Power Rankings
#56▼15
Who is best right now.
+16.4points per 100 possessions vs an average D-I team
Last week: +18.8 (#41)
Preseason: #42
Full Power Rankings → Compare to another teamRating breakdown
Adjusted for every opponent and home court. Power = offense minus defense.
Projected record
21-8
- Conference record
- 12-6
- Conference title
- 17%
- Outright title
- 8%
- Luck
- -0.3
Actual results so far plus the rest of the seasonplayed out 10,000 times with the win chance for each game (non-Division I opponents count as 97% wins). The title is the regular-season crown; conference tournaments aren't included. Later rounds of holiday tournaments are added once the opponent is known.
Why #42 in the preseason
What the computer saw going in
- →Last season: #50 in the country (+17.9), 28-8.
- →59% of last season's minutes are back.
- →4 transfers in, led by Nyle Ralph-Beyer (Sacred Heart, 14.3 ppg), Torey Alston (Middle Tennessee, 13.1 ppg), Blake Harper (Creighton, 7.7 ppg). Transfers moving up a level are counted cautiously.
- →2 ranked freshmen: Sammy Jackson (#64), Collin Ross (#107).
- →Lost Barry Evans (7.2 ppg), Terrence Hill Jr. (15 ppg, now at Tennessee), Jadrian Tracey (9.6 ppg).
The preseason rating counts for about five games, then real results take over.
Teams like VCU
The closest matches across all 365 Division I teams, based on the current ratings.
This season
Everyone who has played, most minutes first: per-game numbers from the box scores, updated after every game.
| Player | G · GS | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyk LewisG · Sophomore · #315 ranked | 2 · 2 | 33.5 | 14.5 | 2.5 | 6.0 | 44.4 (8-18) | 37.5 (3-8) | 83.3 (10-12) |
| Blake HarperG · Junior · #648 ranked | 2 · 2 | 33.0 | 18.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 43.5 (10-23) | 46.7 (7-15) | 75.0 (9-12) |
| Lazar DjokovicF · Senior · #137 ranked | 2 · 2 | 32.0 | 11.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 31.2 (5-16) | 16.7 (1-6) | 75.0 (12-16) |
| Torey AlstonF · Junior · #142 ranked | 2 · 0 | 30.5 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 62.5 (5-8) | 50.0 (1-2) | 76.9 (10-13) |
| Ahmad NowellG · Junior · #1007 ranked | 2 · 0 | 22.0 | 11.5 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 33.3 (6-18) | 40.0 (4-10) | 87.5 (7-8) |
| Brandon JenningsG · Junior · #432 ranked | 2 · 2 | 17.0 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 37.5 (3-8) | 50.0 (1-2) | 100.0 (4-4) |
| Michael BelleF · Senior · #557 ranked | 2 · 2 | 14.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 60.0 (3-5) | 50.0 (1-2) | 25.0 (1-4) |
| Tyrell WardG · Senior · #1124 ranked | 2 · 0 | 9.5 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 66.7 (4-6) | 100.0 (1-1) | 75.0 (3-4) |
| Sammy JacksonG · Freshman · #1146 ranked | 2 · 0 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 33.3 (1-3) | 50.0 (1-2) | — (0-0) |
| Jordan TilleryG · Sophomore · #855 ranked | 1 · 0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — (0-0) | — (0-0) | 50.0 (1-2) |
| Nyle Ralph-BeyerG · Junior · #1373 ranked | 1 · 0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 (1-1) | 100.0 (1-1) | — (0-0) |
Projected rotation
The preseason model's minutes projection for each player with a track record (college stats or a recruiting rank), most minutes first. Players without one aren't projected here; This season above lists everyone who has played.
