NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23 season

6. VCU Rams

2021-22 record: 22-10 (14-4 in Atlantic 10)

Despite dealing a ton of preseason injuries, VCU once again managed another top spot in the A-10 last season. And while they lose multiple key pieces such as leading scorer Vince Williams and all-league defender Hason Ward, the team has a couple of breakout players to lead this current roster.

Ace Baldwin, who was injured coming into last year, averaged 11.4 ppg and 5.5 apg and became one of the top two-way point guards in the country. He’s an outstanding defender and underrated scorer as well and will be 100% to enter the 2022-23 campaign. And alongside him is Jayden Nunn, a 6’4 guard who as a freshman, produced 8.6 ppg and certainly will be a breakout candidate.

In the frontcourt, VCU will get back Jamir Watkins, a 6’7 forward who missed all of last season with an injury. He’s another good defender and has double-digit scoring potential himself. Jalen Deloach also is back for his sophomore year, while three-star prospect Christian Fermin is a freshman to watch. The Rams also bring in a pair of transfers from Michigan in Zeb Jackson and Brandon Johns Jr., who could break out at the A-10 level and add some offensive firepower.

As long as the defense remains top-notch, VCU will be in the conversation for another at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament. The backcourt will provide most of the scoring and while losing Ward hurts them defensively, it could be offset by the increased offensive production from the current cast inside.