2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball
ConferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
Record18–15 (9–9 A-10)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaStuart C. Siegel Center
2017–18 Atlantic 10 men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Rhode Island15–3 .83326–8  .765
St. Bonaventure14–4 .77826–8  .765
Davidson †13–5 .72221–12  .636
Saint Joseph's10–8 .55616–16  .500
VCU9–9 .50018–15  .545
Saint Louis9–9 .50017–16  .515
George Mason9–9 .50016–17  .485
Richmond9–9 .50012–20  .375
Dayton8–10 .44414–17  .452
Duquesne7–11 .38916–16  .500
George Washington7–11 .38915–18  .455
La Salle7–11 .38913–19  .406
Massachusetts5–13 .27813–20  .394
Fordham4–14 .2229–22  .290
† 2018 A10 Tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

The 2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Rams were led by Mike Rhoades in his first season as head coach at VCU. The Rams played their home games at Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

A chain of lost recruiting classes, coaching personnel changes, losses against low RPI teams, no wins against Top 50 RPI teams, and a graduating core of players resulted in a downturn in the team's fortunes. The team finished the season 18–15, 9–9 record in A-10 play to finish in a four-way tie for fifth place. The season was the 18th consecutive season the program finished with a winning record. As the No. 8 seed in the A-10 tournament, the Rams defeated Dayton in the second round[1] before losing to Rhode Island in the quarterfinals.[2]

The Rams failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010, and failed to achieve a 20-win season for the first time since 2006. On March 11, 2018, Ed McLaughlin, the Athletics Director announced that VCU had declined an invitation to play in the College Basketball Invitational tournament.[3] This marked the first season since 2006 the Rams did not play in a postseason tournament.[4]

Previous season

The Rams finished the 2016–17 season 26–9, 14–4 in A-10 play to finish in second place. VCU defeated George Mason and Richmond in the A-10 tournament to advance to the championship game, where they lost to Rhode Island. They earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West Region. There they lost to No. 7 Saint Mary's in the first round.

Head coach Will Wade resigned on March 20 to take the head coaching position at LSU following the firing of Johnny Jones.[5] Wade was the head coach for the two seasons, making him VCU's shortest tenured head coach since Benny Dees.[6][7] On March 21, the school hired Rice head coach Mike Rhoades, who had been the associate head coach under Shaka Smart from 2009 to 2014.[8]

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
JeQuan Lewis1G6'1"180SeniorDickson, TennesseeGraduated
Samir Doughty2G6'4"185Freshman (redshirt)Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaTransferred to Auburn[9]
Doug Brooks5G6'4"200SeniorLake Wales, FloridaGraduated
Mo Alie-Cox12F6'7"250Senior (redshirt)Alexandria, VirginiaGraduated
Torey Burston14G5'8"180Senior (redshirt)Richmond, VirginiaGraduated
Marquell Fraser15G6'5"205FreshmanHamilton, OntarioTransferred to Midland College[10]
Jordan Burgess20G/F6'5"225Senior (redshirt)Midlothian, VirginiaGraduated
Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed23F6'9"240SeniorAlexandria, EgyptTransferred to TCU[11]

Transfers

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Marcus Evans2G6'2"195SophomoreChesapeake, VirginiaTransferred from Rice. Will be eligible to play in 2018–19.[12]
Khris Lane4F6'6"225RS-SeniorRichmond, VirginiaTransferred from Longwood.[13]
Mike'l Simms 13 G 6'5 220 Freshman Highland Springs, Virginia Transferred from Cowley Community College.[14]
Xavier Jackson 14 G 6'3 Sophomore Hinesville, Georgia Transferred from Sheridan College.[15]
Corey Douglas F 6'8" Sophomore Louisville, Kentucky Will attend Tallahassee Community College for the 2017–18 season and will then transfer to VCU. Spent the 2016–17 season at Rice.[16]

2017 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Marcus Santos-Silva
PF		 Taunton, MA Vermont Academy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Sep 21, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 73
Sean Mobley
PF		 Melbourne, FL Montverde Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sep 25, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 80
Lewis Djonkam
PF		 Springfield, VA Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Apr 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: N/A
Tyler Maye
PG		 Farmville, NC Farmville Central High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) May 11, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "VCU 2017 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.

2018 Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
P. J. Byrd
PG		 Houston, TX George Bush High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 169 lb (77 kg) Sep 6, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: NR
KeShawn Curry
SG		 Jacksonville, FL Fork Union Military Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Oct 2, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: NR
Vince Williams Jr.
SF		 Toledo, OH St. John's Jesuit 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 204 lb (93 kg) Oct 4, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Roster

