WVCW Radio – The Voice of VCU

The No. 11 Rams match up with the No. 6 Bruins in the East Region. From Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

Many Villanova fans have filed out of the arena before VCU’s game.

13:54 – Rough start for the Rams but they are down only 12-8. Aboya will go to the line for an and-1 opportunity after the timeout. Joey Rodriguez has turned the ball over a few times and lacks some size against the Bruins that his quickness isn’t making up for. UCLA has come out ready to prove the upset-minded bracketologists wrong.

11:56 – VCU has made some very poor decisions passing the ball, most recently KP telegraphing an outlet and sailing it. Dragovic intercepted it but missed a 3-point attempt. VCU trails 13-11.

6:19 – Dragovic is up 8 points after stroking a couple of triples. Burgess and Rodriguez hit back-to-back 3s for the Rmas to cut the deficit to 22-21. The Joey Rodriguez fan club is making some noise.

3:42 – Neither team has snatched momentum but UCLA has beat on almost every VCU pass. If the Bruins don’t steal it, they get very close. Even Maynor is struggling a bit with his dishes. He is, however, scoring some — 6 points. The Rams have had a horrendous time scoring in the paint. Larry Sanders was stuffed by the rim on a reverse-layup attempt.

HALFTIME – The Bruins lead the Rams 35-25. VCU has gone cold from the floor; meanwhile, UCLA has knocked down six 3-pointers. VCU is going to need someone to step up and be that much needed scorer. Burgess and Rozzell showed brief flashes but so far are too inconsistent. Can’t afford to let the lead stay in double digits. Collison picked up a cheap foul, his second of the half. He and Keefe both have two for UCLA. Sanders and Nixon have two apiece on VCU’s side. Sanders was sidelined to avoid picking up that dreaded third a handful of minutes. UCLA benefitted from a 13-point run as soon as VCU took a brief lead.

15:51 – Maynor is about to go to the line for an and-1 attempt that would cut the lead to four. UCLA has not had the same fortune from downtown as the first half and VCU is taking advantage. Burgess drained a crucial 3-pointer. Sanders is doing a much better job of defending and rebounding without fouling.

11:57 – VCU is showing more heart but still is failing to capitalize on big opportunities. Larry goes 1 of 2 from the line.

7:48 – Maynor is not having his shots fall. UCLA is making its free throws. It’s as simple as that right now. The deficit is up to 11, 55-44. EM# better find his mojo or this will be his lsat game as a student-athlete.

5:14 – The Rams are lacking their fighting spirit. Sanders has picked up his fourth foul and UCLA will be in the double-bonus the rest of the way. A little surprising, frankly, that its only an eight-point game, 58-50.

1:57 – In characteristic fashion, VCU will not get blown out. Down 63-60.

1:19 – UCLA came up empty and Burgess was fouled on the break and hit both free throws. 63-62 UCLA.

:57.0 – 65-60 UCLA leads. Looks like the “under” will prevail in Vegas.

:48.0 – Maynor did what he does best. Drive the lane and force contact and hit both free throws.

:11.6 – VCU defense forced a shot-clock violation. 65-64 UCLA, VCU has the ball. Who will take the last shot?

FINAL – Bruins played great defense and Maynor was forced into a difficult shot and drew front iron. UCLA 65, VCU 64.