VCU Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Rams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 15: De'Riante Jenkins #0 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams celebrates a basket against the Rhode Island Rams during their Atlantic 10 basketball tournament quarterfinal game at Barclays Center on March 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

1 of 7

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: The Rams mascot performs. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

VCU basketball projects as one of the best mid-major teams in the country this season. How will the Rams live up to the hype as a potential top-25 team?

VCU basketball was one of the nation’s more surprising teams last year. Despite being picked to finish just seventh in the Atlantic 10, the Rams ran through conference play to take home the regular-season title with a 25-8 (16-2 A10) record. This resulted in the squad landing a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Looking ahead to this coming campaign, expectations are sky-high for the Rams. They return a ton of talent from this past season and also bring in an exciting group of freshmen. Head coach Mike Rhoades has now proven his ability on the sidelines and there is plenty of buzz surrounding this team.

“Havoc” is back in Richmond and that aggressive mentality and desire led to a national top-10 finish in adjusted defensive efficiency a season ago. It is clear that Coach Rhoades has built a roster capable of thriving in his scheme and it is reasonable to assume that the Rams will deploy an elite-level defense again this time around. With eight key rotation pieces returning from last season, continuity will also play a factor in keeping this defense operating at a superb level while it is also possible to project an offensive improvement.

VCU is the clear-cut preseason favorite to win the Atlantic 10 this season behind their tremendous defense and underrated offensive firepower. Diving a bit deeper, though, the Rams have the potential to be more than just a mid-major regular-season champion this season. Considering VCU’s talent and tremendous defense, it is reasonable to think that the team might just be a darkhorse threat for a Final Four run this season.

That might seem like a bold prediction, but let’s take a more in-depth look at VCU’s potential for the 2019-20 campaign. This season preview will analyze the Rams’ starters, reserves, storylines to watch, schedule, and overall outlook.