2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G 0 De'Riante Jenkins 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoHargrave Military Academy Eutawville, South Carolina
G 1 Mike'l Simms 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS SoCowley Community College Richmond, Virginia
G 2 Marcus Evans (I) Current redshirt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoRice Chesapeake, Virginia
F 4 Justin Tillman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) SrPershing High School Detroit, Michigan
F 5 Sean Mobley 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg) FrMontverde Academy Melbourne, Florida
G 10 Jonathan Williams 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 lb (91 kg) SrSt. Benedict's Prep Richmond, Virginia
F 11 Issac Vann 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS SoMaine Bridgeport, Connecticut
G 12 Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrSt. Francis Prep (Michigan) Lake Havasu City, Arizona
G 13 Malik Crowfield 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoRiverside Academy LaPlace, Louisiana
F 14 Marcus Santos-Silva 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)255 lb (116 kg) FrVermont Academy Taunton, Massachusetts
G 15 Xavier Jackson 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrSheridan College Hinesville, Georgia
F 21 Khris Lane 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)245 lb (111 kg) RS SrLongwood Richmond, Virginia
F 22 Lewis Djonkam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)245 lb (111 kg) FrHargrave Military Academy Springfield, Virginia
G 25 Tyler Maye 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg) FrFarmville Central High School Farmville, North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster

Preseason

In a poll of the league's head coaches and select media members at the conference's media day, the Rams were picked to finish in fourth place in the A-10.[17] Justin Tillman was named to the conference's preseason first team.[17] Tillman and Jonathan Williams were named to the preseason All-Defensive team.[17]

Schedule and results

Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
Oct 26, 2017*
7:00 pm		 Liberty
Hurricane Relief Exhibition		 L 69–85  N/A
  14 – Crowfield  6 – Vann  5 – Williams  Siegel Center (3,497)
Richmond, VA
Nov 3, 2017*
7:00 pm		 Virginia Union W 98–74  N/A
  21 – Lane  8 – Lane  6 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Non-conference regular season
Nov 10, 2017*
7:00 pm, MASN		 Grambling State W 94–65  1–0
  14 – 3 Tied  10 – Tillman  5 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Nov 13, 2017*
7:00 pm, MASN		 North Florida
Maui Invitational Mainland game		 W 95–85  2–0
  27 – Tillman  8 – Tied  8 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Nov 17, 2017*
4:00 pm, CBSSN		 Virginia L 67–76  2–1
  19 – Vann  8 – Tillman  8 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Nov 20, 2017*
2:30 pm, ESPN2		 vs. Marquette
Maui Invitational Tournament quarterfinals		 L 83–94  2–2
  17 – Crowfield  7 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
Lahaina, HI
Nov 21, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 vs. California
Maui Invitational Tournament consolation 2nd round		 W 83–69  3–2
  27 – Jenkins  11 – Jenkins  8 – Williams  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
Lahaina, HI
Nov 22, 2017*
5:00 pm, ESPN2		 vs. Michigan
Maui Invitational Tournament 5th place game		 L 60–68  3–3
  13 – Lane  8 – Lane  2 – Tied  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
Lahaina, HI
Nov 28, 2017*
7:00 pm, MASN		 Appalachian State W 85–72  4–3
  21 – Tillman  6 – Tied  7 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Dec 2, 2017*
7:00 pm, MASN		 Old Dominion
Rivalry		 W 82–75  5–3
  28 – Tillman  9 – Santos-Silva  9 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Dec 5, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 Texas L 67–71  5–4
  22 – Tillman  10 – Tillman  7 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Dec 9, 2017*
3:00 pm, FOX		 at No. 19 Seton Hall
Never Forget Tribute Classic		 L 67–90  5–5
  20 – Tillman  8 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Prudential Center (9,112)
Newark, NJ
Dec 16, 2017*
6:00 pm, WTVR		 Bucknell W 85–79  6–5
  26 – Tillman  7 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Dec 19, 2017*
7:00 pm, MASN		 Winthrop W 68–53  7–5
  22 – Tillman  11 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Dec 22, 2017*
7:00 pm, WTVR		 VMI W 75–65  8–5
  19 – Tillman  13 – Tillman  9 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Atlantic 10 regular season
Dec 30, 2017
12:30 pm, NBCSN		 Fordham W 76–63  9–5
(1–0)		  23 – Tillman  14 – Tillman  5 – Vann  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Jan 3, 2018
7:00 pm		 at Saint Joseph's L 81–87 OT 9–6
(1–1)		  22 – Tillman  12 – Tillman  5 – Jenkins  Hagan Arena (3,518)
Philadelphia, PA
Jan 6, 2018
2:00 pm, NBCSN		 at La Salle W 80–74  10–6
(2–1)		  20 – Jenkins  10 – Tillman  5 – Williams  Tom Gola Arena (2,312)
Philadelphia, PA
Jan 9, 2018
8:00 pm, Stadium		 Duquesne W 78–67  11–6
(3–1)		  21 – Williams  17 – Tillman  4 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Jan 12, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 at Dayton L 79–106  11–7
(3–2)		  26 – Tillman  12 – Tillman  6 – Jenkins  UD Arena (12,507)
Dayton, OH
Jan 17, 2018
7:00 pm		 Richmond
Capital City Classic		 L 52–67  11–8
(3–3)		  12 – Tillman  9 – Tillman  2 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Jan 20, 2018
12:30 pm, NBCSN		 George Washington W 87–63  12–8
(4–3)		  18 – Jenkins  8 – Tillman  4 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Jan 23, 2018
9:00 pm, CBSSN		 at Saint Louis W 75–74 OT 13–8
(5–3)		  25 – Tillman  12 – Tillman  5 – Williams  Chaifetz Arena (5,649)
St. Louis, MO
Jan 27, 2018
2:00 pm, CBSSN		 at George Mason
Rivalry		 W 84–76  14–8
(6–3)		  25 – Lane  12 – Lane  6 – Williams  EagleBank Arena (7,028)
Fairfax, VA
Feb 2, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 22 Rhode Island L 68–81  14–9
(6–4)		  22 – Tillman  6 – Tillman  4 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Feb 7, 2018
9:00 pm, CBSSN		 at Richmond
Capital City Classic		 L 76–77  14–10
(6–5)		  21 – Tillman  4 – Lane  4 – Jenkins  Robins Center (7,201)
Richmond, VA
Feb 10, 2018
6:00 pm, CBSSN		 Dayton W 88–84 OT 15–10
(7–5)		  37 – Tillman  8 – Tillman  5 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Feb 14, 2018
7:00 pm, CBSSN		 Davidson L 63–74  15–11
(7–6)		  22 – Tillman  8 – Tillman  7 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Feb 17, 2018
4:00 pm, Stadium		 at George Washington L 56–80  15–12
(7–7)		  11 – Tillman  13 – Tillman  4 – Williams  Charles E. Smith Center (3,979)
Washington, D.C.
Feb 21, 2018
7:00 pm, MASN		 at Massachusetts W 82–78  16–12
(8–7)		  26 – Tillman  13 – Tillman  7 – Mobley  Mullins Center (3,322)
Amherst, MA
Feb 24, 2018
8:00 pm, CBSSN		 St. Bonaventure L 63–68  16–13
(8–8)		  20 – Tillman  10 – Tillman  7 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Feb 28, 2018
7:00 pm, MASN		 George Mason
Rivalry		 L 80–81  16–14
(8–9)		  20 – Simms  11 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
Richmond, VA
Mar 3, 2018
2:00 pm, WTVR		 at Fordham W 83–58  17–14
(9–9)		  18 – Tillman  13 – Tillman  4 – Crowfield  Rose Hill Gymnasium (2,325)
Bronx, NY
Atlantic 10 tournament
Mar 8, 2018
12:00 pm, NBCSN		 (8) vs. (9) Dayton
Second Round		 W 77–72  18–14
  15 – Tillman  10 – Tillman  5 – Tied  Capital One Arena (6,483)
Washington, D.C.
Mar 9, 2018
12:00 pm, NBCSN		 (8) vs. (1) No. 25 Rhode Island
Quarterfinals		 L 67–76  18–15
  23 – Tillman  15 – Tillman  7 – Williams  Capital One Arena (7,321)
Washington, D.C.
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

