VCU Rams score victories in Greece
Fred Jeter | 8/10/2023, 6 p.m.
New VCU basketball Coach Ryan Odom is piling up the miles on his “Odometer” before his first season begins.
He’s also accumulated two victories – albeit exhibitions – to show on his early résumé.
During a 10-day competitive and sightseeing trip to Greece, the Rams routed the Athens All-Stars and Petras All-Stars, both by about 50-point margins.
Coach Odom cleared the bench in both contests with 6-foot- 8 sophomore Tobi Lawal scoring 43 points in the two games combined.
VCU made a similar “business with pleasure” trip to Italy in 2012.
The Rams have a long history in overseas travel dating to December 1972.
Under Coach Chuck Noe the Rams traveled to Portugal, Spain and France, winning in Lisbon and splitting two games in Madrid.
The 1972 games were played over the winter break. VCU went on to post a 15-5 record during a period in which the Rams were transitioning to Division I and had difficulty finding opponents.
Among the key players during the 1972-1973 season were Reggie Cain, Jesse Dark, Bernard Harris, Howie Robertson, Dave Edwards and Tom Motley.
