Last Year: 27-8; 15-3, Atlantic 10 Regular Season and Tournament Champions, lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament
Head Coach: Ryan Odom (First Year; 44-25 at Utah State the past two years with one NCAA Tournament appearance)
Projected Starting Lineup
| PG Zeb Jackson – 6’5″, 180 – Senior |
| SG Max Shulga – 6’4″, 197 – Senior |
| SF Sean Bairstow – 6’8″, 205 – 5th-year Senior |
| PF Kuany Kuany – 6’9″, 200 – 5th-year Senior |
| C Roosevelt Wheeler – 6’11”, 240 – Junior |
Projected Starters’ 2022-23 Stats
Zeb Jackson: 5.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.0 spg – 39.1% FG
Max Shulga: 11.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 0.7 spg – 36.4% 3FG @ Utah State
Sean Bairstow: 10.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.4 spg – 38.6% 3FG @ Utah State
Kuany Kuany: 9.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.6 spg – 35.9% FG @ Cal
Roosevelt Wheeler: 1.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.2 bpg, 0.2 spg – 37.5% FG @ Louisiville
Experienced Reserves
| G Jason Nelson – 5’10”, 175 – Sophomore |
| F Toibu ‘Tobi’ Lawal – 6’8″, 200 – Sophomore |
| F Christian Fermin – 6’10”, 215 – Sophomore |
Experienced Reserves’ 2022-23 Stats
Jason Nelson: 8.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.8 spg – 36.2% FG @ Richmond
Tobi Lawal: 1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.3 bpg, 0.2 apg – 51.9% FG
Christian Fermin: 0.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.2 bpg (14 games played)
Freshmen
| W Alphonzo ‘Fats’ Billups – 6’7″, 180 – Redshirt Freshman |
| W Michael Belle – 6’7″, 190 – Freshman / England |
| F/C Obinnaya ‘Obi’ Okafor – 6’9″, 220 – Redshirt Freshman |
The school known for Havoc has never seen upheaval like this before. Virginia Commonwealth is a program which has rolled with the disruptive changes of major college basketball as effectively as nearly any mid-major out there over the past decade-plus. Now, the most cataclysmic changes since the Rams’ chaotic rise to national prominence have come. At the perfect intersection of roster disorder born of stylistic changes and the absolute mayhem of the Transfer Portal, VCU has had a confusing offseason. Thankfully for fans in Richmond, new head coach Ryan Odom was able to plunder some of the best pieces from the wreckage of his last Utah State team. He’s hoping that the vandalism which resulted in the Aggies’ loss will be VCU’s gain, and the Havoc synonyms are finished right meow.
Almost all of the key pieces from last year’s rotation have gone, and VCU will rely instead upon an assemblage of disparate but talented parts led by a couple of guys who were among the better players in the Mountain West a year ago. Odom will also be bringing in a different flavor of basketball. His free-flowing offensive sets may end up being terribly exciting for fans who have gotten used to seeing outstanding, harrying defense from their team the past few years…and quite a few missed shots on offense. If all of the changes end up meaning that the Rams will remain stout defensively and play to a more pleasing aesthetic on the other end, well, the new look may just receive rave reviews in the upcoming years.
For this season, the dynamic duo which Odom has imported first from overseas and then from Logan, UT, shall lead the effort at maintaining VCU’s place as a top program in the Atlantic 10. Max Shulga and Sean Bairstow are proven scorers who both play a versatile game, and their skills have grown in harmony over the friends’ three years together at Utah State. “Ultimately, individually for each of us, VCU was the best fit,” Bairstow reflected to Richmond.com this summer, on continuing to play alongside Shulga. “And then it just made even more sense, the fact that we would go and play again together, have another year of knowing somebody that’s on the same team and already having that connection.”
Shulga is a tall and sturdy guard from Kyiv, Ukraine. He has family still in and around the Kyiv area, and they have remained in communication with Shulga throughout the past year-plus despite Russian attacks. Against the backdrop of violence wrought upon his homeland, Shulga’s star has risen. He nearly tripled his scoring output from sophomore to junior season, emerging as a genuine bucket-getter who is just as effective a playmaker as he is a scorer. After two years developing as a reserve, Shulga has proven that he can help his crew do almost everything. Shulga scored 10 or more points 23 times last season, ranked sixth in the Mountain West in assists, twelfth in defensive rebounding and ended up ninth in minutes played. “Max is a dynamite player who has worked extremely hard in his career. He’s an elite pick and roll player. He’s a great shooter,” Odom glowed upon Shulga signing on in Richmond. “He’s an excellent passer as well. He’s somebody that is really looking to get his teammates involved, and he’s a good ball handler.”
Shulga often initiated the Aggies’ offense last season, and can bring the ball up before peeling off to become a spot-up shooter – or handle ball screens and create for himself
With deep-deep range and a confident handle, Shulga will dribble into rhythm for a good mid-range jumper or a step-back three. This season, he will look to become more consistent on his jumpers inside the arc; though he made a strong 65.6% of his attempts near the rim, Shulga dropped down to 37.5% on all other 2FG’s, per Bart Torvik. Shulga puts it on the deck looking both to open up chances for his friends and to earn free points; Shulga got to the stripe 3.9 times per tilt, and cashed in his tries last year at an 82.4% rate. His 23.0% assist rate ranked 11th in the Mountain West, and Shulga really came into his own as a confident distributor during his big year. Shulga often initiated the Aggies’ offense last season, and can bring the ball up before peeling off to become a spot-up shooter – or handle ball screens and create for himself. With his size, reach, strong court vision and expansive knowledge of Odom’s offense, Shulga is going to have the ball in his hands with great regularity this year, and will have the chance to put up all sorts of big numbers.
