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Virginia Commonwealth guard Joey Rodriguez (12) passes around Purdue's D.J. Byrd in the first half of a third-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011. At left is Purdue guard Ryne Smith. Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press
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Virginia Commonwealth guard Joey Rodriguez (12) and coach Shaka Smart smile after a third-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game against Purdue in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Virginia Commonwealth beat Purdue 94-76. Jim Prisching, Associated Press
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Virginia Commonwealth guard Joey Rodriguez gestures after a 3-pointer in the second half of a third-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game against Purdue in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Virginia Commonwealth won 94-76. Jim Prisching, Associated Press
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Virginia Commonwealth guard Joey Rodriguez, right, dives for a loose ball against Purdue guard Lewis Jackson in the second half of a third-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Jim Prisching, Associated Press
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This photo made March 7, 2011 shows Virginia Commonwealth University guard Joey Rodriguez yelling during the Colonial Athletic Association Championship final in Richmond, Va. Rodriguez and his team leave Wednesday, March 23, 2011 for NCAA Regional Semifin Steve Helber, Associated Press
By Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — VCU point guard Joey Rodriguez was talking with Shaka Smart before the second round of the NCAA tournament when he told his coach he thought the Rams could win it all.

VCU has done nothing to make that seem unrealistic through their first three rounds of the tournament, and the steady play of their senior floor leader has a lot to do with why.

Teammate Brandon Rozzell calls Rodriguez the "heartbeat" of the team.

Hampered for much of this season by nagging injuries, Rodriguez was probably never better than in the last round, when the Rams stunned Purdue pretty much from start to finish, 94-76.

In 34 minutes, he scored 12 points, had 11 assists and no turnovers.

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The Rams play Florida State on Friday in San Antonio.

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