VCU vs. Richmond: A Battle on the Hardwood
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The two biggest rivals in Virginia college basketball go head-to-head tonight in a hotly contested match-up. Who will come out on top?
Introduction
The VCU Rams and the Richmond Spiders are two of the most successful basketball programs in Virginia. The Rams have won five conference championships and made six NCAA tournament appearances, while the Spiders have won four conference championships and made seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
Both teams are known for their intense defense, with the Rams ranking first in the nation in steals per game and the Spiders ranking sixth in the nation in blocks per game.
The Rams and the Spiders have met 72 times since their first meeting in 1938, with VCU holding a 36-36 lead in the all-time series. However, Richmond has won four of the last five meetings, including a 63-62 victory over VCU in last year’s regular season finale.
The two teams will meet again on January 12th at VCU’s Siegel Center.
The History of the Rivalry
The history of the VCU-Richmond basketball rivalry dates back to the early 1970s, when the two schools were members of the Sun Belt Conference The rivalry intensified in 1975 when VCU won the conference title and Richmond responded by winning the conference title the following year.
Since then, the two teams have met nearly every year, with VCU winning more than its fair share of games. In recent years the rivalry has become even more intense, with both teams regularly contending for conference titles and NCAA tournament berths.
The most recent chapter in the rivalry took place in March of 2018, when VCU and Richmond met in the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game Richmond won the game handily, but VCU got revenge just a few weeks later by defeating Richmond in the first round of the NCAA tournament
Looking ahead, there is no telling what will happen in this storied rivalry. But one thing is for sure: when these two teams take the court against each other, it’s always must-see TV.
The Current Rivalry
The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams and the University of Richmond Spiders currently enjoy one of the fiercest rivalries in college basketball The two teams have met a total of 135 times on the hardwood, with VCU holding a slim 67-68 lead in the all-time series.
While the Rams and the Spiders both call the Richmond metropolitan area home, they have been competing against each other for much longer than just their time as crosstown rivals. The two teams first met on the court in December of 1909, and they have been facing off against each other at least once every season since 1931.
In recent years the rivalry has only grown more heated. In 2011, VCU defeated Richmond in the NCAA Basketball Tournament en route to their Final Four appearance. The Spiders got their revenge the following year, when they knocked off VCU in the Atlantic 10 conference tournament Championship game
The 2017-2018 Season
The 2017-2018 season was a special one for the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams men’s basketball team The team, led by then-Head Coach Will Wade, finished the regular season with a record of 26-8, good for second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Rams then went on to win the A-10 conference tournament defeating the University of Richmond in the Championship game This victory earned VCU an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they would ultimately lose to the University of Texas in the first round.
The 2017-2018 Game
The 2017-2018 game between VCU and Richmond was a highly anticipated match-up, as both teams were ranked in the top 25 nationally. The Rams had won the previous two meetings between the two teams, but the Spiders were looking to reverse their fortunes this time around.
Richmond got off to a hot start, taking an early lead thanks to some great shooting from behind the arc. VCU responded with a run of their own to take a slim lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Rams pulled away thanks to some clutch shooting from 3-point range. Richmond made a late push, but VCU held on for the win.
Final score:
VCU 71, Richmond 63
The Aftermath
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than six points at any point in the contest. That was until the final minutes of the game, when VCU went on an 11-0 run to take a 75-65 lead with just 1:30 left on the clock. That would prove to be enough, as Richmond was unable to muster up any more offense and fell by a final score of 75-69.
The Future of the Rivalry
Since the early 2000s, the men’s basketball programs of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the University of Richmond (Richmond) have been engaged in one of the fiercest rivalries in all of NCAA Division I sports. The schools are separated by only nine miles, and their fan bases are some of the most passionate in College Basketball
The future of the rivalry is unclear, however, as VCU is set to leave the Atlantic 10 Conference for the more competitive Big East Conference in 2020. This move will likely mean that the Rams and Spiders will only meet on the hardwood once every two years, if at all.
Despite its uncompetitive nature in recent years Richmond vs. VCU remains one of the most heated rivalries in College Basketball The fans love it, and it’s unlikely that anything will change that.
Conclusion
In conclusion, VCU and Richmond are two great college basketball teams. They both have die-hard fans and amazing Basketball Programs However, when it comes down to it, VCU is the better team. They have more NCAA Tournament appearances, more conference titles, and more wins overall. So next time you’re debating which team is better, remember that VCU is the clear victor.
Richmond vs. VCU: A Rivalry for the Ages
The battle between Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond is one of the fiercest in all of college basketball On the court, there is no love lost between these two programs. But what is it about this rivalry that makes it so special?
For starters, the two schools are just 40 miles apart, making them natural rivals. Add to that the fact that they both compete in the Atlantic 10 conference and you have a recipe for some serious competition.
There is also a fair amount of history between these two programs. VCU has won 14 conference championships while Richmond has won 11, making them the two most successful teams in the A-10.
On the court, VCU has had the upper hand in recent years, winning 8 of the last 10 meetings between these two teams. But Richmond did upset VCU in last year’s A-10 tournament, which only adds to the intensity of this rivalry.
Whether you’re a fan of VCU or Richmond, there’s no denying that this is one of the best rivalries in college basketball
Richmond vs. VCU: The Battle on the Hardwood
On February 10, 2020, the Virginia Commonwealth University men’s Basketball team will take on the University of Richmond Spiders in a highly anticipated match-up. Both schools are located in Richmond, Virginia, and have a long-standing rivalry on the hardwood. The Rams are currently ranked #24 in the nation, while the Spiders are unranked. This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season.
The Rams are led by senior guard Marcus Evans, who is averaging 19 points per game The Spiders are led by junior guard Grant Golden, who is averaging 16 points per game This will be a battle of two of the best teams in the state of Virginia.
The game will be played at the Siegel Center on VCU’s campus. The Siegel Center is one of the loudest arenas in college basketball The Rams have a record of 13-3 at home this season. The Spiders have a record of 9-7 on the road this season.
This is sure to be an exciting game between two rivals. Be sure to tune in to watch!