Spring Break
Rams gear up to battle UNC Bears
Matthew Pucak
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Sports
The Rams know that this is an area that they must improve on if they want to win.
"They are great at getting offensive rebounds and we are only OK at defensive rebounding," Miles said. "We have to the right mentality on the boards, and we have to hang around in that area."
The Rams' three new, big men -- Vandervieren, sophomore forward Andy Ogide and junior forward Mame Bocar Ba -- will be key to this mentality even though they didn't play against the Bears last year.
"If we focus on one thing, on film and talking to the coaches, it is that we need to get every offensive rebound on our end and get every defensive rebound on the other," Vandervieren said.
The 6-foot-11-inch Vandervieren, who was originally going to sit out the season for the Rams due to shoulder and ankle injuries, decided to return after taking two months off.
This decision is a huge but limited boost to Rams' line-up.
"I'm not looking to come out here and play a lot of minutes, I am just looking to help," Vandervieren saud, estimating his health level at 80 percent.
The Rams know the Bears will be a stiff challenge but feel they will match-up better than last season.
"UNC plays with a lot of intensity; they are hard nosed, they get after it and they are a physical team," Walker said.
"I think that we have a different style than they do, as we are a little more fast break and finesse. But at the same time we have more physicality this season, and we will have to use it against teams like them if we want to win games."
Men's basketball beat reporter Matthew Pucak can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
"They are great at getting offensive rebounds and we are only OK at defensive rebounding," Miles said. "We have to the right mentality on the boards, and we have to hang around in that area."
The Rams' three new, big men -- Vandervieren, sophomore forward Andy Ogide and junior forward Mame Bocar Ba -- will be key to this mentality even though they didn't play against the Bears last year.
"If we focus on one thing, on film and talking to the coaches, it is that we need to get every offensive rebound on our end and get every defensive rebound on the other," Vandervieren said.
The 6-foot-11-inch Vandervieren, who was originally going to sit out the season for the Rams due to shoulder and ankle injuries, decided to return after taking two months off.
This decision is a huge but limited boost to Rams' line-up.
"I'm not looking to come out here and play a lot of minutes, I am just looking to help," Vandervieren saud, estimating his health level at 80 percent.
The Rams know the Bears will be a stiff challenge but feel they will match-up better than last season.
"UNC plays with a lot of intensity; they are hard nosed, they get after it and they are a physical team," Walker said.
"I think that we have a different style than they do, as we are a little more fast break and finesse. But at the same time we have more physicality this season, and we will have to use it against teams like them if we want to win games."
Men's basketball beat reporter Matthew Pucak can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
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