# VCU Rams men's basketball, 1968–1979

The VCU Rams men's basketball teams represented Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, United States. The program was established in 1967, and began play in the 1968–69 season. This article is a list of results and statistics of the men's basketball team from the 1968–69 season to the 1978–79 season during which the team played as an NCAA Independent.

## 1968–69

The 1968–69 VCU Rams men's basketball team represented the newly created Virginia Commonwealth University during the 1968–69 NCAA men's basketball season. Led by Benny Dees, the Rams played their inaugural season as an independent team, playing a mix of Division I, II and III schools across the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio River Valley and Southeast regions. After an 0–4 start, the Rams finished the season with a winning record of 12–11. During the season, they played in two winter tournaments; the Fort Eustis and Quantico tournaments held at Virginia military bases, Joint Base Langley–Eustis and Marine Corps Base Quantico, respectively. The team did not earn a berth into either the NCAA or NIT tournaments.
During the team's inaugural season, the Rams played in the Franklin Street Gymnasium, which was their home arena until the opening of the Siegel Center in the late 1990s.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Record | Notes |
| November 27 | Augusta | Augusta, GA | L 71–89 | 0–1 | |
| November 30 | Georgia Southern | Statesboro, GA | L 88–105 | 0–2 | |
| December 6 | Washington and Lee | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | L 70–83 | 0–3 | |
| December 7 | Hampden–Sydney | Farmville, VA | L 79–83 | 0–4 | |
| December 9 | N. News Apprentice | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | W 78–69 | 1–4 | |
| December 13 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | W 120–77 | 2–4 | |
| December 14 | Pembroke State | Pembroke, NC | W 86–77 | 3–4 | |
| December 18 | Bridgewater | Quantico, VA | W 101–84 | 4–4 | Quantico Tournament |
| December 19 | NYIT | Quantico, VA | L 81–103 | 4–5 | Quantico Tournament |
| December 20 | West Liberty State | Quantico, VA | W 106–100 (ot) | 5–5 | Quantico Tournament |
| December 21 | Maryland State | Quantico, VA | L 69–71 | 5–6 | Quantico Tournament |
| December 27 | Roanoke | Newport News, VA | L 59–84 | 5–7 | Fort Eustis Tournament |
| December 28 | West Virginia State | Newport News, VA | W 79–73 | 6–7 | Fort Eustis Tournament |
| December 29 | Denison | Newport News, VA | W 76–69 | 7–7 | Fort Eustis Tournament |
| January 7 | Washington and Lee | Lexington, VA | L 75–80 | 7–8 | |
| January 9 | Virginia Union | Richmond, VA | W 96–74 | 8–8 | |
| January 11 | Pembroke State | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | W 72–57 | 9–8 | |
| January 15 | High Point | High Point, NC | L 77–109 | 9–9 | |
| February 5 | Old Dominion | Norfolk, VA | L 69–101 | 9–10 | |
| February 8 | Southeastern | Lakeland, FL | W 89–60 | 10–10 | |
| February 12 | Virginia Union | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | L 82–89 | 10–11 | |
| February 18 | Bridgewater | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | W 95–86 | 11–11 | |
| February 20 | Hampden–Sydney | Franklin Street Gym • Richmond, VA | W 101–84 | 12–11 | |
Source: Men's Basketball 1968–69 Results, VCU Athetlics

## 1969–70

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Nov. 28 | College of Charleston | Franklin Street Gym | W, 142-83 |
| Dec. 2 | Long Island | Long Island, N.Y. | L, 67-72 |
| Dec. 4 | Western Kentucky | Bowling Green, Ky. | L, 73-115 |
| Dec. 6 | Tennessee Tech | Cookeville, Tenn. | L, 81-88 |
| Dec. 8 | Providence | Providence, R.I. | L, 71-103 |
| Dec. 10 | Old Dominion | Franklin Street Gym | L, 82-93 |
| Dec. 16 | Hampden-Sydney | Franklin Street Gym | W, 85-59 |
| Dec. 19 | Atlantic Christian | Franklin Street Gym | W, 123-99 |
| Dec. 22 | Akron | Akron, Ohio | W, 87-85 |
| Jan. 5 | Washington & Lee | Franklin Street Gym | W, 90-83 |
| Jan. 10 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym | W, 110-78 |
| Jan. 21 | Old Dominion | Norfolk, Va. | L, 90-94 |
| Jan. 24 | Loyola | New Orleans, La. | L, 99-121 |
| Feb. 4 | Virginia State | Franklin Street Gym | W(ot), 96-92 |
| Feb. 6 | York | Franklin Street Gym | W, 96-77 |
| Feb. 7 | Virginia Union | Franklin Street Gym | W, 103-93 |
| Feb. 9 | Atlantic Christian | Wilson, N.C. | W, 111-87 |
| Feb. 10 | Pikeville | Franklin Street Gym | W, 106-80 |
| Feb. 16 | High Point | Franklin Street Gym | W, 105-77 |
| Feb. 19 | Hampden-Sydney | Farmville, Va | W, 87-81 |
| Feb. 21 | Ohio | Franklin Street Gym | L, 75-95 |
| Feb. 23 | Eastern Kentucky | Richmond, Ky. | L, 78-84 |
| Feb. 24 | Washington & Lee | Farmville, Va. | L, 71-87 |

