Saturday, March 8th, 12:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Richmond Coliseum (11,200) -- Richmond, Virginia. Television: CN8. Home Record: Towson 11-4, VCU 12-1. Away Record: Towson 1-13, VCU 9-3. Neutral Record: Towson 1-0, VCU 2-2. Conference Record: Towson 7-11, VCU 15-3. Series Record: VCU leads, 13-1.

GAME NOTES: After dominating the Colonial Athletic Association throughout the season, the top-seeded Virginia Commonwealth Rams will take on the ninth-seeded Towson Tigers this afternoon in quarterfinal action at the Richmond Coliseum. The Tigers used an 81-66 victory over the Hofstra Pride yesterday afternoon to move into today's quarterfinal matchup. It was the third win in the last four games for Towson, and it was just the third ever victory for the Tigers in CAA Tournament action. As for the Rams, they cruised down the final stretch of the regular-season, winning eight of their last nine games, including four in a row. The team finished with an outstanding 15-3 mark in league play, and are now the front runners to claim the CAA title, which would be the second straight for the Rams. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Rams have dominated Towson, winning 13 of the 14 meetings, including a 62-45 victory earlier this season.

The Tigers used a strong 22-of-27 clip from the foul line yesterday to grab a convincing, 81-66 victory over the Hofstra Pride in first round action of the CAA Tournament. As a whole, Towson only shot 41.3 percent from the floor and made just 7-of-16 three-point attempts. However, the team forced 19 turnovers, 14 of which were steals. Josh Thornton, who is leading the Tigers with 12.8 ppg, scored 22 points against the Pride on a 9-of-14 showing from the floor. Tony Durant added 20 points, while C. C. Williams contributed 14 points to go along with five assists and six steals. Junior Hairston, who is chipping in 12.3 ppg to go along with a team-best 9.1 rpg, posted eight points and pulled down six caroms.

The Rams have the ability to make any team look pathetic offensively, and throughout the season VCU did just that, holding the opposition to just 58.6 ppg. The Rams limited teams to a mere 37.9 percent shooting effort from the floor, which included a woeful 26.6 percent clip from long range. VCU also forced 15.2 turnovers per matchup, and collected a CAA high 240 steals. At the other end of the floor, the team has been paced Eric Maynor, who was named CAA Player of the Year. Maynor lead the Rams with 17.8 ppg and 154 assists, and also shot a strong 40.7 percent from long range. Jamal Shuler is the only other player netting double figures for VCU, and comes into this matchup with 15.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg. As a whole, the Rams have been mediocre offensively, scoring 67.9 ppg, while shooting 43.8 percent on the season.

Towson was outstanding offensively against Hofstra, but it is very unlikely the Tigers can repeat that effort against VCU. The Rams are strong at both ends of the floor and should win this matchup rather easily.

Predicted Outcome

Virginia Commonwealth 72, Towson 54