Richmond, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - The seventh-ranked Virginia Cavaliers will face a tough test on Saturday afternoon, as they tangle with the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in a non-conference affair at the Siegel Center. No challenge has been too difficult for Virginia, with the team a perfect 8-0 entering Saturdays duel. The Cavaliers most recent success came on the road against former ACC rival Maryland (76-65). They will begin a three-game homestand next, beginning against Cleveland State on Dec. 18. VCU is starting a three-game homestand of its own in this contest, with dates against Northern Iowa and Belmont coming up. The Rams topped Illinois State on the road last time out (66-62), improving their overall record to 5-2 in the process. These in-state rivals have met 12 times previously, with Virginia claiming victory 10 times. However, when they met last season, the Rams escaped with a 59-56 win at John Paul Jones Arena. Virginia led by as many as 18 points and never trailed against Maryland. The Cavaliers were successful on 53.1 percent of their shots from the floor, while limiting the Terrapins to 30 percent accuracy. They also enjoyed a 36-20 scoring edge in the paint and a 34-22 advantage in rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon scored a game-high 18 points, while Justin Anderson finished with 16 points and six boards, which tied for the team lead. Last season, Virginia used its exceptional defensive ability to roll to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers are following the same blueprint this season. They currently rank among the top-five teams in the country in scoring defense (46.3 ppg, second), opponent field goal percentage (.311, fourth), opponent assists (7.1 apg, second) and opponent rebounds (26.4 rpg, third). Anderson (15.1 ppg) has made great strides as a scorer this season, connecting on 54.4 percent of his field goal attempts. Anthony Gill (12.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) scores and rebounds well, and Brogdon (12.2 ppg) is a tenacious defender, who can put the ball in the basket as well. VCU avoided a setback against Illinois State thanks to a 13-5 run to finish the contest, capped by a pair of free throws by Briante Weber with four seconds to play. The Rams only made 33.8 percent of their shots from the floor, but they had 25 more field goal attempts than did the Redbirds because of 24 forced turnovers and 19 offensive rebounds. Melvin Johnson drained five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 19 points. Shaka Smarts HAVOC defensive scheme has not been as effective this season. The Rams are logging a solid number of steals per game (9.1), but they have not really slowed down teams offensively, with opponents falling just below 70 points per game and 45 percent shooting. Treveon Graham (17.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Johnson (17.1 ppg) have each taken it upon themselves to be the offensive forces for the squad. Weber (8.8 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.8 spg) is the next-best scorer on the roster, but he makes more of an impact as a passer and a defender, with his ability to rack up assists and steals. Phil McConkey Giants Jersey . The Spanish champions decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort by its hosts at the Camp Nou, where former Spain coach Luis Aragones -- who previously coached the Catalan side -- was honoured after his death on Saturday. Mark Bavaro Youth Jersey . -- Another baseball tradition is about to largely disappear: a manager, with a crazed look in his eyes, charging the field and getting into a face-to-face shouting match with an umpire. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Phil-Simms-Jersey/. The defending champions’ roller coaster season included trading offensive star Percy Harvin in the midst of the team’s 3-3 start. That move that reportedly irked several Seahawk players, but one management saw necessary to save the team’s chemistry. Odell Beckham Jr Womens Jersey . The team announced that it exercised the options on 15 players including goalkeepers Evan Bush, Maxime Crepeau and Troy Perkins, defenders Matteo Ferrari, Karl W. Daniel Jones Giants Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side.INDIANAPOLIS - IndyCar on Wednesday returned Brian Barnhart to his former role as head of race control.Barnhart had the same role from 1997 through 2011, but was removed after a controversial final season. He has been IndyCars vice-president of competition in the three years since, and was a key part of the system implemented last season that requires a two-thirds vote among three stewards for in-race penalties.We believe that based on his extensive experience in race control, combined with the three-steward system, Brian Barnhart is a good fit, said Derrick Walker, president of competition and operations.As vice-president of competition, Barnhart already oversees the race control staff, the sporting regulations of the rulebook, the safety team and medical personnel, security and timing and scoring.Barnhart has been a part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar since 1994.This is a position and a role that Ive done for a number of years and I take a great deal of pride in being race director, Barnhart said. One of the things that excites me the most is the steward system we implemented last year. That was a great advancement in how we review and make discretionary decisions, and having that assistance in making calls is a big improvement to the way we officiate IndyCar events.Barnhart was initially taken out of race control after a 2011 season that saw him publicly criticized for decisions that drivers found to be arbitrary.Will Power was caught on live television making an obscene gesture toward the race control tower at New Hampshire, and Helio Castroneves called Barnhart a circus cloown in a Twitter rant.ddddddddddddPower was furious when Barnhart decided to resume racing at New Hampshire despite driver protests it was raining too hard. The slick conditions caused a crash on the restart that collected Power, who infamously flashed his two middle fingers toward Barnhart.About six weeks later, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves took to Twitter to vent about Barnhart penalizing him for passing under yellow in Japan. He accused Barnhart of bringing down an entire series.Both drivers were fined $30,000 by IndyCar, but both stood by their convictions.Roger Penske, the team owner for both Power and Castroneves, lauded returning Barnhart to his former role.I think its good to bring someone in who knows the teams, all the antics with all of us, Penske said. I know his heart is in it. He was moved aside to take on other roles and responsibilities, but hes never distanced himself too far from that race directors spot. Im glad to see Brian back on his feet there. I dont always agree with him, but hell be an asset.Penske team President Tim Cindric was also in favour of the move, adding he didnt think IndyCar looked very far in its search for a new race director.Hes been there before, hes a known quantity and bringing someone in we didnt know is a bigger question, Cindric said. Brian is somebody we understand, he understands us, and hes the guy. I dont see any other candidates out there who are any better.All we as teams want is consistency. Its probably one of the most difficult jobs, a thankless job, but its also one that puts you right in the thick of it. ' ' '