Green Wave Rides Win Streak Into VCU
Dec 17, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2010
RICHMOND, Va. - Riding a three-game winning streak, the Tulane men's basketball team completes a two-game road swing on Saturday when they face VCU at 1 p.m. CST in the Verizon Wireless Center.
The Green Wave (6-2) has won its last three games, including a 57-53 victory at New Orleans on Tuesday that started the mini-road trip.
"I was pleased that our guys were able to find a way to come out with a victory against UNO, but now we go on the road against a very tough seasoned VCU team that has played some tough opponents in some great venues," Tulane head coach Ed Conroy said. "We go into their place where they have had great success. They have a very talented roster with a lot of energy. We will have to do a great job in handling the ball against their pressure."
The Rams (6-3, 1-0 CAA) saw a two-game win streak snapped last weekend with a 72-60 loss at cross-town rival Richmond. VCU is a perfect 3-0 at home this season, including a victory over William & Mary that opened their conference schedule.
VCU, who reached the final game of the preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden in New York, also has wins over UCLA and Wake Forest in the young season.
Kendall Timmons leads Tulane into the game. After just missing his four double double of the season by one rebound at UNO, the sophomore is posting 14.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, while senior guard Kris Richard is averaging 13.8 points and 6.3 boards. Sophomore point guard Jordan Callahan is adding 11.6 points and 4.5 assists per contest.
A balanced attack leads VCU offense with four players posting double figure averages, including senior forward Jamie Skeen's team-high 15.1 scoring average. He also leads the team with 8.3 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Rams score 75.9 points a game and allow 70.9 and get outrebounded by an average of 5.1 per contest.
Tulane is scoring 71.0 points per game and allows the opposition just 56.5 per contest.
This will be the 14th meeting between the two former Metro Conference foes. Tulane leads the series, 11-2, including a perfect 6-0 mark in games played in Richmond. VCU did snap a seven-game Tulane win streak in the series with a 78-77 victory over the Green Wave on Dec. 19 last season in Fogelman Arena.
Following the game Tulane will return home to host Auburn-Montgomery on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST in the final home game before the holiday break.
GREEN WAVE PROBABLE STARTERS
G 5 Jordan Callahan 6-0 184 So. 11.6 ppg 2.5 rpg 4.5 apg
G 4 Ben Cherry 6-2 177 So. 4.4 ppg 1.6 rpg 1.4 apg
G 0 Kris Richard 6-5 178 Sr. 13.8 ppg 6.3 rpg 1.8 spg
F 22 Kendall Timmons 6-5 200 So. 14.5 ppg 8.9 rpg 2.5 spg
F 2 David Booker 6-7 239 Sr. 7.9 ppg 3.0 rpg .605 FG%
RAMS' PROBABLE STARTERS
G 12 Joey Rodriguez 5-10 175 Sr. 12.1 ppg 2.8 rpg
G 20 Bradford Burgess 6-6 225 Jr. 12.9 ppg 6.3 rpg
G 32 Brandon Rozzell 6-2 185 Sr. 12.7 ppg 2.6 rpg
F 21 Jamie Skeen 6-9 240 Sr. 15.1 ppg 8.3 rpg
F 31 Toby Veal 6-8 235 Jr. 4.1 ppg 3.7 rpg