## 1970–71

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Dec. 1 | Bradley | Peoria, Il. | L, 70-102 |
| Dec. 2 | Butler | Indianapolis, Ind. | L, 97-99 |
| Dec. 3 | DePaul | Chicago, Il. | L, 77-100 |
| Dec. 5 | Bluefield State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 105-86 |
| Dec. 7 | Campbell | Franklin Street Gym | W, 79-78 |
| Dec. 10 | Western Kentucky | Bowling Green, KY | L, 71-96 |
| Dec. 12 | Eastern Kentucky | Richmond, KY | L, 80-107 |
| Dec. 19 | Akron | Franklin Street Gym | W, 74-70 |
| Dec. 28 | Minnesota | Franklin Street Gym | W, 63-56 |
| Jan. 6 | Mount St. Mary's | Franklin Street Gym | W, 97-78 |
| Jan. 9 | UNC Wilmington | Franklin Street Gym | W, 114-66 |
| Jan. 18 | Haverford | Franklin Street Gym | W, 93-49 |
| Jan. 22 | Virginia Union | Richmond, Va. | W, 90-76 |
| Jan. 25 | Virginia State | Petersburg, Va. | W, 107-68 |
| Jan. 28 | Arkansas State | Jonesboro, Ark. | L, 86-94 |
| Jan. 30 | LSU-New Orleans | New Orleans, La. | L, 96-99 |
| Feb. 5 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym | W, 116-56 |
| Feb. 10 | Old Dominion | Franklin Street Gym | W, 79-71 |
| Feb. 13 | York | York, Pa. | W, 117-89 |
| Feb. 14 | St. Francis | Loretto, Pa. | L, 74-80 |
| Feb. 18 | Virginia State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 112-74 |
| Feb. 20 | UNC Wilmington | Wilmington, N.C. | W, 104-75 |
| Feb. 22 | Virginia Union | Franklin Street Gym | W, 81-76 |
| Feb. 27 | Old Dominion | Norfolk, Va. | L, 85-98 |

## 1971–72

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Dec. 4 | James Madison | Franklin Street Gym | W, 93-68 |
| Dec. 6 | Wilmington | Franklin Street Gym | W, 102-70 |
| Dec. 9 | Missouri | Columbia, Miss. | L, 66-73 |
| Dec. 11 | Western Kentucky | Bowling Green, KY | L, 76-85 |
| Dec. 16 | Baltimore | Franklin Street Gym | W, 86-76 |
| Dec. 18 | Glassboro State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 86-72 |
| Dec. 20 | East Tennessee State | Richmond Coliseum | W, 84-71 |
| Jan. 3 | St. Francis | Richmond Coliseum | W, 109-94 |
| Jan. 10 | Norfolk State | Richmond Coliseum | L, 97-109 |
| Jan. 21 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym | W, 103-48 |
| Jan. 29 | Valparaiso | Franklin Street Gym | W, 86-76 |
| Jan. 31 | Virginia Union | Franklin Street Gym | W, 90-85 |
| Feb. 2 | Mount St. Mary's | Emmitsburg, Md. | W, 96-65 |
| Feb. 8 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym | W, 122-73 |
| Feb. 14 | Virginia Union | Richmond, Va. | W, 109-94 |
| Feb. 18 | Fairleigh Dickinson | Madison, N.J. | L, 86-89 (ot) |
| Feb. 21 | Loyola | Richmond Coliseum | W, 112-99 |
| Mar. 1 | Wilmington | Wilmington, N.C. | W, 103-80 |
| Mar. 6 | Iona | Richmond Coliseum | W, 93-74 |

