VCU men’s basketball releases their non-conference schedule

Bersabeh Kemaw, Staff Writer

As basketball season slowly approaches, the Rams released their non-conference schedule for fans to get a glimpse of what is to come.

This season will be a little different for the Rams, as they adjust to coaching staff changes.

VCU new men’s basketball head coach, Ryan Odom, was the previous head coach at Utah State University, where he coached for two seasons and led the team to the first round of the NCAA tournament in the 2022-23 season, according to VCU Athletics.

The black and gold also acquired three new assistant coaches: Bryce Crawford, Matt Henry and Darius Theus, according to VCU Athletics.

The team is feeling excited about their upcoming season and their non-conference schedule, according to Coach Odom.

“When you have transitions like we’ve had, it’s not as easy to put it together,” Odom said. “But I think we landed in a good spot, we have some challenging opponents coming into the Stu [Siegel Center].”

The Rams have also been adjusting to an almost entirely new roster, according to VCU senior combo guard Zeb Jackson.

“We’ve all been learning a new system coming from different places, except the few that came from Utah State,” Jackson said. “But for the most part, it’s been really fun. Everybody’s been enjoying it while learning.”

The Rams will be hosting all of their non-conference games at the Stu for the 2023-24 season, according to VCU Athletics.

A few of the games to look out for include, but are not limited to, matchups against former Atlantic 10 rivals Temple University, University of Memphis, Norfolk State and McNeese State. 

The game against the University of Memphis Tigers will be one of the biggest games for the team in their non-conference schedule, according to VCU redshirt freshman wing Alphonzo “Fats” Billups III.

“I’m definitely ready for the Memphis game,” Billups said.

The Tigers had an overall record of 26 wins and nine losses last season, finishing second in the American Athletic Conference, according to ESPN.

The Rams had a two-game winning streak against the Tigers before losing to them in their last game, 62-47, according to VCU Athletics.

The Norfolk State Spartans is a team Billups is also looking forward to playing, as he will be going up against a former teammate.

“It’s definitely gonna be fun getting on the floor and playing with him,” Billups said. 

This will be the first time the Spartans and the Rams will be playing against one another in school history.

The Temple University Owls are a former Atlantic 10 rival for the black and gold, making this a good game for the team, according to Odom.

“Rejuvenating that rivalry will be good for us,” Odom said.

The Owls will be coming to the Stu for the first time after defeating the Rams in Philadelphia, 83-73. The Rams have lost two of the three previous games against Temple, according to VCU Athletics.

The black and gold will be going up against McNeese State, coached by Will Wade, who was the head coach here at VCU from 2015-16, according to VCU Athletics.

This will be his first season coaching at McNeese State, however; he will be serving a suspension for the first ten games of the season, according to The Athletic.

The Rams are also set to make their first appearance in the ESPN Events Invitational Tournament over the Thanksgiving break in Orlando. 

This will be a challenging tournament for the Rams, according to Odom.

“It’s a loaded field down there,” Odom said.

The black and gold will be playing against the Iowa State Cyclones for their first game of the tournament, according to VCU Athletics.

This will be a noteworthy season for both the team and VCU fans tuning in, according to Jackson.

“Just be ready for an entertaining and exciting year,” Jackson said.