| Player | How he got here | Proj. min | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lazar DjokovicF · Senior |  Returning | 28 | 13.2 pts · 5.2 reb · 1.1 ast |
| Brandon JenningsG · Junior | Returning | 25 | 8.5 pts · 3.6 reb · 2.1 ast |
| Nyk LewisG · Sophomore | Returning | 24 | 8.7 pts · 4.5 reb · 1.6 ast |
| Michael BelleF · Senior | Returning | 23 | 7.3 pts · 5 reb · 1.1 ast |
| Torey AlstonF · Junior |  Transfer from Middle Tennessee | 20 | 13.1 pts · 7.9 reb · 1.4 ast |
| Blake HarperG · Junior |  Transfer from Creighton | 18 | 7.7 pts · 3.6 reb · 1.2 ast |
| Nyle Ralph-BeyerG · Junior |  Transfer from Sacred Heart | 15 | 14.3 pts · 3.8 reb · 0.7 ast |
| Tyrell WardG · Senior | Returning | 14 | 5.7 pts · 2.2 reb · 0.5 ast |
| Joshua WycheF · Junior |  Transfer from Lafayette | 12 | 0.6 pts · 1.6 reb · 0.3 ast |
| Ahmad NowellG · Junior | Returning | 11 | 4.5 pts · 1.2 reb · 0.6 ast |
| Sammy JacksonG · Freshman | Freshman · #64 recruit | 11 | — |
| Collin RossF · Freshman | Freshman · #107 recruit | 9 | — |
| Jordan TilleryG · Sophomore | Returning | 7 | 4.3 pts · 1.4 reb · 0.5 ast |
Gone from last season: Barry Evans (7.2 ppg), Terrence Hill Jr. (15 ppg, to 
Tennessee), Jadrian Tracey (9.6 ppg), Keyshawn Mitchell (3.2 ppg, to 
Iona)
Roster
Everyone on this season's roster, with this season's numbers for anyone who has played. Names link to player pages, ranked players first.
| # | Player | How he got here | Pos | Class | Ht / Wt | Hometown | This season | Last season | Rank · Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Lazar Djokovic | Returning | F | Senior | 6-11 · 235 | Gornji Milanovac, Serbia | 11.5 pts · 3.5 reb · 1.5 ast (2 G) | 13.2 pts · 5.2 reb · 1.1 ast (35 G) | #137 · +1.64 |
| 10 | Torey Alston | Transfer from Middle Tennessee | F | Junior | 6-9 · 215 | Durham, NC | 10.5 pts · 8.5 reb · 2.0 ast (2 G) | 13.1 pts · 7.9 reb · 1.4 ast (32 G) | #142 · +1.62 |
| 5 | Nyk Lewis | Returning | G | Sophomore | 6-1 · 195 | Washington, DC | 14.5 pts · 2.5 reb · 6.0 ast (2 G) | 8.7 pts · 4.5 reb · 1.6 ast (35 G) | #315 · +1.18 |
| 0 | Brandon Jennings | Returning | G | Junior | 6-4 · 180 | Richmond, VA | 5.5 pts · 2.5 reb · 1.0 ast (2 G) | 8.5 pts · 3.6 reb · 2.1 ast (36 G) | #432 · +0.97 |
| 8 | Michael Belle | Returning | F | Senior | 6-8 · 220 | London, England | 4.0 pts · 3.0 reb · 0.0 ast (2 G) | 7.3 pts · 5.0 reb · 1.1 ast (36 G) | #557 · +0.80 |
| 1 | Blake Harper | Transfer from Creighton | G | Junior | 6-7 · 220 | Washington, DC | 18.0 pts · 3.0 reb · 2.5 ast (2 G) | 7.7 pts · 3.6 reb · 1.2 ast (34 G) | #648 · +0.72 |
| 14 | Jordan Tillery | Returning | G | Sophomore | 6-5 · 190 | Orlando, FL | 1.0 pts · 0.0 reb · 0.0 ast (1 G) | 4.3 pts · 1.4 reb · 0.5 ast (12 G) | #855 · +0.50 |
| 4 | Ahmad Nowell | Returning | G | Junior | 6-1 · 190 | Philadelphia, PA | 11.5 pts · 5.5 reb · 1.0 ast (2 G) | 4.5 pts · 1.2 reb · 0.6 ast (28 G) | #1007 · +0.38 |
| 15 | Tyrell Ward | Returning | G | Senior | 6-6 · 185 | Washington, DC | 6.0 pts · 1.5 reb · 0.0 ast (2 G) | 5.7 pts · 2.2 reb · 0.5 ast (31 G) | #1124 · +0.29 |
| 2 | Sammy Jackson | Freshman | G | Freshman | 6-7 · 210 | Philadelphia, PA | 1.5 pts · 0.5 reb · 1.0 ast (2 G) | — | #1146 · +0.28 |
| 22 | Nyle Ralph-Beyer | Transfer from Sacred Heart | G | Junior | 6-4 · 180 | West Chester, PA | 3.0 pts · 0.0 reb · 0.0 ast (1 G) | 14.3 pts · 3.8 reb · 0.7 ast (31 G) | #1373 · +0.16 |
| 7 | Collin Ross | Freshman | F | Freshman | 6-11 · 205 | Atlanta, GA | Hasn't played | — | #1818 · -0.04 |
| 23 | Joshua Wyche | Transfer from Lafayette | F | Junior | 6-7 · 215 | Philadelphia, PA | Hasn't played | 0.6 pts · 1.6 reb · 0.3 ast (11 G) | #3221 · -0.58 |
| 9 | Stefan Plisnic | Freshman | F | Freshman | 6-10 · 225 | Belgrade, Serbia | Hasn't played | — | Not ranked yet |
Schedule
Projected scores and win chances come from the current ratings and update every morning.
