RTD: Will Rams' future include another Final Four?

[RAMified]

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/co ... ar-947897/

"It's not a once-in-a-lifetime run," Smart said shortly after VCU lost 70-62 to Butler in the national semifinals Saturday in Houston. "We're going to try to do this every year. It's not easy, there's no question about it.

"In our program, we're going to continue to build. This is my second year. You know, we've got a lot of things that we still want to accomplish. This was a terrific run. Are we capable of doing it again? Sure. No question. If we're capable of coming together as a group and playing aggressive, confident, loose basketball, and we have the right guys out there, it's certainly possible."

VCU athletic director Norwood Teague said late Sunday afternoon that no school had asked permission to talk to Smart.

"They're all great players," Rozzell said. "They have a great future ahead of them. This also will attract more guys who are high-major players to come to mid-major programs like VCU.

"I wouldn't expect this to be the last time VCU makes it to [the Final Four]."

 

[VCU2011]

I could see this program making another Final Four down the road, Shaka Smart will take this experience of coaching in a Final four and apply it to future teams, telling them this is what it takes to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Recruiting will improve as well, they will be able to attract some more higher rated guys who will want to play Shaka Smart's exciting brand of basketball and want to be coached by a man who will have your back and will want to get to know you as a person.

 

[Pavarotti]

Yes.

 

[Sethjax]

Two and three years from now when this group of Freshmen are Juniors and Seniors I think you will see this experience pay off with another deep tournament run. We may not get there next year and that will be huge motivation for these guys who have received a taste of this joy and success and they'll want to get back there more than anything else.
Everything that we have wished for and hoped for as die hard fans...to see our program take the next step...is now right in front of us. We have arrived.

 

[VCUbusinessgrad]

Yes.

 

[VCU2011]

Two and three years from now when this group of Freshmen are Juniors and Seniors I think you will see this experience pay off with another deep tournament run. We may not get there next year and that will be huge motivation for these guys who have received a taste of this joy and success and they'll want to get back there more than anything else.
Everything that we have wished for and hoped for as die hard fans...to see our program take the next step...is now right in front of us. We have arrived.

Yep, its a great time to be a Rams fan! Will be exciting to see how this team develops and grows next season.

 

[mrghaffari]

Yes I definitely think we can, but I don't want to jinx or add pressure by expecting it! I would rather keep cheering and watching until the time may come!

Go VCU! Go RAMS Go!

 

[rammad90]

Yes I definitely think we can, but I don't want to jinx or add pressure by expecting it! I would rather keep cheering and watching until the time may come!

Go VCU! Go RAMS Go!

You all know I am one of those who have and continues to have high expectations for our program. I do believe that Shaka has a nucleus to build upon. Final four? Don't know but we will certainly make the sweet 16 before DJ, Juvonte, and Rob graduate. If we can add a shooter, and a solid pg, or if Theus and Daniels step up we might go to the 8 the year after next.

 

[VCUFTW]

Next year is going to be interesting as it will be slotted as a rebuilding year. However we are not exactly weak at any position other than the point. Darius really needs to step it up because its going to be his team.

As far as the tourney goes I can definitely see a sweet 16 or better in two years. We have a lot of very good freshman who have that taste of success now. Hopefully it translate in conference play as well

 

[VCUsummerof69]

We have a lot of very good freshman who have that taste of success now. Hopefully it translate in conference play as well

I really hope this is the case. The players stated a couple of times during the tourney run that they didn't get motivated enough to play certain teams in the CAA. I hope that with this tourney run they don't underestimate anyone next season

 

[VCU2011]

Next year is going to be interesting as it will be slotted as a rebuilding year. However we are not exactly weak at any position other than the point. Darius really needs to step it up because its going to be his team.

As far as the tourney goes I can definitely see a sweet 16 or better in two years. We have a lot of very good freshman who have that taste of success now. Hopefully it translate in conference play as well

Yeah, CAA should be pretty solid at the top with George Mason & Drexel being contenders next year, would not count out Old Dominion either though they wlil have to reload after losing key players from this seasons team.

 

[vcubanana]

Next year is going to be interesting as it will be slotted as a rebuilding year. However we are not exactly weak at any position other than the point. Darius really needs to step it up because its going to be his team.

As far as the tourney goes I can definitely see a sweet 16 or better in two years. We have a lot of very good freshman who have that taste of success now. Hopefully it translate in conference play as well

Yeah, CAA should be pretty solid at the top with George Mason & Drexel being contenders next year, would not count out Old Dominion either though they wlil have to reload after losing key players from this seasons team.

JMU will also be good, they will take a hit, but can still compete for a top 5 spot IMO.

 

[VCU2011]

Next year is going to be interesting as it will be slotted as a rebuilding year. However we are not exactly weak at any position other than the point. Darius really needs to step it up because its going to be his team.

As far as the tourney goes I can definitely see a sweet 16 or better in two years. We have a lot of very good freshman who have that taste of success now. Hopefully it translate in conference play as well

Yeah, CAA should be pretty solid at the top with George Mason & Drexel being contenders next year, would not count out Old Dominion either though they wlil have to reload after losing key players from this seasons team.

JMU will also be good, they will take a hit, but can still compete for a top 5 spot IMO.

I agree, they should be a solid contender next season as well. Where do you see VCU fitting in he conference standings for next season?

 

[VCU Finance 2008]

I agree, they should be a solid contender next season as well. Where do you see VCU fitting in he conference standings for next season?

I would expect us to be in the top 4 once again along with ODU, GMU, and Drexel. JMU might fight for a spot as well, but in situations like that I tend to go with the teams that have gotten it done before as long as they aren't losing absolutely everything. W&M could be in the top half as well, and who knows what Buzz "Selling Out Arenas Up and Down The East Coast" Peterson could do with all of his young talent. I don't think there will be any surprises in the top 4 however.

 

[vcubanana]

I agree, they should be a solid contender next season as well. Where do you see VCU fitting in he conference standings for next season?

Anything outside of the top 4 is going to be tough to swallow. Sure we lose 4 seniors but we have just given our coach a lot of cash. We're going to have a competitive OOC so we'll get some bumps and bruises along the way but continue to mature. Gotta improve in conference. I'm hoping for a top 3 finish.