VCU Rams basketball — program history
VCU's basketball program was founded in 1968 after the merger of the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia. The 'Rams' name was adopted in 1970, influenced by Richmond's colonial-era sheep farming history. VCU pulled off one of the most incredible tournament runs ever in 2011, becoming the first team to advance from the First Four to the Final Four under Shaka Smart's 'Havoc' defense. The Rams upset Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State, and top-seeded Kansas in consecutive games.
The name
Originally named the 'Panthers' in 1968, VCU changed to 'Rams' in 1970, influenced by Richmond's colonial-era sheep farming history
Signature moment
The 2011 First Four-to-Final Four run under Shaka Smart, the first team ever to accomplish this feat, defeating five opponents including top-seeded Kansas
VCU's 2011 Final Four run was the first time a team advanced from the First Four play-in games all the way to the Final Four — coach Shaka Smart was named after the Zulu monarch Shaka kaSenzangakhona
The VCU Rams compete in the A-10 and hold an all-time record of 1085–565 (.658 winning percentage) across 53 recorded seasons dating back to 1973-74. The program has reached 1 Final Four.
Season-by-season results
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