## 1972–73

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Nov. 27 | Wilmington | Franklin Street Gym | W, 94-75 |
| Dec. 4 | East Tennessee State | Johnson City, TN | W, 79-69 |
| Dec. 5 | Morehead State | Morehead, KY | L, 90-103 |
| Dec. 9 | Eastern Kentucky | Richmond, KY | L, 86-96 |
| Dec. 12 | Fair. Dickinson | Richmond Coliseum | W, 63-47 |
| Dec. 21 | E. Kentucky | Richmond Coliseum | W, 69-63 |
| Jan. 10 | West Chester | Richmond Coliseum | W, 87-65 |
| Jan. 13 | Wilmington | Wilmington, N.C. | W, 83-75 |
| Jan. 15 | Norfolk State | Norfolk, Va. | W, 92-91 |
| Jan. 17 | Canisius | Richmond Coliseum | W, 80-66 |
| Jan. 20 | Centenary | Shreveport, La. | L, 74-102 |
| Jan. 27 | N. Carolina A&T | Richmond Coliseum | W, 79-78 |
| Jan. 30 | Northern Illinois | DeKalb, Il. | L, 81-91 |
| Feb. 2 | Virginia Union | Franklin Street Gym | L, 75-77 |
| Feb. 7 | East Tennessee State | Richmond Coliseum | W, 61-50 |
| Feb. 10 | Baltimore | Baltimore, Md. | W, 67-61 |
| Feb. 15 | Virginia Union | Richmond, Va. | W, 79-76 |
| Feb. 20 | Iona | New Rochelle, N.Y. | W, 81-74 |
| Feb. 24 | Brooklyn | Franklin Street Gym | W, 115-70 |
| Feb. 27 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym | W, 121-70 |

## 1973–74

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Dec. 1 | East Tennessee State | Richmond Coliseum | W, 96-55 |
| Dec. 4 | Morehead State | Richmond Coliseum | W, 116-85 |
| Dec. 8 | Northern Illinois | Richmond Coliseum | W, 87-71 |
| Dec. 11 | Middle Tennessee | Murfreesboro, TN | L, 80-102 |
| Dec. 15 | Canisius | Buffalo, N.Y. | L, 96-103 |
| Dec. 19 | Texas A&M | Richmond Coliseum | W, 72-71 |
| Dec. 21 | Austin Peay | Richmond Coliseum | L, 101-102 (ot) |
| Dec. 26 | Pacific | Stockton, Calif. | L, 75-80 |
| Dec. 28 | Boise State | Boise, ID | W, 87-85 |
| Jan. 4 | Mercer | Macon, Ga. | L, 89-90 |
| Jan. 7 | Austin Peay | Clarksville, TN | L, 65-81 |
| Jan. 12 | Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | L, 51-57 |
| Jan. 15 | Cornell | Richmond Coliseum | W, 107-64 |
| Jan. 18 | St. Mary's | Franklin Street Gym | W, 117-91 |
| Jan. 21 | Centenary | Richmond Coliseum | W, 82-79 |
| Jan. 27 | Detroit | Detroit, MI | W, 77-70 |
| Jan. 29 | Buffalo State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 119-69 |
| Feb. 4 | UNC Asheville | Franklin Street Gym | W, 111-70 |
| Feb. 8 | NE Illinois | Franklin Street Gym | W, 98-76 |
| Feb. 11 | West Florida | Franklin Street Gym | W, 102-64 |
| Feb. 16 | Iona | Richmond Coliseum | W, 94-73 |
| Feb. 18 | Wilmington | Franklin Street Gym | W, 108-71 |
| Feb. 22 | Southeastern | Franklin Street Gym | W, 125-74 |
| Feb. 25 | Mercer | Richmond Coliseum | W, 110-92 |

