VCU Wins! Headed to Final Four 2011

Nobody believed in VCU. Even though they made it to the Elite 8, basketball pundits viewed VCU as lucky. Kansas, they said, would make easy work of VCU. Think again. No. 11 seed VCU shocked No. 1 seed Kansas on Sunday afternoon to advance to Final Four 2011. At the Final Four, VCU will play Butler for spot in the national championship game. For those scoring at home, that is an 11th seed against an 8th seed.

Against Kansas, VCU started off on fire. They were hitting three-pointers left and right to put Kansas in a big hole. In the second half, Kansas made it a ball game. They fought all the way back. But then, with tough defense, physical play and great offensive execution, VCU rebuilt its lead and escaped with a 71-61 victory.

Jamie Skeen, VCU’s best player, led the way with 26 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Off the bench, Brandon Rozzell added 12 points by hitting four three-pointers.

“We knew Kansas would make a run in the second half,” said Shaka Smart, the young up-and-coming coach for VCU, “but we never gave up the lead and our guys kept fighting.”

Why did Kansas lose? Poor perimeter defense and poor shooting. They allowed VCU to hit 12-of-25 three-pointers. On their end, Kansas shot 35.5% from the field, 9.1% on three-pointers and 53.6% at the line.

Shaka Smart and VCU are headed to the Final Four