Treveon Graham’s 1,639 points rank sixth on VCU’s all-time scoring list.
Treveon Graham didn’t need Tuesday night’s 26-point, 8-rebound, 1-leg performance at Rhode Island to validate his legacy. Who did he have left to convince, really? But if there was one game that crystallizes everything we’ve come to understand about Graham and his terrific VCU career, it was his effort to hoist the Rams out of what seemed destined to be a loss and into an unforgettable 65-60 come-from-behind victory.
Graham injured his ankle early in the second half when a Rhode Island player dove into his legs while attempting to track down a loose ball. The 6-foot-5 forward, who left the game for a short time, returned noticeably gimpy. Didn’t matter. Graham scored 16 of his points in the second half — each bucket more important, more unlikely, than the last — to rally VCU from nine points down.
By the final horn, it had become “The Treveon Graham Game”. It’s trivial, these designations we assign, the levels of platitudes, the adoration of a singular spectacular performance that overshadows a legacy built on consistency. Besides, Graham already had a 3-pointer to beat Virginia (The Dagger 2.0) and a 34-point, life-preserver effort at La Salle last year. Was Tuesday’s game any different or any more significant? Who knows, but it sure felt different. Maybe it’s our affection for the dramatic, but it was gutty, a performance both individually dominant and somehow selfless all at the same time.
I hope VCU fans appreciate that guys like Graham are rare (I think they do). It’s one thing to be able to play, it’s another thing to bring it every single night. This is a guy that had two Division I scholarship offers – TWO – and he’s going to be an All-American, assuming the voters have any sense whatsoever.
There’s about half a season left in this freight train’s career. Enjoy the ride.
Tired of listening to me? Here’s what other people thought of Graham’s seminal performance Tuesday at Rhode Island:
I know one thing about VCU. Treveon Graham is one tough hombre. Way to battle Treveon! Go Rams
— Calvin Harris (@Calh60) January 14, 2015
Stay off the roads Ram Nation. Unless you’re Treveon Graham, because not even icy roads can stop Treveon Graham.
— VCU Ram Nation (@VCURamNation) January 14, 2015
@8NEWS If Treveon Graham can carry VCU on his back with an injured ankle then I suppose I can drive to work in this ice. #LetsGoVCU
— DestryWhite (@DestryWhite) January 14, 2015
Treveon Graham scraped the ice off my windshield this morning.
— MGL (@VCULitos) January 14, 2015
God bless you Treveon Graham. That is all.
— District Baller (@DistrictBaller) January 14, 2015
Treveon Graham had a jersey in rafters type of night. #Vcu
— Trey Herbert (@TreyHerbert) January 14, 2015
Treveon Graham is currently trending in Richmond, VA and my heart. #RamNation #LetsGoVCU
— Stan Holmes (@StanHolmes08) January 14, 2015
Great win by VCU! Treveon Graham should be granted tenure. #LetsGoVCU #Havoc
— WittyUserName (@WittyUserName) January 14, 2015
I’m going to name my firstborn Treveongraham Freighttrain Doyon Jr. (I’ll already have legally changed my name to that by then.)
— Matt Doyon (@TheDoyonian) January 14, 2015
Treveon Graham…The Eater of Worlds!!! #LetsGoVCU
— Jesse Varner (@JesseFS910) January 14, 2015
TREVEON GRAHAM IS SUPER HUMAN
— Sanjit Bhatia (@SanjitTheBear) January 14, 2015
Treveon Graham, toughest SOB in the game.
— Richmond Good Life (@RichmondGL) January 14, 2015
Jan 14, 2015 @ 15:15:10
ditto everything said above!! Great game and stick-to-it-iveness by RAMS
Jan 15, 2015 @ 08:32:36
Looked at the incident that led to Traveon’s injury several times in slo-mo and frame-by-frame. Not convinced that this was an accident. This looked like the URI player was deliberately going after Traveon’s legs.
Jan 15, 2015 @ 08:57:49
Nah, I don’t buy that for a second. I’m not how much slow motion can tell you intent.
Jan 15, 2015 @ 09:35:21
In a game where our defense was being matched and dealt with (to put it delicately) for so much of play time, our offense became key. Tre not only brought it, with all that heart, but he inspired the rest of the team. He was a true leader. We’re still talking about this game in my house. I just can’t stop. And great defense in the final 9, again, I believe inspired by Tre. Kudos to Bri for hitting all 4 of those FT’s and getting it out of their reach. Truly a game for us all to remember and be proud of. They make it so much fun to be a fan!
As for the speculation around the “accident”- there was talk of that on twitter as well. I can’t think that team is Cobra Kai and the coach is all, “Sweep the leg.” Right?