Drew Thompson, Sports Editor
VCU men’s basketball is firmly in the Phil Martelli Jr. era as the season reaches its apex.
Martelli Jr. was brought in at the end of the last season after previous head coach Ryan Odom took a coaching job at the University of Virginia.
Martelli Jr. coached at Bryant University for two seasons — reaching the NCAA Tournament last season — before signing a six-year deal with VCU.
The Rams were a well-oiled machine under Odom, whereas Martelli Jr. ’s start of the season was rockier than fans have come to expect. The team is almost entirely different from last season, in terms of roster and play style.
However, VCU has flipped the script since starting Atlantic 10 play, currently on a nine-game win streak and sitting second in the A-10 only behind nationally ranked Saint Louis University.
Both this and last season’s teams were great around this time, so that brings forward the question: what difference has a year made for VCU?
The 2024-25 team was 20-5 and 11-2 in the A-10 at this time, and the 2025-26 team sits at almost the same. VCU is currently 20-6 and 11-2 in the A-10, however this year’s team has had a notably harder schedule.
The 2025-26 team has a slightly higher-ranked offense nationally, sitting at No. 48 in Kenpom compared to No. 51 last season. However their defense is noticeably lower at No. 64 compared to No. 27 nationally.
The offense scores in much of the same way, shooting a large number of threes per game. About 48% of shots came from three under Odom compared to 44% under Martelli Jr.
The key difference in offense is the tempo. Odom played a more methodical approach, often letting the shot clock wind down over each possession. Martelli Jr.’s offense usually has shots going up earlier in the shot clock and more shots in the paint.
Martelli Jr. carried over the high-tempo style of play he employed during his tenure at Bryant. Odom played a slower brand of basketball, ranking at No. 246 in tempo, whereas Martelli Jr. has the Rams at No. 77 nationally.
Defense is where a lot of the difference lies. Odom made VCU one of the top defensive teams in the nation with many stats sitting in the 99th percentile on CBB Analytics.
Odom had teams shooting some of their worst numbers against VCU with suffocating defense. Martelli Jr. has above-average numbers defensively in most stats, however they struggle with defending the paint.
This year the Rams are last in the A-10 for paint points allowed, opponents percentage of paint points scored and two-point shot attempts per game.
VCU was the top team last season in the A-10 defensively in a majority of categories, whereas this season, it sits closer to the middle of the pack. This is seen best when comparing the average points scored a game by opponents.
Under Odom the Rams allowed an A-10 best 63 points a game, while Martelli Jr. ’s Rams allow 72.5 on average — ranking them in the lower half of the A-10.
Both teams are impressive and Martelli Jr. is undeniably looking to bring a second straight A-10 title to VCU. This season’s team is in the best shape right now to continue a push into the conference tournament and possibly secure a spot in March Madness.