Virginia Commonwealth has shot its way through the bracket, swishing 53 of 121 3-pointers, a mind-boggling number only outdone by this one: In five games, the Rams are outscoring their opponents by 90 from the arc.

VCU’s torrid shooting has turned the 3-point line into the line of demarcation here for Saturday’s national semifinal between Butler and VCU.

Whoever controls it wins.

“I don’t think it’s the key to making Butler play our game, but it’s the key to making the scoreboard move,’’ coach Shaka Smart said. “The scoreboard never moves any faster than when that ball goes in from behind the arc, for any team, not just us.’’
VCU players have a perpetual green light from their trusting coach.

“In two years I have never heard Shaka say, ‘That was a bad shot,’’’ Rhoades said. “They know they have the freedom to keep shooting and it’s been like that from Day 1. That’s why a guy like Brandon Rozzell can play the way he does. I’m not sure he could play for a lot of other coaches in the country, but here it’s perfect for him.’’