That also means it's time to announce Slant's 2026 edition of its VCU men's basketball citations. However, let's pause here momentarily to congratulate VCU's first-year head coach, Phil Martelli, Jr., for his team's glittering success. At this writing, record-wise, it stands at 27-7 and counting,.
Moreover, as the season progressed, it was delightful watching Martelli's players improving as individuals and gaining confidence as a team. And that confidence sparkled brightest during the pressure packed last few minutes of close games over the last eight weeks.
Next stop for the 11-seeded Rams is the South Regional in Greenville, South Carolina, to face the 6-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. Tipoff is set for 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. TNT Network will televise the game.
By the way, over the years the Heels have appeared in 21 Final Fours and have won the NCAA's national championship tournament six times. The betting line currently lists VCU as a 2.5-point underdog. Still, VCU has become a popular upset pick for sports pundits.
Now for those citations:
Mister Clutch: Terrence Hill, Jr. sophomore, 6-3, combo guard. When the game is on the line, with five seconds on the clock, this is who you most want to have possession of the ball. He leads the team in both points-scored (14.4 points per game) and in assists (2.8 per game). His shooting from long range can be mindboggling.
Fast Eddie: Michael Belle junior, 6-8, small forward. No one on this Rams team out-hustles Belle. "Fast Eddie" Felson (played by Paul Newman) was the hustling pool shark in the great film, "The Hustler" (1961).
Windex: Lazar Djokovic, junior, 6-11, power forward. As he leads the team in rebounds (5.4 per game), it can be said that he cleans the glass. He is also the team's second leading scorer (13.5 points per game). .
Swiss Army Knife: Brandon Jennings, sophomore, 6-4 shooting guard. If you need a steal, a blocked shot, an offensive rebound, a basket with the shot clock winding down, this your man for the job. He does it all, frequently when it's most needed.
The Future: Nyk Lewis, freshman, 6-1, point guard. His improvement during the season was quite noteworthy. His athleticism, strength and toughness are valuable assets. His upside potential is nearly unlimited.
The Tar Heels coaches will likely have a big job on their hands trying to convince their players that they should not take the Rams lightly. If VCU can begin the game with their defensive intensity at full throttle and hot shooting hands, a big upset might be brewing. .
If all five of the VCU players cited above return for next season, and Martelli has any sort of success with recruiting a shot-blocking/rebounding phenom power forward, the Rams are looking at a season in which they will frequently be ranked in the top 25 polls.
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-- Photo and words by F.T. Rea
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