Busting Brackets
Fansided

VCU Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Rams to beat Wichita State Shockers

By Bryan Mauro

RICHMOND, VA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Rhoades of the VCU Rams calls a play in the first half during a game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Stuart C. Siegel Center on December 7, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Rhoades of the VCU Rams calls a play in the first half during a game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Stuart C. Siegel Center on December 7, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
RICHMOND, VA – DECEMBER 07: Marcus Evans #2 of the VCU Rams (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – DECEMBER 07: Marcus Evans #2 of the VCU Rams (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

VCU Basketball has been the class of the Atlantic 10 or a handful of years. They are traveling to the Midwest to take on another top-tier program from the American. How can the Rams win the game?

The Atlantic 10 has shown well throughout the early part of the non-conference season. The conference is experiencing a huge bounce-back year and is currently on pace to potentially receive multiple bids in the NCAA tournament. Two of those teams may receive very high seeds. VCU Basketball is one of the teams that are currently on pace to receive one of those at large bids. The Rams have a roster and schedule that can carry them to a higher seed. Dayton is the other team that looks to receive a very high seed in the NCAA tournament.

Mike Rhoades is the current coach at VCU taking over for former coach Will Wade, who took over for former coach Shaka Smart. The Ram program has not faltered much even with the turnover from their three head men. All three coaches have prided themselves on the same thing defense. This year’s version of the Rams is only allowing 61 points per game through 10 contests.

The Rams are bringing their non-conference slate to a close with a crucial matchup against one of the better programs in the country. The Wichita State Shockers, out of the American Conference, have been trending upward under head coach Gregg Marshall. Every single year the Shockers finish near the top of their conference.

Related Story. Latest Busting Brackets podcast. light

VCU is going to be finishing out the second game of consecutive road games. The road games are the first true road games of the year for the Rams. VCU has played two neutral site games.  With their win over Charleston, the first road hurdle was passed.

The game against Wichita State is going to be a much tougher test than the game against Charleston. Wichita State plays in one of the nation’s most hostile environments, which makes the Koch Center one of the tougher arenas to play in. How is VCU going to escape with a win? If they do these three things, it will go a long way in ensuring the Rams leave Kansas with a victory.