Andrew Pace
The VCU Rams are the athletic teams of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. The Rams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The university's most successful teams include the men's basketball team, which has enjoyed popularity and success in conference, regional, and national competitions. The women's basketball team, coached by Beth O'Boyle, has also seen success in recent years. The men's basketball team has had 12 head coaches since its inception in 1968, with the current head coach being Ryan Odom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the school | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Athletic team name | VCU Rams |
| School colours | Black and gold |
| Athletic director | Ed McLaughlin |
| Official student supporter group | Rowdy Rams |
| Location | Richmond, Virginia, United States |
| Year founded | 1968 |
| Number of head coaches in the team's history | 12 |
| Current head coach | Ryan Odom |
| Number of women's basketball coaches | 2 (Beth O'Boyle and Beth Cunningham) |
| Year of the team's first varsity basketball game | 1968 |
| First varsity basketball coach | Benny Dees |
| Number of rivals | 3 (Old Dominion, George Mason, and the University of Richmond) |
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What You'll Learn
- VCU Rams basketball is part of Virginia Commonwealth University
- The Rams compete in Division I of the NCAA
- The men's basketball team is one of the university's most popular and successful programs
- The women's basketball team is also successful, enjoying their best season in 2008-2009
- The Rams have three major rivals: Old Dominion, George Mason, and the University of Richmond
VCU Rams basketball is part of Virginia Commonwealth University
The VCU Rams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The university sponsors teams in seven men's and eight women's NCAA-sanctioned sports, including basketball. The Rams' basketball team first began competing in 1968, and the current head coach of the men's team is Ryan Odom.
The Rams have had notable successes in their Division I basketball competitions. In 2007, the men's team received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I tournament after winning the CAA championship game. They finished the season with a record of 27-6, setting a school record for wins. In 2011, the men's team reached the Elite Eight for the first time in school history, ultimately finishing sixth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll—the highest ranking in VCU's history. The women's team also achieved success in the 2008-2009 season, finishing with a record of 26-7 overall and reaching their first-ever NCAA tournament.
The Rams have had several coaches throughout their history, with the current head coach, Ryan Odom, being the 12th in the program's history. Notable former coaches include Benny Dees, who coached the team for its first two seasons, and Jeff Capel, who became the youngest head coach in Division I NCAA basketball at 27 years old when he was promoted in 2002.
The Rams have three major rivals: Old Dominion, George Mason, and their long-standing crosstown rival, the University of Richmond. The success of these two schools' basketball programs was highlighted in the 2011 NCAA tournament, where Richmond and VCU respectively reached the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four.
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The Rams compete in Division I of the NCAA
The VCU Rams are the athletic teams of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. The Rams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The VCU Rams have had notable success in men's basketball, making it to the Final Four of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. This was the first time the Rams had progressed beyond the second round. They defeated Florida State 72-71 in overtime, thanks to a last-second shot by Bradford Burgess, to advance to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance. The Rams then upset the number one-seeded Kansas Jayhawks 71-61 to reach the Final Four for the first time in school history.
The Rams' journey to the Final Four began with one of the four opening round games, commonly called "play-in" games, which narrowed the field from 68 to 64 teams. Thus, the VCU Rams became the first team to advance from the "First Four" to the Final Four. The team is coached by Mike Rhoades, who was hired in 2017. He is the 12th coach in the program's history.
The VCU Rams women's basketball team is coached by Beth O'Boyle and enjoyed its most successful season in 2008-2009, finishing with a 26-7 record overall and a 15-3 conference record. The team was also perfect at home, with a 16-0 record.
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The men's basketball team is one of the university's most popular and successful programs
The VCU Rams men's basketball team represents Virginia Commonwealth University. The Rams are one of the university's most popular athletic programs, with students, alumni, and fans of all ages streaming into the Siegel Center to watch their games. The team has also enjoyed a great deal of success on the court.
