When the NCAA’s field of 68 was announced, many people blasted the selection committee for choosing Virginia Commonwealth as an at-large team. After all, the Rams finished fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association and didn’t even win the conference tournament. But VCU has proven the doubters wrong, as it is the only team in this tournament to have won three games so far – all by double digits over teams from BCS conference. Now the Rams get another power conference foe but a surprising one in Florida State. And the Seminoles are 3.5-point favorites on Bodog’s NCAA basketball odds.
VCU (26-11) unfortunately has been so good that it will likely cost the team its coach – Shaka Smart is rumored to be the top target for the open Tennessee job. That the Rams beat USC and Georgetown weren’t super huge surprises but their domination of Purdue in the Round of 32 was a stunner. Point guard Joey Rodriguez was brilliant against the Boilermakers with 12 points, 11 assists and no turnovers in 34 minutes. VCU’s 18-point win was its largest ever in the NCAA Tournament and the Rams became the fourth team ever from the CAA to reach the Sweet 16. Now they will play in the first No. 10 vs. No. 11 seed game in NCAA Tournament history.
Florida State (23-10) has clearly been energized by the return of Chris Singleton from a broken foot – he’s the team’s best player and possibly the top defensive player in the nation. The Noles beat Texas A&M in the first round and then upset No. 2 Notre Dame, 71-57, in the Round of 32. The Seminoles, who lead the nation in limiting opponents' field goal percentage, held Notre Dame to 31.7 percent shooting and have held their past six opponents to a combined 34.3 percent. They are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1993 and Singleton hasn’t even been a major factor yet.
VCU (26-11) unfortunately has been so good that it will likely cost the team its coach – Shaka Smart is rumored to be the top target for the open Tennessee job. That the Rams beat USC and Georgetown weren’t super huge surprises but their domination of Purdue in the Round of 32 was a stunner. Point guard Joey Rodriguez was brilliant against the Boilermakers with 12 points, 11 assists and no turnovers in 34 minutes. VCU’s 18-point win was its largest ever in the NCAA Tournament and the Rams became the fourth team ever from the CAA to reach the Sweet 16. Now they will play in the first No. 10 vs. No. 11 seed game in NCAA Tournament history.
Florida State (23-10) has clearly been energized by the return of Chris Singleton from a broken foot – he’s the team’s best player and possibly the top defensive player in the nation. The Noles beat Texas A&M in the first round and then upset No. 2 Notre Dame, 71-57, in the Round of 32. The Seminoles, who lead the nation in limiting opponents' field goal percentage, held Notre Dame to 31.7 percent shooting and have held their past six opponents to a combined 34.3 percent. They are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1993 and Singleton hasn’t even been a major factor yet.