References

  1. ↑ "Dayton vs. VCU - Game Recap - March 8, 2018 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. ↑ "VCU vs. Rhode Island - Game Recap - March 9, 2018 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Health top factor in VCU's decision to pass on postseason". Richmond Times-Dispatch. richmond.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  4. ↑ Epps, Jr., Wayne (March 11, 2018). "For the first time in 11 years, VCU won't play postseason basketball". Richmond Times-Dispatch. richmond.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  5. ↑ "VCU's Will Wade hired as next coach at LSU". ESPN. espn.com. March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Benny Dees Coaching Record". Sports Reference. sports-reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ Parrish, Gary. "LSU hires VCU's Will Wade as coach". CBS Sports. CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ "VCU moves quickly to hire Mike Rhoades from Rice to fill coaching vacancy". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  9. ↑ "VCU transfer Samir Doughty officially signs with Auburn". AL.com. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  10. ↑ Young, Tai (June 30, 2017). "Former VCU F Marquell Fraser is transferring to Midland". @TaiYoungVC. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Ahmed Hamdy signs with TCU hoops as grad transfer from VCU". Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  12. ↑ Times-Dispatch, TIM PEARRELL Richmond. "High-scoring guard Marcus Evans follows Mike Rhoades to VCU". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  13. ↑ Times-Dispatch, Tim Pearrell Richmond. "Longwood basketball graduate Khris Lane transferring to VCU". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  14. ↑ Morton, Matt (June 2, 2017). "JUCO transfer Mike'l Simms commits to VCU – VCU Ram Nation". VCU Ram Nation. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  15. ↑ Shelton-Eide, Mat (July 7, 2017). "VCU gets commitment from JUCO guard Xavier Jackson – VCU Ram Nation". VCU Ram Nation. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  16. ↑ Shelton-Eide, Mat (June 18, 2017). "Corey Douglas commits to VCU – VCU Ram Nation". VCU Ram Nation. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  17. 1 2 3 "Rhode Island Picked to Win A-10 Men's Basketball". Atlantic 10 Conference. Atlantic10.com. October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
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