## 1974–75

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Nov. 30 | Iowa | Iowa City, IA | L, 80-95 |
| Dec. 2 | Wilmington | Franklin Street Gym | W, 104-96 |
| Dec. 5 | Hardin-Simmons | Richmond Coliseum | W, 112-74 |
| Dec. 7 | Baylor | Waco, TX | L, 81-83 |
| Dec. 9 | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, TX | W, 84-71 |
| Dec. 10 | Texas A&M | College Station, TX | L, 84-98 |
| Dec. 17 | Centenary | Richmond Coliseum | W, 76-75 |
| Dec. 19 | NE Louisiana | Franklin Street Gym | W, 83-75 |
| Dec. 21 | Buffalo | Richmond Coliseum | W, 105-73 |
| Dec. 28 | St. Peter's - Lions-VCU Holiday Tournament | Richmond Coliseum | W, 86-68 |
| Dec. 29 | Texas A&M - Lions-VCU Holiday Tournament | Richmond Coliseum | L, 80-84 |
| Jan. 8 | Baptist (S.C.) | Franklin Street Gym | W, 116-79 |
| Jan. 11 | Maine | Orono, ME | L, 90-91 |
| Jan. 15 | MD-Eastern Shore | Richmond Coliseum | W, 89-57 |
| Jan. 21 | St. Mary's | Franklin Street Gym | W, 120-60 |
| Jan. 25 | Western Illinois | Franklin Street Gym | W, 99-83 |
| Jan. 27 | Centenary | Shreveport, La. | L, 66-73 |
| Feb. 8 | Mercer | Richmond Coliseum | W, 95-75 |
| Feb. 11 | Delaware State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 91-60 |
| Feb. 15 | Elmira | Franklin Street Gym | W, 113-75 |
| Feb. 17 | Md.- Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, Md. | W, 85-75 |
| Feb. 22 | Mercer | Macon, Ga. | W, 68-63 |
| Feb. 24 | Canisius | Richmond Coliseum | W, 86-61 |
| Feb. 28 | Detroit | Richmond Coliseum | L, 58-67 |
| Mar. 3 | Auburn | Auburn, Ala. | L, 72-117 |

## 1975–76

| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Nov. 29 | Baltimore | Franklin Street Gym | W, 84-78 |
| Dec. 1 | Wilmington | Franklin Street Gym | W, 99-75 |
| Dec. 9 | Southern Illinois | Carbondale, Il. | L, 69-79 |
| Dec. 13 | Baylor | Richmond Coliseum | W, 68-64 |
| Dec. 16 | Centenary | Shreveport, La. | L, 69-94 |
| Dec. 18 | Georgia State | Atlanta, Ga. | L, 56-57 |
| Dec. 20 | Northeastern | Richmond Coliseum | W, 102-81 |
| Dec. 29 | CCNY - VCU-Holiday Tournament | Richmond Coliseum | W, 115-70 |
| Dec. 30 | Michigan State - VCU-Holiday Tournament | Richmond Coliseum | W, 80-75 |
| Jan. 3 | Memphis State | Memphis, TN | L, 72-92 |
| Jan. 13 | Western Illinois | Macomb, Il. | W, 83-81 |
| Jan. 16 | MD-Eastern Shore | Richmond Coliseum | W, 92-68 |
| Jan. 19 | Brockport State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 102-71 |
| Jan. 24 | North Texas State | Denton, TX | L, 72-89 |
| Jan. 26 | Oral Roberts | Tulsa, OK | L, 68-84 |
| Jan. 29 | Richmond | Richmond, Va. | L, 65-71 |
| Jan. 31 | Oklahoma City | Richmond Coliseum | W, 67-66 |
| Feb. 3 | Charles. Baptist | Franklin Street Gym | W, 120-61 |
| Feb. 6 | Maine | Franklin Street Gym | W, 92-82 |
| Feb. 10 | Richmond | Richmond Coliseum | L, 66-68 |
| Feb. 17 | Brockport State | Brockport, N.Y. | W, 104-99 (ot) |
| Feb. 18 | Buffalo | Buffalo, N.Y. | W, 97-78 |
| Feb. 21 | Delaware State | Franklin Street Gym | W, 105-75 |
| Mar. 1 | Centenary | Richmond Coliseum | L, 94-98 |
| Mar. 4 | Bentley | Franklin Street Gym | W, 96-56 |

## NBA Draft selections

| # | Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Name | Team | Position |
| 1 | 1974 | 2 | 14 | 32 | Jesse Dark | New York Knickerbockers | Point guard |
| 2 | 1974 | 4 | 9 | 63 | Bernie Harris | Buffalo Braves | Small forward |
| 3 | 1979 | 3 | 20 | 64 | Gerald Henderson | San Antonio Spurs | Point guard |