Busting Brackets
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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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Fans of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Fans of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Schedule

VCU basketball fans circled the game against Texas months ago. It will be the first return visit of highly successful and much beloved former VCU head coach Shaka Smart to the Siegel Center.

No doubt, the VCU faithful will respond with an outpouring of affection followed by an all-out 40-minute effort by players, coaches and fans to send Smart back to Austin with a loss.

The Rams also face Virginia and Seton Hall at home. They will play Marquette and either Wichita State or Cal in the Maui Invitational.

Outlook

First-year VCU basketball head coach Mike Rhoades faced a worst-case scenario last spring, inheriting a four-man roster and a program needing stable leadership. He addressed the talent needs with several quality transfers and the leadership needs with coaches familiar with VCU basketball traditions, his philosophy, and his style.

Pundits responded favorably to Rhoades off-season work, consistently predicting a VCU finish near the top of the Atlantic 10.

However, the schedule is challenging. Feeding the Rams NCAA Tournament habit requires beating at least two teams from the group of Virginia, Texas, Marquette, Wichita State, Cal, or Seton Hall. That is a tall order for a team led by a new staff and a roster that includes eight new players.

Next: Tennessee Basketball 2017-2018 Preview

The Rams will finish above .500. If they make the NCAA Tournament, Rhoades is the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. This is a tough roster coming in but the Rams have the reputation of always making things happen.