D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Value City Arena on March 1, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Purdue 65-61. (Getty)
Virginia Commonwealth University is headed to the NCAA Tournament after a 71-65 win over the Dayton Flyers for the Atlantic 10 Championship. This is their fifth straight year in the Tournament. They finished the season 26-9 overall and 12-6 in the conference. With the conference tournament championship, VCU earned an automatic bid to the dance.
The VCU Rams will matchup against Ohio State first.
After an early dismissal in the tournament last year, Ohio State has continued to scratch and claw this season. The Buckeyes finished 23-9 overall and 11-7 in the Big Ten.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
The Basics
Who:
No. 7 VCU vs. No. 10 Ohio State
What:
NCAA Tournament Round of 64
When:
Thursday, March 19
Where:
Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon
Bracket Region:
West
Time:
4:40 p.m. Eastern
Channel:
TNT
Line:
The opening line isn’t out yet. We’ll update this post when it moves. In the meantime, OddsShark has a betting-focused matchup preview.
Scouting VCU
Record: 26-9 overall, 12-6 Atlantic 10
Coach: Shaka Smart, 6th season
Offensive Points Per Game: 72.5
Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 65.5
Scoring Leader: Treveon Graham, 16.2
Rebounding Leader: Treveon Graham, 6.8
Assists Leader: Briante Weber, 4.3 – out with injury.
Scouting Ohio State
Record: 23-9 overall, 11-7 Big Ten
Coach: Thad Matta, 11th season
Offensive Points Per Game: 76.1
Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 62.0
Scoring Leaders: D’Angelo Russell, 19.3, Sam Thompson, 10.2
Rebounding Leader: D’Angelo Russell, 5.6
Assists Leader: Shannon Scott, 5.8
Comments
VCU v. Ohio State: Date, Time, Channel & Line