Welcome to the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tipoff for the 2022-23 season. This afternoon, we feature the VCU Rams.
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A special for atlantic10.com, by Zac Weiss (@ZacharyMWeiss)
For the past few years, VCU has been able to make deep runs in the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship, winning the program's first one behind the on-court leadership of Taya Robinson.
Though Robinson briefly tied up her shoelaces with the Rams one last time at the Global Jam earlier this summer, VCU moves forward this season without the graduated, long-time star, and will look to add in some new wrinkles with burgeoning talent at virtually every position.
“In terms of our success in the conference, we look at our culture and the values our players bring in every day, but also how we build that connection on and off the court,” Rams head coach Beth O’Boyle stated. “We have so many new players and returning players are in new roles. That piece is as critical as it could ever be and one of the things we learned from last year. I’m excited for where we are right now.”
Competing in the GLOBL JAM was a unique opportunity for VCU, the Rams joined the Baylor men’s team to represent the United States in games contested in Toronto, Canada.
On the surface, O’Boyle appreciated both the experience itself and the honor of being chosen by USA Basketball to compete.
Notably, an interesting twist came in the form of junior guard Sarah Te-Biasu competing for Team Canada during the event.
“We definitely learned we like it better when she is making baskets for us,” O’Boyle noted. “What a great way for our players to learn more about each other and play against professional and Olympic teams and players.”
Te-Biasu (12.7 ppg/41.4% FG/55 three-point baskets) returns as the team’s top performer, earning early repute as an Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference first team selection. The junior started in 26 of VCU’s 28 games last year and shot at a 39 percent clip from three-point range, pacing the team.
VCU brings back seven fellow returners to the program as well, notably including redshirt senior Janika Griffith-Wallace (8.7 ppg/81.5 pct. FT). Griffith-Wallace also nearly doubled her steal output this past season, earning 51 thefts. The redshirt senior was a fixture on the court last as well, as evidenced by her starting in all 28 games.
Chloe Bloom (7.1 ppg/4.8 rebs) started eight of her 21 games played – averaging 20 minutes per game – and believes her game can take the next step with the new offense VCU has installed.
“It’s been different because a lot of us are touching the ball,” Bloom assessed. “It’s very fast paced, a lot of stuff going on. We’ve been trying to find connection through that and just lately we’ve been starting to get the hang of it, so I think that will be a great strength of ours.”
O’Boyle doubled down in this belief, stating that the offense is more balanced and takes advantage of the current skillset.
There certainly is a feeling that the ball will be worked inside more to Bloom, especially when her coach praised her for how she finishes around the basket and the touch provided.
Also returning to the team are Keowa Walters (6.9 ppg/5.3 rebs/46.3 pct. FG), Samantha Robinson, Grace Hutson, Mykel Parham and Elze Motekaityte. Additionally, Adebukola Akomolafe will be able to play for VCU after redshirting last season.
VCU lost Maddison Hattix-Covington (6.8 ppg/80% FT/29 stls/26 starts) to transfer.
“Everyone can step into a new role and use their voice more,” Robinson said of her current teammates. “We do have a lot of seniors, especially in the post. It’s fun having new players coming in and working hard so that everyone is on the same page.”
Two transfers also join the program in Anisja Harris (Florida A&M) and Jennifer Ezeh (Missouri State).
Harris averaged 14.8 ppg and converted 109 three-point baskets a season ago for the Rattlers.
“She is a three-level scorer that we think can definitely add a scoring punch to the team,” O’Boyle continued. “We like the ability to put defense first and use our athleticism to take teams out of their rhythm. We thought Anisja would fit really well into our program.”
Ezeh started nine of the 14 games she appeared in, averaging 3.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
VCU also welcomes three freshmen to the team in Mary-Anna Asare, Timaya Lewis-Eutsey and Deniz Torgut.
While VCU continues to refine and retool the offense, primarily in hopes of matching its traditionally tenacious defensive style, O'Boyle added that she sees flashes of true chemistry in the form of fun, personality and entertainment.
“I love spending time with them, they are highly entertaining, they have unique personalities that come out in lots of fun ways,” O’Boyle concluded. “Sarah is a good dancer, she’ll say she is the best on the team. I look at some of the smiles and the way they just interact, there is a genuine care which is great…[Now] it’s just getting to know each other. Lot of new pieces, so constantly talking about our cohesiveness.”