2016–17 VCU Rams men's basketball team

The 2016–17 VCU Rams men's basketball team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Rams, led by second-year head coach Will Wade, played their home games at Stuart C. Siegel Center as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 26–9, 14–4 in A-10 play to finish in second place. In the A-10 Tournament, they beat George Mason and Richmond before losing to Rhode Island in the championship game. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West region where they lost in the First round to Saint Mary's.

2016–17 VCU Rams men's basketball
NCAA Tournament, First Round
ConferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
2016–17 record26–9 (14–4 A10)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Rasheen Davis
  • Wes Long
  • Casey Long
Home arenaStuart C. Siegel Center
2016–17 Atlantic 10 men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Dayton15–3 .833  24–8  .750
VCU14–4 .778  26–9  .743
Rhode Island †13–5 .722  25–10  .714
Richmond13–5 .722  22–13  .629
Saint Bonaventure11–7 .611  20–12  .625
George Washington10–8 .556  20–15  .571
George Mason9–9 .500  20–14  .588
La Salle9–9 .500  15–15  .500
Davidson8–10 .444  17–15  .531
Fordham7–11 .389  13–19  .406
Saint Louis6–12 .333  12–21  .364
UMass4–14 .222  15–18  .455
Saint Joseph's4–14 .222  11–20  .355
Duquesne3–15 .167  10–22  .313
† 2017 A10 Tournament winner

Following the season, head coach Will Wade left VCU to take the head coaching position at LSU following the firing of Johnny Jones.[1] Wade had served has the head coach for the last two seasons making him VCU's shortest tenured head coach since Benny Dees.[2] On March 21, 2017 the school hired Rice head coach Mike Rhoades, who had served as associate head coach under Shaka Smart from 2009–2014.[3]

Previous season

The Rams finished the 2015–16 season with a record of 25–11, 14–4 in A-10 play to finish in a tie for a first-place. In the A-10 Tournament, the Rams lost to Saint Joseph's in the championship game. The Rams received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they beat Oregon State in the First Round before losing to Oklahoma in the Second Round.

Preseason

The Rams were picked to finish third in the A-10 preseason poll.[4] Mo Allie-Cox was selected to the All-A-10 second team while JeQuan Lewis was selected to the third team.[4] Cox and Lewis were also selected to the All-Defensive team.[4]

Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Jordan Riullano3G5'9"185FreshmanBronx, NYWalk-on; transferred to SUNY Sullivan
Michael Gilmore11F6'10"215SophomoreTallahassee, FLTransferred to Miami (FL)
Gerron Scissum22F6'7"210FreshmanHuntsville, ALTransferred to James Madison
Korey Billbury24G6'4"210SeniorTulsa, OKGraduated
Melvin Johnson32G6'4"193SeniorBronx, NYGraduated
Johnathan Nwankwo33F6'9"245FreshmanBronx, NYTransferred to College of Southern Idaho

Incoming transfers
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious School
Issac Vann11F6'6"190SophomoreBridgeport, CTTransferred from Maine. Under NCAA transfer rules, Vann will have to sit out in the 2016–17 season. Will have three years of eligibility left.

2016 recruiting class
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
De'Riante Jenkins
SF		 Eutawville, SC Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Sep 19, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 83
Malik Crowfield
SG		 Laplace, LA Riverside Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jan 21, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 76
Marquell Fraser
SG		 Hamilton, CAN The Hill Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 191 lb (87 kg) Mar 7, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "VCU 2016 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  • "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.

    2017 recruiting class
    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
    Marcus Santos-Silva
    PF    		 Taunton, MA Vermont Academy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Sep 21, 2016 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 73
    Sean Mobley
    PF    		 Melbourne, FL Montverde Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sep 25, 2016 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
    Mayan Kiir
    PF    		 Bradenton, FL Victory Rock Prep 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Nov 14, 2016 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 82
    Overall recruiting rankings:
    • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
    • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

    Sources:

      Roster
      2016–17 VCU Rams men's basketball team
      PlayersCoaches
      Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
      G 0 De'Riante Jenkins 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrHargrave Military Academy Eutawville, South Carolina
      G 1 JeQuan Lewis 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg) SrDickson County High School Dickson, Tennessee
      G 2 Samir Doughty  6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg) RS FrMathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      F 4 Justin Tillman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) JrPershing High School Detroit, Michigan
      G 5 Doug Brooks 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)200 lb (91 kg) SrLake Wales High School Lake Wales, Florida
      G 10 Jonathan Williams 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg) JrSt. Bendict's Prep Richmond, Virginia
      F 11 Issac Vann (I) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoMaine Bridgeport, Connecticut
      F 12 Mo Alie-Cox  6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)250 lb (113 kg) RS SrMiddleburg Academy Alexandria, Virginia
      G 13 Malik Crowfield 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrRiverside Academy LaPlace, Louisiana
      G 14 Torey Burston  5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)180 lb (82 kg) RS SrTrinity Episcopal School Richmond, Virginia
      G 15 Marquell Fraser 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg) FrThe Hill Academy Hamilton, Ontario
      G/F 20 Jordan Burgess  6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS SrBenedictine College Preparatory Midlothian, Virginia
      F 23 Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg) SrLee College Alexandria, Egypt
      Head coach
      Assistant coach(es)
      Legend
      • (C) Team captain
      • (S) Suspended
      • (I) Ineligible
      • (W) Walk-on

