VCU struggles to earn first big win post-Shaka Smart
Trying to follow in the footsteps of the most successful coach in school history figured to be tough enough at VCU for Will Wade. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation to this point in the season has complicated things even further. 
And let’s not forget that while Wade took over the program Shaka Smart coached to a Final Four in 2011, he didn’t inherit the talent Smart had at his disposal then or even last season when the Rams made their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
[Jakob Poeltl plays through foul trouble to lead Utah over Duke]
Wade and the Rams experienced more frustration Saturday losing another close and winnable game 69-63 at home against No. 23 Cincinnati. It was only the second nonconference loss for VCU at the Siegel Center in the past 26 games.
Rarely are losses caused by the performance of a single player, but this one is probably going to stick with VCU senior Melvin Johnson, who is one of the best shooters in the nation but didn’t look anything close to it on Saturday.
Johnson had made at least one 3-pointer in 15 consecutive games and is fourth on the school’s career 3-point shooting list. Yet, he went 0-for-11 against the Bearcats, including 0-for-5 behind the arc. If Johnson was even slightly more like himself in this one, VCU might have emerged with its first big win of the season. Instead the Rams lost their third consecutive game and seem to be at or nearing a point where they will have to win the A-10 tournament in March to get into the NCAA Tournament for a sixth straight year. Saturday’s setback followed earlier disappointments against Georgia Tech, Florida State, Wisconsin and Duke for Wade and his team.
While Johnson struggled mightily, Korey Billbury did his best to pick up the slack for the Rams scoring 13 in the first half and finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds.
[Lethal offense has been Virginia’s calling card so far this season]
While the Rams have to be disappointed, Cincinnati found a little redemption for a blowout loss at home to VCU last year that came on the same day that coach Mick Cronin announced he was taking a leave of absence to deal with a health problem that ended up being a tear in a artery feeding his brain.
Cincinnati lost last season by 21 points, playing in the fog of the shock from Cronin’s announcement. The Bearcats had no such weight on their shoulders Saturday. Troy Caupain and Farad Cobb each scored 15 points and Gary Clark scored 13 with nine rebounds to earn Cronin win No. 10 in his comeback season.
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[Kyle Ringo is the assistant editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo
