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Charge of the Lightning Brigade
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VMI fell behind by 16, but fell into a rhythm. When the Keydets start making three-pointers, even teams such as Ohio State become endangered. The full-court press sets up. Turnovers happen. Open three-point shots become available, or the Keydets throw it quickly ahead to Reggie Williams, who guards the inbounds passer. Teams can be buried in the avalanche: The Keydets were tied at 85 with South Carolina State with four minutes to play. With 1 minute 2 seconds left, they led 99-87.
Against Ohio State, VMI rallied and trailed by eight at halftime. It pulled to within five before the Buckeyes started hitting their three-pointers, and "that was all she wrote," Baucom said. VMI lost 107-69, but the result emboldened the coach -- this might actually work.
Opponents have attempted desperate measure to slow the pace against VMI. Army willingly passed up open layups. Some players tell Williams at the free throw line, "Man, y'all run a lot. How do y'all play like this?"
The players love the freedom of the offense, and the corps of cadets loves the excitement. They fill Cameron Hall, waving flags and standing the whole game. Players noticed on their way back to barracks, the cadets talk about basketball a whole lot more than they used to.
Still, some alums grumble about giving up layups and more than 100 points a game on a regular basis at a place where discipline reigns. Like every other student at VMI, the Keydets operate on a strict schedule of formations, mess halls and room inspections.
"It's our release," guard Willie Bell said. "You have to get all that stuff over the hill, and this is like back home, just playing ball."
When the Keydets walk anywhere on campus, they are greeted by a motto Stonewall Jackson once uttered, a creed stenciled on the wall above a mural in Baucom's office.
It reads, "You may be whatever you resolve to be."
After discovering two of his top players had been kicked off the team, VMI Coach Duggar Baucom decided to radically alter their style of play, and now lead the nation in scoring.
