By Ben Rekosh
RICHMOND, Va. – On a day that was filled with emotion, “Deuce” felt at home as he became the ninth player to have his jersey hoisted to the Siegel Center rafters.
Briante Weber was forever enshrined in VCU history on Sunday, with his number two being draped from the rafters of the Siegel Center. Weber epitomizes what VCU hoops was in the 2010’s: intensity, toughness, will to win, competitiveness and moxy.
Topping the school’s charts with 374 career steals, he is synonymous with Shaka Smart’s HAVOC defense. Weber knew that he was not a superstar on offense, but he always trusted that the Ram faithful would always have his back because of his spirited mentality.
“There’s nothing like VCU,” the three-time Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year said addressing the crowd at halftime of Sunday’s contest. “I didn’t know what I had until I came here… Ram Nation for life.”
Zeb Jackson, a captain on this year’s squad who has donned the number two for the past three seasons, had a Weber-esque play to open the first half on Sunday… and he knew it. As soon as Jackson stepped on the court in Sunday’s win, he was able to dive for a loose ball on the floor, just like Briante Weber used to do. Jackson said that he immediately looked up and saw the great number two gazing at him with pride.
Weber’s accolades could fill an entire page, and he would be the first one to say so.
The two conference tournament championships and four NCAA tournament appearances are only a part of what makes him one of the most beloved players for a basketball-crazed fanbase.
Head coach Ryan Odom urges his team to live vicariously through the legacy that Weber built on a daily basis, he said. The idea of not allowing the opponent to get any opportunities and bother them at any costs is part of that presence felt on Broad Street.
The aggressiveness is part of what defined Weber and made him so great, Jackson said.
“[Briante Weber is] what VCU is,” guard Michael Belle said postgame, dedicating the win over in-state foe William & Mary to the Ram great. “We have to honor him by playing hard, playing defense, just like he did.”
As for the 20-point victory, it was the second time the Rams hit the 90-point mark this season, and a much needed bounce-back win to close out the non-conference schedule. A second half surge manufactured by an early 10-0 run was enough to put the Tribe away.
Despite not having starting big Christian Fermin available, the team nabbed 16 offensive rebounds which led to 26 second chance points – no doubt a point of emphasis for this coaching staff.
Additionally, the 25 assists on the afternoon were a season-high, along with a season-best seven turnovers. Five Rams hit double figures in scoring, led by Joe Bamisile with his third 20-point game in the last four times out. Max Shulga had 13 of his own, in addition to Jackson and Belle at 14 and 10 points respectively. Freshman phenom Luke Bamgboye continued to impress on the defensive end with nine points, five rebounds and four blocks in 20 minutes.
Odom and his team will have an extended nine-day break before their next test, which will mark the start of conference play. VCU will travel to Olean, NY to take on St. Bonaventure for a New Year’s Eve clash.
Commenti