Thoughts on the Weekend of Rams Basketball
1.Despite struggling through just an 11 point fourth quarter, Ryerson was able to cruise to the 84–64 win behind another strong double-double effort from Adika Peter-McNeilly (18 PTS, 6–13 FG, 10 REB, 5 AST) as well as double digit scoring efforts from four other Rams to hold off the pesky Lakers.
Fil Vujadinovic had his best game of the young season off the bench, as he tallied 13 points and four rebounds while being a defensive cog in the Rams ability to keep Nipissing’s two headed monster of Justin Shaver and Marcus Lewis from making a big impact.
“He’s just becoming more mature, you can see it. His emotions are in check and he’s playing a lot more confident, and when he’s doing that he can help us in a lot of different ways” said Coach Rana post game.
2. Justin Shaver who had been averaging 17 and 13 through the first weekend of OUA play, was held to just 11 points and eight boards through a strong collective effort from Rams bigs Adam Voll and Juwon Grannum (11 PTS, 5–12 FG, 4 REB, 3 AST).
“We knew that he was the biggest part of their offence if not the focal point, so if we were able to slow him down the rest of the team would falter behind sort of thing” said Grannum on how they focused the defensive mentality.
Marcus Lewis, Nipissing’s star guard, also faded into obscurity for most of the night as he finished with just 7 points on 1–4 from the field.
The Rams pressure defence was in full force feeding off the energy of the home crowd, forcing a season high 20 turnovers which directly led to 17 points. They also DOMINATED the painted area, outscoring the Lakers 42–16 and really taking control of the game from the inside out.
3. Players making their home debuts for the Rams also showed out, as Myles Charvis went 3–5 from three point range en route to a productive night of 13 points, four assists and three steals. Keevon Small used his length and size to win his matchup against the Laker guards on the boards as he grabbed 11 rebounds and also forced three steals.
4. Tonight the Rams focus shifts to the Laurentian Voyageurs, who dropped a close game across town to the Toronto Varsity Blues after a second half charge led by none other than Freshman sensation Kadre Gray.
In the wake of the suspensions to some of their top players due to a hazing scandal, Gray has burst onto the OUA scene averaging 30 points a game through the first three games. Gray is an Eastern Commerce HS alum and Toronto native, so he will surely be looking to put on another show at Coca-Cola Court tonight.
The matchup to watch will be between Gray and Manny Diressa, as they both have the potential to takeover a quarter and swing a game.
“We didn’t play against each other, but I know he went to my high school and he played for my AAU program so I know him well but I never played against him except for an alumni game. It’ll be fun, I heard he’s doing well so we have to be ready.” said Diressa on facing Gray tonight.
Laurentian is a lot more guard oriented than Nipissing, and the Rams are going to use their versatility and size from the 2–5 spot to try gain the advantage.
Juwon Grannum put it best post game last night: “We know we’re gonna have to use our size and impose our will against them .”
Tip time is 8 pm on OUA TV.
