The Will Wade era will start with a bang as the black and gold have once again assembled a challenging and exciting schedule for Ram fans, starting with an early season 2K Classic tournament at Madison Square Garden against the defending national champs. Below is a 140 character or less snapshot of what you can expect from next season’s schedule. Plan accordingly.
NON-CONFERENCE (2014-15 record, RPI)
Nov. 13 PRARIE VIEW A&M (15-18, 260) – One of those early-season warmup type of games. Panthers lose key pieces from already bad team.
Nov 16 RADFORD (22-12, 154) – Former Assistant Mike Jones makes return to Stu. Without top-2 scorers will have a big challenge against VCU.
Nov 20 DUKE (Madison Square Garden) – (29-4, 6) – Defending national champs lose top-four scorers but reload with a new batch of highly-rated freshmen. Offense has been dominant since 2009.
Nov 22 GEORGETOWN/WISCONSIN* (Madison Square Garden) – National title runner-up Badgers or talented Hoyas. Either will be a big test for VCU at MSG.
Nov 25 AMERICAN (17-16, 136) – Warning: Trap game against a team who beat a La Salle team on the road that beat VCU at home last year.
Nov 28 OLD DOMINION (27-8, 46) – Experienced Monarchs look for consecutive wins over VCU in return game at Siegel Center. All-around HUGE game.
Dec 2 @ MIDDLE TENNESSEE (19-17, 139) – Rebuilt Blue Raiders advance to CUSA title game, eliminating ODU along the way. Tough road game for the Rams.
Dec 6 FLORIDA STATE (Atlanta, GA) (17-16, 110) – 11th-ranked recruiting class hopes to help FSU back to NCAA tourney. Turnover prone last season.
Dec 15 @ GEORGIA TECH (12-19, 153) – Solid D, terrible offense but did boast win over Rhody. Scored 28 points against UVA…ouch.
Dec 19 CINCINNATI (23-11, 37) – 21-point home loss to VCU last year but returns everyone from very good defensive squad. A highlight of home schedule.
Dec 22 BUFFALO (23-10, 28) – Huge home test for VCU against highly underrated Bulls squad who return tons of talent despite losing coach Bobby Hurley.
Dec 27 LIBERTY (8-24, 347) – This will be a bloodbath…one that Rams fans will really enjoy. Come for the dunks, stay for the subs.
Dec 30 NORTH FLORIDA (23-12, 162) – A-Sun champs lost in NCAA play-in game between 16s in Dayton. Experienced, high-scoring and dangerous. Don’t sleep.
ATLANTIC 10
DAVIDSON (24-8, 35) – Graduate one player from A-10 regular season champs team. Offense galore, will be deadly next season.
DAYTON (27-9, 32) – Losing talented guard Sibert but add more depth than last year’s 7-man roster. A-10 Preseason favorite?
RHODE ISLAND (23-10, 66) – Add talent and needs to top-tier A-10 squad. Will fight for title and should be NCAA tourney squad.
RICHMOND (21-14, 56) – Beat VCU twice in regular season and are being slept on by media already. Allen + Cline are a deadly frountcourt.
GEORGE WASHINGTON (22-13, 84) – Talented pieces, yes, but seem to lack killer instinct. Trending among A-10 media but I have doubts.
ST. BONAVENTURE (18-13, 121) – Wright and Posley as talented as a duo you’ll find but without Ndoye could be mid-tier A-10 team.
UMASS (17-15, 81) – Expect the downward trend to continue from this Minutemen team that appeared on up-and-up two seasons ago.
LA SALLE (17-16, 101) – Lose too much talent in front court to not take a step back. Guard-dominated Explorers could struggle.
SAINT JOSEPH’S (13-18, 178) – DeAndre Bembry is insanely good but I still don’t see where the help comes from. Meh.
DUQUESNE (12-19, 223) – Were a different team at home than on the road last season. Play VCU at the Stu this year.
FORDHAM (10-21, 238) – Looked to be on the rise then fired their coach and saw best player transfer. Back to the drawing board.
GEORGE MASON (9-22, 222) – Dave Paulsen should turn things around expect the Patriots to be a trap game for all A-10 next season.
SAINT LOUIS (11-21, 272) – Took Rams to the brink at SLU last season with rebuilding squad. Should improve some.