GAME NOTES: The VCU Rams will try to remain perfect at home when they host the Hofstra Pride this afternoon in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup at the Siegel Center. It has been a tough season for the Pride, as the team has dropped nine of its first 12 games and five of its last six. The last time Hofstra was on the court the team suffered a tough, 74-69 loss to UNC- Wilmington. The loss dropped Hofstra's road record this year to a horrendous 0-6. As for the Rams, they opened their new campaign with a 3-3 mark, but since then the team has collected seven wins in its last eight games. This past Thursday VCU pushed its home record to 6-0 with a thrilling 49-47 win over Georgia State. Last year the Rams were an outstanding 16-2 in league action, and the team is off to a solid start this season, posting a 3-1 mark thus far. VCU holds a slim 7-5 edge over Hofstra in the all-time series, but the Pride have won the last two meetings, including a 79-68 victory over the Rams last season.

It is no secret that Antoine Agudio is the top player for Hofstra. The guard is currently fourth in the nation in scoring at 26.2 ppg. However, after him there is not much scoring power on the roster. Charles Jenkins is the only other player posting double figures for Hofstra, as he enters today's game netting 13.8 ppg. Even with Agudio and Jenkins, the Pride are averaging a mere 66.0 ppg, while shooting just 40.8 percent from the field. The last time Hofstra took the court the team suffered a five-point loss to UNC-Wilmington. In the setback, the Pride shot 44.4 percent and were led by Agudio, who poured in 29 points on an 11-of-25 effort from the floor. Jenkins added 17 points, while the rest of the team combined for just 23 points.

The success for the Rams this season can be attributed to the team's tremendous efforts at the defensive end of the floor, as the squad is currently limiting opponents to a mere 60.0 ppg, while holding them to a 37.5 percent shooting effort. The tenacious defensive play continued this past Thursday, as the Rams posted a 49-47 win over Georgia State. In the victory, VCU held the Panthers to a 33.3 percent shooting effort from the floor, which included a terrible 3-of-16 clip from long range. Fortunately, the team was solid defensively, because on offense the squad struggled, shooting just 34.9 percent. Jamal Shuler was the only player in double figures, as he scored 13 points. Eric Maynor, who is leading the team with 18.4 ppg, had trouble in the contest, netting just nine points on a 2-of-10 clip from the field. On the year, VCU is averaging just 68.6 ppg, while shooting 43.9 percent.

Just like every other team, the Rams will have trouble containing Agudio. However, even with the standout guard going off, VCU should still be able to grab a victory on its home floor.