCU and until the CAA quartefinal, had never even come within single digits of the Rams. After Towson defeated William & Mary for their first CAA tournament game win ever, they took on VCU in Richmond, and battled until the end, losing 67-60.
In that game, the Rams held a 35-31 lead at the half, and then moved to 43-31 in the second half spurred by an 8-0 run. Towson however, did not quit. They pulled within 49-43 with 12:38 left, but the Rams would pull away at 58-45 with less than seven minutes to go. Senior Jamaal Gilchrist led a late Tiger rally, to pull within 62-58 with 1:10 left. Fresham B.A. Walker responded with a three-pointer to put the game away with 36 seconds left, giving the Rams a seven-point lead. VCU won the game 67-60, but Towson earned some respect with the way they played. They certainly didn?t shoot it well, making just 38% of their shots, but committed just 12 turnovers and held VCU to a 44.6% shooting percentage.
Towson was led by Mike Green, who scored 18 points. Derrick Goode came off the bench to scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. VCU was led by senior center Troy Godwin, who led the team with 15 points and Nick George added 14 points.
This year, Godwin is gone as is All-CAA player Dominic Jones, but the Rams are still the defending champs and one of the most athletic teams in the CAA.
The Rams have gotten off to a slow start, gong 5-6 and 1-1 in the CAA. They have struggled the most on the road, losing their first five games on the road, until dowing George Mason on Wednesday night.
While the Rams have struggled on the road, they?ve played some close ones, losing by just 14 at Wake Forest, but also five at Iona, four at Middle Tennessee State and five at NC Wilmington. Their only blowout was at UAB, losing 79-55.
This year, the Rams aren?t quite as dominant defensively, although they are still very good. They allow opponents to shoot 43.7% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point line. They are shooting 41% from the field and shoot a respectable 73.5% from the line. The Rams have struggled some on the boards, as they are -2.6, but just did outrebound George Mason 32-24 in their 81-74 victory.
The Rams have some expectional talent at both guard and forward spots. Junior Nick George (6-6, 205) leads the team in scoring at 14.4ppg and in rebounds at 5.3rpg. He shoots 43% from the field, 41% fom the three-point line (17-42) and averages a steal per game. George is a terrific athlete, who plays bigger than his size, can play both forward sports and can score inside or out. George was the 2003 CAA Rookie of the Year, but had a bit of a down year in 2003-04, and was hampered by injuries, averaging just 9.2ppg. He certainly has the talent to be one of the best forwards in the league and will be another tough defensive assignment for either Lawrence Hamm or Winstonn Tubbs, who took turns trying to stop Harding Nana on Wednesday night.
At the other forward spot, senior Michael Doles (6-6, 210), arrived from Wright State last year and became the best sixth man in the CAA. Doles has started slowly due to a battle with mono, but is back in fine form. Last year, averaged 11.2ppg and 6.6rebounds, and this year, the averages are down a bit due to him getting his strength back. Doles is averaging 11.7ppg, shooting 43% from the field and 38% from the three-point line (14-37). Doles is another good athlete, who can score in many ways. Against Mason, Doles led the team with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
The Rams shot a sizzling 53.3% in the game against Mason, and about the only thing that kept them from blowing out the Patriots were 19 turnovers, including eight by George and five by Doles.
At center, coach Jeff Capel has several different options. Senior Derrick Reid (6-8, 215) has made three starts this year and gives the team some rebounding and defensive ability. Reid averages 4.8ppg and 3.5rpg. Junior Calvin Roland (6-10, 245) was a highly-touted newcomer from Aiken Technical School in Georgia. Roland has made eight starts this year, averaging 4ppg and 3.3rpg. He has struggled offensively, shooting 39% from he floor and 47% from the line.
Capel could turn to freshman Sam Faulk (6-8, 215), a freshman from Fayetteville, North Carolina, who has played sparingly until Wednesday. Against Mason, Faulk gave the Rams 16 minutes and had two blocks and three rebounds.
Obviously the Rams are more perimeter-oriented ths year with the loss of Godwin (6-6, 300), and they are loaded with excellent guards, who can shoot and defend. The best shooter is arguably Walker (6-2, 160), who is second on the team in scoring at 13.1ppg and second in assists at 2.5apg. He shoots 41% from the field, but just 20-of-62 from the three-point line. Walker can play both guard spots, although he is more comfortable at the two-guard spot.
Junior Alexander Harper (6-4, 190) has started nine of the 11 games at the point, and can do a numeber of things. He averages 8.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 3apg and leads the team with 26 steals (2.5spg). He also shoots 50% from the field and 53% from the three-point line (17-32).
Sophomore Jesse Pellot-Rosa (6-4, 195) is one of the best defenders in the league and can score when needed. He came off the bench against George Mason, scoring 13 points in 23 minutes, including hitting 3-of-3 from the three-point line. This year, he averages 6.5ppg and 3.7rpg, and leads the team in blocks with nine. He shoots 41% from the floor and 27% from the three-point line (7-26).
Sophomore Renardo Dixon (6-9, 210) and freshman Jamal Shuler (6-3, 180) will also see some time off the bench.
