Matchups: 5 VCU vs. 12 Akron

5 Virginia Commonwealth vs. 12 Akron

Tip-off: 9:45 tonight, The Palace, CBS
Guards
VCU has a heavy guard emphasis with Darius Theus (4.9 assists), Rob Brandenberg , Troy Daniels and Treveon Graham (15.7 points). The strength is the Rams’ pressure defense — they lead the country in turnover margin and steals. Young Akron, meanwhile, has had to see freshman PG Carmelo Betancourt emerge in recent weeks after the suspension of Alex Abreu (10.3 points).
Edge: Virginia Commonwealth
Frontcourt
Akron has a big advantage in Zeke Marshall , a 7-footer who is averaging 3.6 blocks. The Zips, ninth in the nation in blocks (5.7), also have Fs Chauncey Gilliam (6-5) and 6-7 Demetrius Treadwell (11.2 points, 7.7 rebounds). Virginia Commonwealth’s strength, in turn, is in the backcourt, but the Rams feature 6-9 F JuvonteReddic (14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds).
Edge: Akron
Bench
VCU has gone deep with 11 of 12 players on the roster having played significant roles, and eight averaging 10 minutes or more. Rams coach Shaka Smart has used 256 combinations. Akron’s bench has a plus-6.8 scoring advantage, outscoring opponents in seven of the last 13 games.
Edge: Virginia Commonwealth
Coaches
Akron coach Keith Dambrot and Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart know each other well — Smart was an assistant with the Zips from 2004-2006. Dambrot is in his ninth season at his alma mater and has won nearly 70 percent of his games and was the Mid-American Conference coach of the year. Smart led the Rams to a surprising run to the Final Four in 2011 and built a reputation has a big-game coach.
Edge: Virginia Commonwealth
Prediction
Virginia Commonwealth 77-63