The Rams of Virginia Commonwealth have done much more than just destroy your NCAA tournament brackets from the office. The Rams were not even supposed to be in the NCAA tourney. (“Not even supposed to be here today”, thank you Dante). Why would a team from the Colonial Athletic Association like VCU even be there? The tournament is made for only the best teams, the best 64.

Or… the best 68, that was all the Rams required to have their way in the big dance. Since adding the extra 4 games, no one ever imagines these last minute teams to do much of anything but be cannon fodder for the opponent they are honored to play in the first round of the “real tournament.” The “play in games” aren’t even included in most office pools, or really have any sort of importance in the brackets when adding and tallying the points.

But the Rams have done it, playing in the Final Four on Saturday, Apr 2, with a chance to get into the championship game for the 1st time in its school’s 38 year basketball history. The Rams have made only 10 appearances in the tourney, sporting a “dynamic” 10-9 record, never getting passed the 2nd round.

On the season, VCU was 21-10, scoring an average of a sturdy 71.8 per game. Their defense gave up 66.7 a night. But, also losing to teams such as the Drexel Dragons, the 11-20 Northeastern Huskies and the Georgia St Panthers, during the season. Their best wins, probably beating the Wofford Terriers. Not a boatload of big wins to be too proud of.

But then came the NCAA tourney, where they finished off the Southern California Trojans 59-46, to get into the big boy brackets. Then they were fed to the Georgetown Hoyas, led by 18 point scorer, Austin Freeman. The Rams beat them silly, 74-56. Everyone was stunned, but nothing undoubtedly more was expected from them.

Right?

After then going on to defeat Purdue 94-76, Florida State 72-71, and then blowing out the powerhouse Kansas Jayhawks 71-61, maybe it’s time to pay attention to what the Rams are doing on the court.

In the tournament, they are scoring 74/gm, shooting the triple ball with brilliant accuracy at 44%. Holding their opponents to a stingy 62/gm. Which are all better than their regular season numbers, winning 4 games by 10 or more, overall winning by an average of 12/gm.

6-6 guard, Bradford Burgess has been playing excellently, scoring 16 ppg, knocking down 59% of his treys in the tourney. Despite being pounded on the offensive glass in 4 of their 5 games, being outrebounded by 8.5 in the second chance boards, their quick hands have kept them in it, pilfering the ball away 11 more times than their opponents. The VCU Rams suddenly look like a valid championship contender.

2nd year Coach Shaka Smart has also done a more than magnificent job coaching his team through this tournament thus far, outcoaching legendary 444 winner, Bill Self, 70.3% game winner, Matt Painter, and Georgetown 160 game winner, John Thompson along the way. He has a team that had less talent than most of the teams and still got them to victory.

What they have done is nothing short of amazing. Really, coming into the tournament as a “play in” team and to make it this far is unusually special. Things like this don’t happen often. This really and truly is a story that is inspirational. You don’t see the “mid-major” (overused term) teams typically making this far in the tournament, it’s usually saved for the big teams. This year, we instead, have the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth.

Wait, isn’t Butler in the Final Four…again?
 

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