      Roster

      Schedule and results
      Date
      time, TV      		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
      city, state
      Exhibition
      Nov 4, 2016
      7:00 pm      		 Queens (NC) L 73–75 
      		 24 – Lewis  9 – Tied  3 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Non-conference regular season
      Nov 11, 2016*
      7:00 pm, WTVR 6.3      		 UNC Asheville W 80–65  1–0
      		  15 – Alie-Cox  6 – Tied (3)  4 – Brooks  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Nov 15, 2016*
      8:00 pm      		 at Liberty W 64–59  2–0
      		  13 – Lewis  8 – Alie-Cox  3 – Williams  Vines Center (3,289)
      Lynchburg, VA
      Nov 18, 2016*
      7:00 pm, WTVR 6.3      		 Binghamton
      Battle 4 Atlantis Opening Round      		 W 81–42  3–0
      		  14 – Jenkins  10 – Jenkins  5 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Nov 23, 2016*
      2:00 pm, ESPN2      		 vs. No. 20 Baylor
      Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinals      		 L 63–71  3–1
      		  21 – Lewis  7 – Doughty  5 – Lewis  Imperial Arena (1,215)
      Nassau, BAH
      Nov 24, 2016*
      7:00 pm, AXS TV      		 vs. St. John's
      Battle 4 Atlantis 2nd round consolation      		 W 75–69  4–1
      		  22 – Williams  13 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Imperial Arena (1,597)
      Nassau, BAH
      Nov 25, 2016*
      7:00 pm, AXS TV      		 vs. LSU
      Battle 4 Atlantis 5th place game      		 W 85–74  5–1
      		  19 – Lewis  8 – Tillman  9 – Lewis  Imperial Arena (1,201)
      Nassau, BAH
      Nov 29, 2016*
      7:00 pm, MASN      		 Princeton W 81–70  6–1
      		  23 – Lewis  7 – Burgess  12 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 3, 2016*
      3:00 pm, CBSSN      		 vs. Illinois
      Hoophall Miami Invitational      		 L 46–64  6–2
      		  10 – Alie-Cox  7 – Burgess  3 – Williams  American Airlines Arena 
      Miami, FL
      Dec 7, 2016*
      7:00 pm, ESPNU      		 Georgia Tech L 73–76 OT 6–3
      		  26 – Tillman  9 – Tillman  7 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 10, 2016*
      8:00 pm, ASN      		 at Old Dominion
      Rivalry      		 W 67–64  7–3
      		  20 – Lewis  8 – Alie-Cox  4 – Brooks  Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,472)
      Norfolk, VA
      Dec 17, 2016*
      7:00 pm, ASN      		 Middle Tennessee W 80–77  8–3
      		  20 – Lewis  11 – Burgess  4 – Doughty  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 22, 2016*
      7:00 pm, WTVR-TV      		 Louisiana–Monroe W 78–65  9–3
      		  16 – Alie-Cox  8 – Doughty  6 – Brooks  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 27, 2016*
      7:00 pm, MASN      		 Howard W 85–51  10–3
      		  17 – Lewis  9 – Tillman  6 – Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Atlantic 10 regular season
      Dec 30, 2016
      8:00 pm, CBSSN      		 at George Mason
      Rivalry      		 W 73–64  11–3
      (1–0)      		  26 – Lewis  11 – Tillman  5 – Williams  EagleBank Arena (7,780)
      Fairfax, VA
      Jan 4, 2017
      7:00 pm, ASN      		 at Duquesne W 94–87  12–3
      (2–0)      		  23 – Doughty  7 – Doughty  9 – Doughty  Palumbo Center (1,038)
      Pittsburgh, PA
      Jan 7, 2017
      1:00 pm, NBCSN      		 Massachusetts W 81–64  13–3
      (3–0)      		  17 – Lewis  10 – Tillman  6 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 11, 2017
      6:30 pm, ESPN2      		 George Washington W 85–55  14–3
      (4–0)      		  20 – Tillman  13 – Tillman  7 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 14, 2016
      2:00 pm, CBSSN      		 at Davidson L 63–69  14–4
      (4–1)      		  17 – Lewis  10 – Hamdy-Mohamed  4 – Lewis  John M. Belk Arena (4,636)
      Davidson, NC
      Jan 18, 2017
      7:00 pm, MASN      		 at Fordham L 67–69 OT 14–5
      (4–2)      		  20 – Tillman  5 – Tillman  10 – Lewis  Rose Hill Gymnasium (2,186)
