ESPN2 has VCU and Richmond on the move

The annual Farm Bureau Insurance Black and Blue Classic, originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, has been moved to the previous day to accommodate ESPN2. The rivalry game will still take place at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m.

The VCU-Richmond rivalry has a rich history that dates back to 1976. The Spiders captured a 72-60 victory over the Rams last season at the Robins Center to snap a six-game VCU win streak in the series. The Rams hold a 40-25 advantage all-time.

Sellouts in both arenas have become the norm for this annual battle for city bragging rights. This year’s match-up should hold particular significance. Each school is coming off potentially its best season in program history. The Rams and Spiders each advanced to the Sweet 16 in San Antonio, Texas last season. Richmond eventually fell to Kansas in the Southwest Region semifinals, while VCU knocked off the Jayhawks two days later to reach the Final Four.

ESPN2’s arrival onto the scene enhances VCU’s impressive television package for the 2011-12 season. The Rams recently announced a partnership that allows to the school to broadcast all of its home games on ESPN3 this season. The ESPN3 deal notwithstanding, VCU will appear on ESPN’s family of networks (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU) a minimum of five times this year, a number that could grow to as many as nine.

VCU is also part of the CAA’s comprehensive television package with Comcast. The Comcast Network and Comcast SportsNet are scheduled to carry nine Ram games.

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On the first day of the national signing period (November 9), Head Coach Shaka Smart and the VCU Rams added three new players they believe can help the Rams reach new heights. Forwards Justin Tuoyo (Hampton, Ga.) and forwards Mo Alie-Cox (Middleburg, Va.) and Jordan Burgess (Midlothian, Va.) all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Black & Gold in 2012-13.

“I’m really excited about this group of players,” Smart said. “They provide us with toughness, skill and terrific potential in the front court.”

Tuoyo is a 6-9, 210-pound center from Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga, where he led the team to the Quarterfinals of the 4A playoffs.  During his junior season, he averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks per game.

“Justin is a phenomenal kid with major upside on both ends of the floor,” Smart commented. “His ability to run the floor and block shots make him a unique talent.”

Rivals.com ranked Tuoyo 84th in the country last season, while ESPN.com ranked him the #30 center in the country and a Top 20 player in Georgia. His skill on the hardwood garnered him interest from Virginia Tech, Memphis, Richmond, and Georgia Tech.

Alie-Cox is a 6-6, 250-pound power forward with a 7-1 wingspan who was named the #9 recruit in Virginia by Rivals.com and the #16 recruit in Virginia by ESPN.com.  He drew interest from Nevada, Delaware, George Washington, and Wake Forest before deciding to play for the Black & Gold.

“Mo’s skill-set is exceptional for a player of his size,” Smart said. “His ability to rebound and score make him a terrific fit for our system.”

A member of the Middleberg Academy basketball team, Cox averaged 16 points per game, 12 rebounds per game, and seven blocks during his junior year. He was also named to First Team All-State for Virginia Independent Schools last year.

Burgess, a 6-4, 210-pound wing, comes to the Rams from nearby Benedictine High School where he helped lead the team to the independent school state title while averaging 13 points per game and eight rebounds per game. During his junior year, he was named Second Team All Metro and Second Team All State Independent Schools.

“Jordan has a great opportunity to be an impact player,” Smart said. “His body and toughness level are college ready, and he possesses very good understanding of what goes into winning.”

A #4 recruit in Virginia, according to ESPN.com, Burgess was sought after by Penn State and St. Joe’s, as well as conference foe George Mason and cross-town rival Richmond. ESPN.com also named Burgess the 31st starting forward in the country while Rivals.com listed him the #6 Impact Recruit outside the Top 150.

– The information above was provided by Scott Day at VCU.