VCU Coach Shaka Smart: “What Do Those Guys That Were Talking About Us Have To Say Now?”

(By Glenn Davis, SportsGrid) - OK, so you know Jay Bilas was outraged at VCU’s NCAA Tournament bid. You know that VCU responded to such criticism by playing absolutely lights-out basketball, advancing to the Sweet 16 with three decisive NCAA Tournament wins. You know that yesterday’s 94-76 romp over Purdue was probably the Rams’ best showing yet.

And thanks to an inside-the-locker-room postgame look at a victorious VCU team, you know for sure that they’ve been using criticism like Bilas’ as motivation to perform. TNT gave viewers a look at a few of VCU coach Shaka Smart’s postgame remarks. He was, of course, extremely complimentary of his squad’s brilliant performance. Analysts’ pre-tournament assessment of his team? Less so. Smart’s speech begins at the two-minute mark below: