<a href="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/jtt_0142.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-8675" title="jtt_0142" src="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/jtt_0142.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="453" /></a>The first coaches poll of the preseason was released today and after much off season hype, the Rams find themselves just outside of this year's rankings.
VCU's 2011 season ended in heartbreak as a three-point lead vanished in the final 46 seconds of last season's round of 32 against this year's top team, the Indiana Hoosiers. But even with a returning team that includes all but one player from last season's 9th-youngest team in the country that took this year's No.1 to the brink, VCU will have to earn their way into this year's top-25 coaches poll rankings.
Below is the recently released first coaches poll with last season's record and final game result.
1. Indiana (21) (27-9, Sweet 16 loser to Kentucky)
2. Louisville (5) (30-10, Final 4 loser to Kentucky)
3. Kentucky (5) (37-2, National Champ)
4. Ohio State (31-8, Final 4 loser to Kansas)
5. Michigan (24-10, Round of 64 loser to Ohio)
6. NC State (24-13, Sweet 16 loser to Kansas)
7. Kansas (32-6, National Runner-Up)
8. Duke (27-7, Round of 64 loser to Lehigh)
9. Syracuse (34-3, Elite 8 loser to Ohio State)
10. Florida (26-11, Elite 8 loser to Louisville)
11. Arizona (23-12, 1st round NIT loser to Bucknell)
12. UNC (32-6, Elite 8 loser to Kansas)
13. UCLA (19-14, No postseason)
14. Michigan State (29-8, Sweet 16 loser to Louisville)
15. Creighton (29-6, Round of 32 loser to UNC)
16. Memphis (26-9, Round of 64 loser to St. Louis)
17. Missouri (30-5, Round of 64 loser to Norfolk St)
18. Baylor (30-8, Elite 8 loser to Kentucky)
19. UNLV (26-9, Round of 64 loser to Colorado)
20. San Diego State (26-8, Round of 64 loser to NC State)
21. Wisconsin (26-10, Sweet 16 loser to Syracuse)
22. Gonzaga (26-7, Round of 32 loser to Ohio State)
23. Notre Dame (22-12, Round of 64 loser to Xavier)
t24. Florida State (25-10, Round of 32 loser to Cincinnati)
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">t24. Texas (20-14, Round of 64 loser to Cincinnati)</span>
26. St. Louis (26-8, Round of 32 loser to Michigan State)
27. VCU (29-7, Round of 32 loser to Indiana)
VCU's 2011 season ended in heartbreak as a three-point lead vanished in the final 46 seconds of last season's round of 32 against this year's top team, the Indiana Hoosiers. But even with a returning team that includes all but one player from last season's 9th-youngest team in the country that took this year's No.1 to the brink, VCU will have to earn their way into this year's top-25 coaches poll rankings.
Below is the recently released first coaches poll with last season's record and final game result.
1. Indiana (21) (27-9, Sweet 16 loser to Kentucky)
2. Louisville (5) (30-10, Final 4 loser to Kentucky)
3. Kentucky (5) (37-2, National Champ)
4. Ohio State (31-8, Final 4 loser to Kansas)
5. Michigan (24-10, Round of 64 loser to Ohio)
6. NC State (24-13, Sweet 16 loser to Kansas)
7. Kansas (32-6, National Runner-Up)
8. Duke (27-7, Round of 64 loser to Lehigh)
9. Syracuse (34-3, Elite 8 loser to Ohio State)
10. Florida (26-11, Elite 8 loser to Louisville)
11. Arizona (23-12, 1st round NIT loser to Bucknell)
12. UNC (32-6, Elite 8 loser to Kansas)
13. UCLA (19-14, No postseason)
14. Michigan State (29-8, Sweet 16 loser to Louisville)
15. Creighton (29-6, Round of 32 loser to UNC)
16. Memphis (26-9, Round of 64 loser to St. Louis)
17. Missouri (30-5, Round of 64 loser to Norfolk St)
18. Baylor (30-8, Elite 8 loser to Kentucky)
19. UNLV (26-9, Round of 64 loser to Colorado)
20. San Diego State (26-8, Round of 64 loser to NC State)
21. Wisconsin (26-10, Sweet 16 loser to Syracuse)
22. Gonzaga (26-7, Round of 32 loser to Ohio State)
23. Notre Dame (22-12, Round of 64 loser to Xavier)
t24. Florida State (25-10, Round of 32 loser to Cincinnati)
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">t24. Texas (20-14, Round of 64 loser to Cincinnati)</span>
26. St. Louis (26-8, Round of 32 loser to Michigan State)
27. VCU (29-7, Round of 32 loser to Indiana)