| Nov 2 |  vsLittle Rock | W82-72Box score → |
| Nov 7 |  atMemphis | L88-89Box score → |
| Still to play · computer projections | ||
| Nov 11 |  vsNJIT | Projected 90-61VCU: 99% to winVCU: 99% to win Compare |
| Nov 19 |  atSanta Clara | Projected 82-83VCU: 48% to winVCU: 48% to win Compare |
| Nov 23 |  vs (N)ProvidenceSouthwest Maui Invitational | Projected 79-80VCU: 49% to winVCU: 49% to win Compare |
| Nov 24 | Southwest Maui InvitationalRound 2 | Opponent TBD |
| Nov 25 | Southwest Maui InvitationalChampionship or placement game | Opponent TBD |
| Dec 3 |  vsCoppin State | Projected 90-60VCU: 99% to winVCU: 99% to win Compare |
| Dec 7 |  vsNorth Carolina Central | Projected 88-62VCU: 99% to winVCU: 99% to win Compare |
| Dec 12 |  vs (N)Florida AtlanticHall of Fame Series - Orlando | Projected 85-73VCU: 85% to winVCU: 85% to win Compare |
| Dec 15 |  vsCentral Connecticut | Projected 89-62VCU: 99% to winVCU: 99% to win Compare |
| Dec 19 |  vs (N)Mississippi State | Projected 81-79VCU: 56% to winVCU: 56% to win Compare |
| Dec 22 |  vsMorgan State | Projected 93-64VCU: 99% to winVCU: 99% to win Compare |
| Dec 30 |  atSt. BonaventureConference | Projected 82-73VCU: 78% to winVCU: 78% to win Compare |
| Jan 2 |  vsDuquesneConference | Projected 85-72VCU: 87% to winVCU: 87% to win Compare |
| Jan 6 |  vsDavidsonConference | Projected 81-71VCU: 79% to winVCU: 79% to win Compare |
| Jan 9 |  atGeorge WashingtonConference | Projected 77-79VCU: 43% to winVCU: 43% to win Compare |
| Jan 13 |  vsLa SalleConference | Projected 88-70VCU: 93% to winVCU: 93% to win Compare |
| Jan 18 |  atSaint Joseph'sConference | Projected 80-71VCU: 79% to winVCU: 79% to win Compare |
| Jan 22 |  atDaytonConference | Projected 77-75VCU: 57% to winVCU: 57% to win Compare |
| Jan 27 |  vsGeorge MasonConference | Projected 77-71VCU: 70% to winVCU: 70% to win Compare |
| Jan 30 |  vsRichmondConference | Projected 86-75VCU: 82% to winVCU: 82% to win Compare |
| Feb 5 |  atSaint LouisConference | Projected 79-87VCU: 25% to winVCU: 25% to win Compare |
| Feb 10 |  vsRhode IslandConference | Projected 82-73VCU: 79% to winVCU: 79% to win Compare |
| Feb 13 | atRichmondConference · Capital City Classic | Projected 83-79VCU: 63% to winVCU: 63% to win Compare |
| Feb 16 |  atFordhamConference | Projected 79-75VCU: 63% to winVCU: 63% to win Compare |
| Feb 19 | vsSaint LouisConference | Projected 82-83VCU: 46% to winVCU: 46% to win Compare |
| Feb 23 | vsSt. BonaventureConference | Projected 85-70VCU: 90% to winVCU: 90% to win Compare |
| Feb 26 | atGeorge MasonConference | Projected 74-75VCU: 50% to winVCU: 50% to win Compare |
| Mar 2 |  atLoyola ChicagoConference | Projected 78-72VCU: 69% to winVCU: 69% to win Compare |
| Mar 5 | vsDaytonConference | Projected 81-72VCU: 76% to winVCU: 76% to win Compare |
A-10 standings
| # | Team | Conf | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Louis | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 2 | George Washington | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 3 | George Mason | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 5 | Davidson | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 6 | Richmond | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 7 | Loyola Chicago | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 8 | Duquesne | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 9 | Saint Joseph's | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 10 | VCU | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 11 | Dayton | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 12 | Fordham | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 13 | St. Bonaventure | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 14 | La Salle | 0-0 | 1-1 |