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VCU used five-guard lineup against Lehigh

Lehigh Virginia Commonwealth

VCU’s Daiius Theus, top, and Lehigh’s Mackey McKnight scramble for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Richmond, Va., Sat. Jan 5, 2013. (AP Photo/The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Joe Mahoney)

AP

Basketball fans are worried about C.J. McCollum’s foot. But let’s not forget to give Virginia Commonwealth their due. They notched a hard-fought 59-54 win over another tough non-conference foe tonight.

The Rams had a fight on their hands in spite of C.J. McCollum’s absence in the second half due to injury. Lehigh forwards Holden Greiner and Gabe Knutson combined for 27 points and 16 rebounds and the Mountain Hawks as a team hung with VCU until the very end.

Darius Theus (pictured) led the VCU defensive effort, swiping six steals from the visiting team. On offense it was Treveon Graham who led the Rams with 17 points. Fellow guards Troy Daniels and Rob Brandenburg each scored eleven to join him in double figures.

Michael Litos, the Rams’ radio color announcer, at one point observed that Shaka Smart cranked up the “havoc” by putting five guards on the floor at once:

Shaka Smart going five guards. That’s like turning the four-guard lineup to 11. It’s better than 10.

— MGL (@VCULitos) January 5, 2013


Theus, Graham (will play 5), Johnson, Brandenberg, Daniels

— MGL (@VCULitos) January 5, 2013


The game was televised on NBC Sports Network, which provided us with some video highlights of the back-and-forth action:

The Rams moved to 12-3, and prepare to meet Dayton to start Atlantic 10 play on January 9. The Mountain Hawks (9-4 overall) open Patriot League play on January 12, hosting Holy Cross.