Busting Brackets
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VCU Basketball: Rams may be nation’s best mid-major team in 2019-20

By Brian Rauf

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Fans in the Virginia Commonwealth Rams student section cheer before the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship against the Butler Bulldogs at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Fans in the Virginia Commonwealth Rams student section cheer before the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship against the Butler Bulldogs at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Issac Vann #23 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts against the UCF Knights in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Issac Vann #23 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts against the UCF Knights in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Continuity & Defense

With all five starters back in the fold, the Rams have the luxury of continuity going into the new season. There hasn’t been a step back – they have been able to continue building on last season’s success.

Marcus Evans, De’Riante Jenkins, Vann, Corey Douglas, and Marcus Santos-Silva give VCU one of the most versatile lineups in the country, which allows them to play that “HAVOC” pressure defense Shaka Smart made so popular during his time there. Rhoades has brought it back, and it has played the biggest role in their success.

The Rams ranked in the top 10 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency (7th), turnover rate (8th), three-point defense (2nd), and effective field goal percentage defense (3rd) a season ago because of how effective their pressure was.

Jenkins, Vann, Douglas, and Santos-Silva are all in the 6-5 to 6-8 range, allowing them to aggressively switch without necessarily sacrificing a mismatch anywhere on the court. Evans is the smallest starter at 6-2, yet he led them in steals (1.9 per game).

A number of quality bench players return as well, led by seniors Malik Crowfield and Mike’L Simms along with sophomores Vince Williams and KeShawn Curry.

VCU is also welcoming in an influx of talent with the second-best recruiting class in the A-10. Four-star guard Nah’shon Hyland, the No. 81 overall recruit in the country according to the 247sports Composite, headlines that group. He has drawn high praise from his teammates already and is expected to play a major role for the Rams off the bench. 6-9 center Hason Ward should see some time as well.

Rhoades said mixing those young players into an already-established rotation has been the “toughest thing right now,” but those players have the athleticism and skills to be excellent fits in VCU’s system.

With their experience and that new talent, the Rams should be even better on the defensive end – and everywhere else on the court – which is a scary thought for the teams on their schedule.