Shaka Smart VCU Rams Ball-Screen Play “Buckeye”

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.



Basketball Set Plays



0 Comments(s)



January 24, 2015

Shaka Smart VCU Rams Ball-Screen Play “Buckeye”

Shaka Smart and his VCU Rams are ranked 16th in both polls and have won 10 consecutive games. One of the most impressive things are that the VCU Rams will probably be in their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance. Coach Smart has built a true program and was the A-10’s pre-season favorite to win the league. They are 15-3 overall and 5-0 in the A-10.

The VCU Rams losses were to Villanova, Old Dominion, and Virginia that have a combined record of 49-4. The VCU Rams have beaten quality outfits such as Northern Iowa, Davidson, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Oregon and Rhode Island, and the latter four were away from the Siegel Center.

The NCAA Rating percentage index ranks the VCU non-conference schedule as the Nation’s toughest and it’s overall schedule is only behind Kansas. The RPI’s top four teams: Kentucky, Kansas, Virginia and VCU Rams.

The undersized VCU Rams don’t rebound well or shoot high percentages from the field (43.7) or free-throw line (62.0). But VCU ranks third nationally in turn-over margin and that will serve them well in the post-season. They rely on pressure defense and secure ball-handling.

Coach Shaka Smart has the VCU going and they are the only game in town. They don’t have football at VCU so Homecoming is a basketball game. The VCU Rams have done a great job of investing back in the school and city.

Coach Smart has had a lot of coaching success with his VCU Rams and he is always the hottest coach in line for jobs. Coach Smart opened up to Gary Parrish of CBS Sports this week why he hasn’t left VCU. It was a very touching story and truly shows his character as a person.

vcu rams

0 Comments