VCU was widely regarded as the team to beat in the Atlantic 10 Conference coming into the 2024-25 season. In the A-10 preseason poll, VCU sat atop with 14 first-place votes, more than doubling the next closest team, Dayton, who received only six.
VCU has undoubtedly fulfilled this prediction as it clinched the top seed in the A-10 and won a share of the regular-season title, securing a two-round bye. The Rams finished the season winning nine of their last 10 and a remarkable 15-1 record at home, with their one home loss coming against Dayton in their season finale. VCU finished with a 25-6 record overall and 15-3 in the conference.
The Saint Louis Billikens handed VCU its last away loss on Jan. 28. The Rams took this loss in stride and bounced back even stronger, however.
VCU went undefeated in February with eight wins. During this stretch, the Rams won six of these games by over 15 points, including a month-defining win over then-first-place George Mason 70-54.
VCU additionally notched resilient road wins over Dayton, George Washington and Duquesne to finish at 7-3 away from home.
VCU graduate guard Max Shulga has spearheaded the Rams throughout this finishing stretch. Shulga’s game averages for the season are 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting over 45% overall and 41% from 3.
Shulga was on another level in February, receiving the A-10 Player of the Week on Feb. 24 following an incredible two-game stretch against UMass and George Mason. Shulga averaged 20.5 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal while shooting 67% from the field and 69% from 3 during this week.
VCU graduate forward Jack Clark has succeeded over this recent form after suffering from a shooting slump earlier in the season. Clark has scored in double-digits five times in the last 10 games and is shooting 56% from 3 during this stretch.
“Honestly, it’s just the confidence I get from my coaches and my teammates,” Clark said following a win against George Mason.
VCU graduate guard Zeb Jackson plays an indispensable role for the Rams as their sixth man, averaging 10.6 points per game and consistently providing a scoring option off the bench.
Jackson spoke on the possibility of receiving the A-10 Sixth man of the Year award following the win over Davidson.
“None of us are worried about any of that to be honest,” Jackson said. “We just literally go day by day.”
The Rams can best be described as a well-oiled machine on both sides of the court.
VCU is second in the A-10 offensively at 77.9 points per game thanks to its high shooting numbers and balanced attacking threat. The Rams have four players averaging double-digits in points and shoots the most 3s in the conference, ranking 24th in the nation in 3-point attempts per game.
VCU defensively is much of the same, holding opponents to an average of 62.7 points per game while ranking within the top 50 in the nation in forcing turnovers.
Despite a tough loss against Dayton to end the year, the Rams will look to continue their prior play in the A-10 Tournament with the championship and the NCAA Tournament in their sights. VCU currently sits at No. 30 in the KenPom rankings and is one of the top mid-major teams in the country.
VCU should carry this momentum through the A-10 Tournament and win, clinching a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Rams have an opportunity to make a run as a Cinderella candidate once there, upsetting the championship dreams of any large school that stands in their way.
