Virginia Commonwealth University’s Mo Alie-Cox is a 3-D basketball performer. He stands out for his defense, dunks and dreadlocks.

The imposing 6-foot-6, 255-pound sophomore from Northern Virginia is a prime reason the Rams began the week tied for first atop the Atlantic 10 Conference standings.

Answering to “Mo-nan the Barbarian,” Alie- Cox sparkled in each VCU win over George Washington University, including

the Rams’ 79-66 win Feb. 14 in the nation’s capital.

You can rest assured George Washington’s 6-foot-10 Kevin Larsen, an All-Atlantic 10 hopeful, won’t be sending Alie-Cox any Valentines or roses.

The Rams’bouncy, long-stemmed defender with the head full of flapping dreads checked Larsen for three points

in 32 minutes as VCU improved to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in the Atlantic 10.

The smothering defense was near identical to a Jan. 27 outing when Alie-Cox held Larsen to one point in 37 minutes.

Larsen averages 11 points for the Colonials, now 17-8, 7-5.

Alie-Cox scored 10 points in each victory over George Washington and is the Rams leader with 57 percent shooting, largely due to a shot selection revolving around a repertoire of dunks.

With huge hands, he grips a basketball with the ease most men might squeeze a grapefruit. His 7-foot-1 wingspan enables him to outplay foes several inches taller.

In his first year as a starter after backing up senior Juvonte Reddic a year ago, Alie-Cox averages seven points and six rebounds and is the team leader with 50 blocked shots. Following rejections, VCU fans have taken to shouting “Mo says, ‘No!’”

He alters the trajectory of many more shots and, in Larsen’s case, discouraged the mere notion of attacking the rim. Larsen attempted only two shots.

The 21-year-old Alie-Cox began high school at South County in Lorton and transferred to Middleburg Academy in Northern Virginia, where he was reclassified and repeated his junior year.

Alie-Cox sat out his first year at VCU to get adjusted academically before joining Coach Shaka Smart’s roster.

VCU basketball has a proud history of premier big men in the paint.

Starting with Bernard Harris in 1974, the Rams have had nine post players drafted by NBA teams. Others were Ren Watson,

Ken Jones, Greg McCray, Ken Stancell, Mike Schlegel, Phil Stinnie, Sherron Mills and Larry Sanders (first round, Milwaukee, 2010).

And that’s not counting Jamie Skeen, MVP of the Southwest Regional in VCU’s 2011 drive to the Final Four.

It’s about time now to add Alie-Cox to the glossy big man list.

Senior Treveon Graham, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, returned to VCU’s lineup in the game at George Washington and contributed 10 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes.

JeQuan Lewis continues to shine since filling in for the injured Briante Weber. Lewis has averaged 15.5 points, 4.2 assists and two steals in four games as a starter.