The Rams have had 12 different head coaches in their history. Benny Dees was the first, coaching the team for its first two seasons and leading them to winning records in both. He was followed by Chuck Noe, who led the team for the next six seasons. The Rams' current coach is Phil Martelli Jr., who was preceded by Mike Rhoades. In his three seasons as coach, Anthony Grant posted an impressive 76–25 record. In his first year as head coach, Grant led the Rams to a school-record 28 wins, finishing the season 28–7.
The Rams have won twelve regular-season championships, including four from the Sun Belt, five from the CAA, and three in the Atlantic 10. They have also made it to the NCAA Final Four once in their history, in 2011. This was the first time the Rams had advanced beyond the second round of the tournament. Their journey to the Final Four began in one of the four opening-round games, commonly called "play-in" games, intended to narrow the field from 68 to 64 teams. Thus, the Rams became the first team to advance from the "First Four" to the Final Four.
In 2017, the Rams were ranked the 40th most valuable men's basketball program in the country by The Wall Street Journal, with a valuation of $56.9 million. That same year, the university completed a $25 million practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams, located on the north side of Marshall Street adjacent to the Siegel Center. The building is about 62,000 square feet and features courts, players' lounges, dining areas, coaches' offices, retail spaces, and a hall of fame.
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The women's basketball team is also successful, enjoying their best season in 2008-2009
The VCU Rams basketball team represents Virginia Commonwealth University. The Rams joined the Atlantic 10 Conference in the 2012-13 season, after previously competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
During that season, the VCU Rams women's team showcased their talent and determination, securing crucial wins and climbing up the rankings. The team's success was built on a foundation of strong defence, strategic offence, and a deep roster filled with talented players. The starting five were well-drilled and executed their game plan with precision, while the bench provided valuable depth and contributed to the team's success.
The 2008-2009 season was a landmark year for the VCU Rams women's basketball programme. They entered the season with high expectations and a talented roster. The team gelled quickly, finding a rhythm on the court that saw them go on an impressive winning streak. Their defence was stingy, holding opponents to low scores, while their offence was dynamic and versatile, with multiple players capable of stepping up and making big shots.
The Rams' success that season was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff. They established a strong culture and work ethic, which laid the foundation for their achievements. The team's accomplishments inspired a generation of young women athletes and left a lasting legacy on the VCU Rams women's basketball programme, setting a standard of excellence for future teams to aspire to.
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The Rams have three major rivals: Old Dominion, George Mason, and the University of Richmond
The VCU Rams men's basketball team represents Virginia Commonwealth University. The Rams have three major rivals: Old Dominion, George Mason, and the University of Richmond.
The rivalry with Old Dominion is a conference rivalry, with Old Dominion having won the CAA Championship in 2010 after defeating the Rams in the semifinals. The Rams have also faced off against George Mason in the CAA Conference tournament, winning by a 21-point margin—the largest in a CAA Conference tournament Championship Game. This victory sent the Rams to the NCAA tournament as an 11th seed.
The University of Richmond is a long-standing crosstown rival of the Rams. The two schools have competed annually in the Capital City Classic (formerly known as the Black & Blue Classic) for over 35 years. In the 1970s, their first six games were decided at the buzzer. The success of both basketball programs was highlighted in the 2011 NCAA tournament, where Richmond and VCU respectively reached the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four.
The Rams have had notable successes in the NCAA tournament, including a Cinderella run in 2011 that saw them reach the Final Four for the first time in their history. They defeated Florida State 72-71 in overtime to advance to the Elite Eight, and then upset the number one-seeded Kansas Jayhawks 71-61 to reach the Final Four. This achievement earned them a sixth-place ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, the highest ranking in VCU's history and the highest for any team from the CAA.
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Frequently asked questions
VCU Basketball is Virginia Commonwealth University's athletic team.
The school colours of VCU are black and gold.
VCU was founded in 1968 following the merger of the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute.
VCU's basketball teams are called the Rams.
The VCU Rams Men's Basketball team is widely regarded as one of the most popular and successful sports programs at the university. They have had notable achievements such as reaching the Final Four in the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and defeating Florida State in the 2017 NCAA Tournament to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time.
