March Madness 2011 Predictions: VCU Rams, Richmond Spiders on Collision Course

Known for his sometimes outlandish basketball commentary on ESPN, Dick Vitale has added to the recent excitement over Richmond’s college basketball teams.

“How many of you hoop fanatics thought Richmond would be the hoops capital of the world,” Vitale questioned in one of his latest tweets. “Wow! VCU and Richmond: believe it baby!”

It seems that everyone around town knows what the buzz is all about. In stunning fashion, both major college teams have reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

VCU wasn’t even expected to make the tournament this season. The Rams finished fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association regular season and were defeated in the conference tournament final by Old Dominion.

VCU Fortunate

But non-conference wins over UCLA, Wake Forest and Wichita State carried enough weight to allow the NCAA Selection Committee to award VCU with an at-large berth.

Even Vitale, himself, thought VCU may have stolen a bid from schools like Virginia Tech and Alabama.

Of course, now that VCU opened the tournament with convincing wins over Southern Cal (59-46), Georgetown (74-56) and Purdue (94-76). Vitale is firmly seated on the VCU bandwagon.

VCU, like the Richmond Spiders, continues its amazing postseason Friday night when it meets Florida State in San Antonio at 9:57 p.m.  Richmond faces tournament favorite Kansas in the opening game of the doubleheader at 7:27. Both games will be televised by TBS.

VCU, Richmond Could Meet

The two winners (yes, VCU could face Richmond) will battle Sunday at a time to be determined on CBS.

The road to the tournament was a less stressful one for Richmond. After a superb regular season, the Spiders won the Atlantic-10 tournament championship over Dayton to secure an automatic bid.  There was no sitting around the television waiting for the selection committee’s announcement.

To arrive at the matchup with Kansas, Richmond knocked off Vanderbilt (69-66) and Morehead State (67-54). 

Expect Superb Guard Play

The Kansas-Richmond battle will feature two superb point guards.  Look for Richmond’s Kevin Anderson and Tyshawn Taylor to put on quite an exhibition.

Pressure defense will be the recipe for the VCU-Florida State affair. But the play of point guards Joey Rodriguez (VCU) and Derwin Kitchen (Florida State) might make the difference.

This is the first NCAA tournament appearance for second-year VCU coach Shaka Smart and the second appearance for sixth-year Richmond coach Chris Mooney.