Virginia Tech-VCU: Jarell Eddie vs. Treveon Graham
By Tim Thomas
Dec 3, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Jarell Eddie (31) shoots the ball over Winthrop Eagles forward Joab Jerome (4) during the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
The showdown in the Richmond Coliseum tomorrow evening was not expected to be a game that could be close, especially since VCU was a preaseason top 25 team and Virginia Tech was porjected to finish last in the ACC. However, the VCU Rams have had some surprise losses to start off the 2013-2014 Men’s College Basketball Season while Virginia Tech has played better-than expected since their loss in the season opener to USC Upstate.
Arguably the biggest matchup for Saturday’s game will be between Virginia Tech’s star senior scoring leader Jarell Eddie and VCU’s scoring leader Treveon Graham. Both of these players are the featured players on offense and also the players that both coaches would probably draw up a last-second shot for. These players play similar position and their similar skill sets makes it likely that these two will be matched up against each other throughout the game.
Dec 17, 2013; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams guard Treveon Graham (21) shoots the ball against the Wofford Terriers in the first half at Stuart C. Siegel Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Treveon Graham is a player that gets to the free throw line a decent amount and has averaged just over 5 free throw attempts per game this season. However, Jarell Eddie is avearging only 1.6 fouls per game in almost 33 minutes of time on the floor which is quite impressive and shows Eddie’s defensive awareness and smarts. However, any matchup like this with two experienced players can make some of these numbers insignificant so we’ll see if Eddie can keep Graham away from the free throw line.
Jarell Eddie’s overall shooting percentage hasn’t been great this season but Eddie is actually shooting better from beyond the arc than from elsewhere on the court with him shooting 48.6% from beyond the arc and 44.7% overall. Graham is not an effective shot blocker with ana verage of 0.1 blocks per game so Eddie should have some opportunities. However, Graham will have plenty of help from VCU’s Havoc Defense which will not be able to stopped for the whole game.
Jarell Eddie will have to make sure that Treveon Graham is unable to crash the boards on VCU possessions with Graham being a very good offensive rebounder who is averagin 2.6 offensive rebounds per game so far to go with his overall average of 6.5 rebounds per game. Eddie is averaging 7.0 rebounds per game with 5.9 defensive rebounds on average which shows how Eddie is effective at preventing offensive rebounds. No matter what, the battle on the glass between Graham and Eddie will be one to watch when these two featured scorers face off in Richmond.