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

Schedule breakdown

Speaking of their schedule, the Rams have the opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the country very early on.

LSU, the reigning SEC champs led by former VCU coach Will Wade, will visit the Siegel Center on November 13. Later in the month, VCU will take part in the Emerald Coast Classic, where they will play Purdue and then either Tennessee or Florida State.

The opportunity to face three NCAA Tournament teams from power conferences in the opening month is a big one for the Rams when it comes to gaining national respect, and they’re not shying away from the challenge. As Vann told me, those are games this team expects to win.

"“Those are the kind of games we go into fully expecting to win. We don’t view it as a Power 5 vs. mid-major. Every time we step on the court, we have the confidence to step in and compete no matter who we’re playing.”"

December brings another contest against a team that played in the 2019 NCAA Tournament in Old Dominion, and the Rams will have another high-profile nationally televised game against Wichita State prior to conference play.

Once A-10 games do get underway, Davidson and Dayton are expected to be VCU’s toughest competition in what could be a three-bid year for the conference.

So, all-in-all, the Rams have a great chance to put together the kind of resume that will keep them ranked all season long. With their defense and experience, I’d expect them to make the most of their opportunities.