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VCU Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Rams

By Richard Gnann

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Virginia Commonwealth Rams mascot performs the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Virginia Commonwealth Rams mascot performs the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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A VCU Rams cheerleader (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Transfers

Issac Vann will join Tillman on the front line. The transfer shot 41% from behind the three-point arc for Maine in 2016 and scored 16 points a game to lead the team. He is a slasher that spends significant time at the free throw line. In the Rams’ two exhibition games, Vann averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Vann will play a key role for the Rams.

Longwood University (Virginia) graduate transfer Khris Lane has one-year eligibility. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound forward began his college career at Drexel. He played little his freshman year. In two seasons at Longwood University, Lane averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 53 percent. Last year, he led the team with 17 points and 7 rebounds per game as a redshirt junior.

Mike’l Simms joins the Rams after two seasons at Cowley Community College (Kansas). He averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal a game in 2016-2017. Another, Richmond native, he earned second team all-conference and all-region honors in 16-17.

Simms averaged over 25 points-per-game in Cowley’s final eight contests. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder can score on all three levels, and has averaged 5 points and 6 rebounds in the Rams’ first two preseason exhibitions.

Xavier Jackson is a transfer from Sheridan Junior College (Wyoming) where he led the team in scoring with 14 points a game while claiming 7 rebounds.

Freshman

Forwards Sean Mobley, Lewis Djonkam, and Marcus Santos-Silva join guard Tyler Maye to make up the 2017 VCU basketball recruiting class.

On paper,  the freshman class brings little help. Opportunities do abound at VCU in 2017-2018, and each freshman will have an opportunity to make a difference.