This preview is part of the Atlantic 10's 2020-21 Men's Basketball Tipoff, which also includes A-10 media day, the preseason poll and awards and the 2020-21 schedule. The previews, written by Patrick Stevens, began on Nov. 10 and will continue through the week. Once released, each preview can be found here.
VCU ESSENTIALS
Roster | Statistics | Headlines
There figured to be some change at VCU after the Rams saw a 16-5 start unravel with eight losses in their final 10 games last season.
Without even the chance to see Mike Rhoades' team play, there's one obvious difference: The roster.
Gone are five of VCU's top six scorers. In are four freshmen, as well as frontcourt transfers Brendan Medley-Bacon (Coppin State) and Levi Stockard III (Kansas State).
There might not be a team in the Atlantic 10 with less continuity than the Rams. But they don't believe it will be a hindrance in trying to return to their usual spot near the top of the league.
"There's definitely a lot of excitement," said Corey Douglas Jr., the only senior on the roster who was part of the program last season. "There's a lot more minutes open. Guys have the opportunity to prove themselves and play. With a young team, it's an open opportunity."
Getting Medley-Bacon, a 7-foot-1 interior presence, immediately eligible was welcome news this month. He instantly becomes one of VCU's most tested college players. The same can be said for sophomore guard Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland, who started nine games and averaged 9.0 points en route to an Atlantic 10 all-rookie nod.
"It's definitely still a learning experience for me," Hyland said. "I wouldn't say I'm a veteran yet, but I can definitely still help the younger guys come a long way."
A LOOK AT THE RAMS:
Coach: Mike Rhoades, fourth season at VCU, 61-36 with the Rams and 305-164 overall in 15 seasons
Last year: Picked to win the Atlantic 10 in the preseason, the Rams went 18-13 and tied for eighth in the conference with Massachusetts with an 8-10 league record.
They'll miss: Most of their rotation. VCU saw forward Marcus Santos-Silva (12.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) transfer to Texas Tech and its other four starters graduate, including De'Riante Jenkins (10.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Marcus Evans (9.8 ppg, 2.8 apg).
Impact returners: Only three players left on the roster have started a game at VCU, with Douglas bringing 13 career starts into the season.
While Douglas will likely see a larger role in the frontcourt, this is also an opportunity for juniors KeShawn Curry (4.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Vince Williams Jr. (4.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) to assume more prominent places in the rotation. Williams finally got a full offseason in after surgeries heading into his first years, and his versatility should prove valuable.
"They've played very well here in the preseason, and they've been leaders and good examples of how to go about it and teaching our young guys," Rhoades said.
Newbies of note: Now that he's eligible, Medley-Bacon (a late bloomer who was a third-team all-MEAC pick last season) has a chance to make an impact. Stockard, who played in the Elite Eight at Kansas State, has no shortage of high-level experience.
But the Rams will also count on a four-man freshman class that includes guards Adrian Baldwin Jr. and Josh Banks and forwards Mikeal Brown-Jones and Jamir Watkins.
"Some young guys that I think are very talented are going to get thrown in the fire from Day One," Rhoades said. "We're going to be playing a lot of freshmen, but they're guys as the year goes on, I think they're going to get better and better. We have some guys who can play. They just don't know what college basketball is all about until they're in that situation."
Reasons to be optimistic: Two things are striking about VCU's struggles last season. One, it had some lousy injury luck. Two, its high risk/high reward defensive philosophy produced its usual benefits (No. 6 nationally in turnover percentage, according to KenPom.com) but also some downsides when opponents got into the halfcourt (the Rams sank from 2
nd to 213
th in opponents' 3-point percentage).
Both things can be fixed. VCU could very well go 10-deep again, and its style works better with that sort of manpower rather than with one or two guys sidelined.
Given how much of the program's identity revolves around defense, it's unlikely to remain a problem in consecutive seasons. It's telling that despite the late-season problems, the Rams were still 45
th in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.
Ultimately, finding some experience to replace Santos-Silva in the paint was a critical development. Hyland reached double figures in eight of the last 12 games, and he could use that as a springboard to a strong sophomore year.
X factor: There's little reason to overthink things here. Hyland was a bright spot amid VCU's late struggles, and it was clear even before then he would be a long-term centerpiece for the program. A Third Team Preseason All-Conference selection, Hyland will have a big part in whatever success the Rams enjoy this winter.
"He's definitely matured on and off the court and gotten stronger," Rhoades said. "He also knows he has to step up as a player like he did the last nine games of the year when we had all those injuries. He also knows he has to bring his teammates along."
Circle the date: At least the pandemic didn't prevent VCU from scheduling former conference rival Old Dominion. The Rams and the Monarchs played some memorable games in their history, and they'll meet Dec. 12 at the Siegel Center as part of a doubleheader also featuring two other Virginia schools (and one A-10 school!): George Mason and James Madison.
Bottom line: Those inside the program believe things are looking up. Rhoades remade a good chunk of the roster, and the Rams could have the makings of an NCAA tournament team and an A-10 title contender. The fair question is when. Given the unusual offseason, it might take some time for VCU to piece everything together. Yet if the Rams can revert to its usual level on defense, they'll be a team no one wants to see in March.
Patrick Stevens is a veteran freelance college basketball writer. A former sports reporter for the Washington Times, he has been a contributor to Atlantic10.com for the past seven years. Follow him on Twitter at @D1scourse.