      Bronx, NY
      Jan 22, 2017
      2:00 pm, NBCSN      		 La Salle W 90–52  15–5
      (5–2)      		  16 – Tillman  11 – Hamdy-Mohamed  5 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 27, 2017
      9:00 pm, ESPN2      		 Dayton W 73–68  16–5
      (6–2)      		  18 – Tillman  9 – Tillman  5 – Doughty  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 1, 2017
      7:00 pm, CBSSN      		 Richmond
      Capital City Classic      		 W 81–74  17–5
      (7–2)      		  18 – Tillman  9 – Tillman  6 – Doughty  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 4, 2017
      4:00 pm, CBSSN      		 at St. Bonaventure W 83–77 OT  18–5
      (8–2)      		  20 – Alie-Cox  12 – Tillman  7 – Lewis  Reilly Center (5,480)
      Olean, NY
      Feb 8, 2017
      9:00 pm, CBSSN      		 at George Washington W 54–53  19–5
      (9–2)      		  11 – Tillman  11 – Tillman  2 – Tied  Charles E. Smith Center (4,012)
      Washington, D.C.
      Feb 11, 2017
      8:00 pm, CBSSN      		 Davidson W 74–60  20–5
      (10–2)      		  27 – Lewis  16 – Tillman  3 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 14, 2017
      6:00 pm, CBSSN      		 Saint Joseph's W 91–81  21–5
      (11–2)      		  34 – Lewis  13 – Tillman  10 – Doughty  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 17, 2017
      9:00 pm, ESPN2      		 at Richmond
      Capital City Classic      		 W 84–73  22–5
      (12–2)      		  16 – Lewis  7 – Lewis  5 – Lewis  Robins Center (7,201)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 22, 2017
      7:00 pm, ASN      		 Saint Louis W 64–50  23–5
      (13–2)      		  17 – Williams  10 – Tillman  4 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 25, 2017
      1:00 pm, ESPN2      		 at Rhode Island L 59–69  23–6
      (13–3)      		  14 – Williams  7 – Brooks  2 – Brooks  Ryan Center (6,845)
      Kingston, RI
      Mar 1, 2017
      8:00 pm, CBSSN      		 at Dayton L 72–79  23–7
      (13–4)      		  23 – Allie-Cox  10 – Tillman  5 – Tied  UD Arena (13,455)
      Dayton, OH
      Mar 4, 2017
      2:00 pm, MASN      		 George Mason
      Rivalry      		 W 72–60  24–7
      (14–4)      		  24 – Tillman  11 – Tillman  9 – Lewis  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Atlantic 10 Tournament
      Mar 10, 2017
      6:00 pm, NBCSN      		 (2) vs. (7) George Mason
      Quarterfinals      		 W 71–60  25–7
      		  15 – Jenkins  7 – Burgess  6 – Lewis  PPG Paints Arena (6,647)
      Pittsburgh, PA
      Mar 11, 2017
      6:00 pm, CBSSN      		 (2) vs. (3) Richmond
      Semifinals      		 W 87–77 OT 26–7
      		  18 – Lewis  14 – Tillman  7 – Williams  PPG Paints Arena (6,886)
      Pittsburgh, PA
      Mar 12, 2017
      12:30 pm, CBS      		 (2) vs. (4) Rhode Island
      Championship game      		 L 63–70  26–8
      		  15 – Lewis  17 – Tillman  3 – Lewis  PPG Paints Arena (7,025)
      Pittsburgh, PA
      NCAA Tournament
      March 16, 2017*
      7:20 pm, TBS      		 (10 W) vs. (7 W) No. 22 Saint Mary's
      First round      		 L 77–85  26–9
      		  30 – Lewis  7 – Tillman  2 – Tied  Vivint Smart Home Arena (16,341)
      Salt Lake City, UT
      *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. W=West Region.
      All times are in Eastern Time.

      References
      1. "VCU's Will Wade hired as next coach at LSU". ESPN. espn.com. March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
      2. "Benny Dees Coaching Record". Sports Reference. sports-reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
      3. "VCU moves quickly to hire Mike Rhoades from Rice to fill coaching vacancy". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
      4. "Flyers Picked to Win 2016-17; Men's Basketball". Atlantic10.com. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
      This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.