VCU proves critics wrong, stuns Georgetown

It started on selection Sunday when ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas called Virginia Commonweath University's selection into the 68-team NCAA Tournament field “indefensible” and wondered aloud if the selection committee “even knew the ball was round.”

VCU and coach Shaka Smart took the abuse quietly.

It continued Wednesday night in Dayton, Ohio, when the linemakers listed the Rams as 4-point underdogs against USC in the final play-in game.

After VCU, behind a relentless defense and pinpoint shooting from long range, rolled to a 59-46 victory over the Trojans, Smart could hold back no longer.

“You guys think Jay Bilas watched that game?” he said as soon as he sat down to address the media.

Fast-forward to Friday night at the United Center where the Rams headed into their second round game against Georgetwon a 5½-point underdog.

Care to guess the outcome?

That's right. Using the same formula that got them here in the first place, No. 11 VCU stunned the sixth-seeded Hoyas 74-56 to advance to a Sunday showdown against Purdue.

“Any time people disrespect us — especially on national TV — it's nice to have an opportunity to prove them wrong,” said VCU guard Joey Rodriguez. “And we're going to keep trying to prove people wrong.”

Brandon Rozzell came off the bench to lead the Rams with 26 points.

“Brandon has given us a spark all year long and I thought he really played with a lot of focus,” Sharp said.

The big difference Friday was the Rams finished 12-for-25 from 3-point land while the Hoyas struggled from behind the arc (5-for-26).

“We clearly did not protect the 3-point line like we needed to,” Hoyas coach John Thompson III said.

Hollis Thompson led Georgetown with 26 points off the bench, but it wasn't enough to keep up with the rolling Rams.

“I learned early in the year our guys like a challenge,” Sharp said. “We love to respond when people disrespect us.”