Bairstow is a rangy Australian forward who, like his once and current teammate, can make things happen in a variety of ways. “Sean…was a very important player for us at that three/four spot,” Odom reflected this spring, speaking of Bairstow’s time at USU. “He can really pass the ball. He’s excellent at pick-and-roll. He’s become a reliable shooter from the perimeter and a reliable defender and rebounder. His experience and understanding of our system is going to be extremely important for our team going forward.” The younger brother of former New Mexico star Cameron Bairstow and scion of a prominent hoops family down under, Bairstow has made steady progress under Odom.
With a great feel for halfcourt offense, patience and creativity with the ball in his hands, and an improving outside shot, Bairstow is a great fit as a forward in Odom’s offense. Outside of his junior season, Bairstow is a solid 37.6% career shooter from deep. Two years ago, he shot just six of 48 (a startling 12.5%) from deep, but last season, Bairstow bounced back with a career-high 32 deep balls and made them at a 38.6% rate, also the best of his career. He handed out 92 assists against 51 turnovers a year ago, and has evolved into an important secondary facilitator. “I think that a lot of people think he’s just a typical athletic kid that just lives off of that, but he sees the court well,” Shulga told the Utah Statesman last season. “You can just rely on him when the ball is in his hands.” Bairstow can score from all three levels, and will throw down some highlight-reel dunks. He’s also become clever at using his reach, footwork and athleticism defensively, and Bairstow will be counted on to keep up his efficient work as an example to his newer teammates.
| Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks) |
| 62.9 – Opponent Points Per Game (20th) |
| 0.974 – Assists Per Turnover (211th) |
| 0.416 – Free Throws Per Field Goal (10th) |
| 6.1 – 3FG Made Per Game (313th) |
| 22.2 – FT Attempts Per Game (23rd) |
Two wings with great size are coming aboard for Odom as freshmen this year; one an RVA local, and the other from Europe. Alphonzo ‘Fats’ Billups III is from Richmond and redshirted last season, then chose to remain with city and team despite the Rams’ coaching change. “I want to play basketball at the highest level, and I want to do that in front of my city. I know they love me, and I love the city back,” Billups told the Richmond Times-Dispatch this summer.
Rated as a borderline Top 100 prospect out of Varina High School, Billups turned down the likes of LSU, Florida and NC State to remain close to home – and he’s reportedly been instrumental in helping to lure VCU’s other Richmond-area additions back home to play for the Rams. Billups is a talent who affects the game in a variety of ways. He’s a versatile defender with good mobility to go with his superior length, and Billups should prove to be a shot-altering irritant for the perimeter players that he guards. Billups has added a good bit of strength during his redshirt year, and ought to be ready for A-10 competition after arriving on campus weighing about 170 pounds. He’s not yet a finished product offensively, but Billups can spot up to make perimeter shots, and uses his athleticism and reach to score around the lane.
Michael Belle has the look of another similarly disruptive presence defensively on the wing. The British youngster has been playing with a pro team in France, and brings that experience as well as international experience with Team Britain this summer at the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. He’s growing into a more confident scorer, and has the defensive ability to get some minutes right away.
VCU’s top returnee is point guard Zeb Jackson, who averaged 17.4 minutes and 5.2 points last year. A big, long, active defender, Jackson knows the Havoc and will remind his new buddies that the Rams play defense first and foremost. Despite his reserve role, Jackson has also proven to be a capable ballhandler and dribble-drive threat offensively. Jackson has great size and a good handle, and has run some of the same sets opposite Shulga quite well so far in summer practices and during VCU’s exhibition trip to Greece. A former Michigan transfer, Jackson knows how to get to the line and last season, knocked down 77.1% of his freebies. He’s also worked hard this summer to make his jumper into a real weapon. If he can do so, it would be helpful, because Jackson made just over 20% on all of his attempts away from the rim last season, per Bart Torvik, and non-shooting guards are a tougher sell in Odom’s offense than they were for Mike Rhoades. Jackson’s sticky defense and ability to guard multiple positions make him very versatile, though, and with Jackson and Shulga on the floor as a backcourt pairing, VCU will have tremendous size. “Zeb’s quickness and his ability to play defense, he might be one of the best defenders I’ve seen in my three years of college,” Shulga said of his new teammate this summer. “The way he guards me in practice, I wouldn’t want that to be my matchup in the game.”
Though he isn’t a stranger to RVA, Jason Nelson is new to the Rams. The former Richmond Spider is a local product from John Marshall High School in Richmond, and after his zesty same-city, same-conference transfer, Nelson will be counted on as one of Odom’s top guards this year. “Jason has obviously gotten off to a great start in the Atlantic 10,” Odom declared upon Nelson signing with the Rams. “He’s got dynamite quickness, he’s a floor general in a lot of ways, and is excited to be a part of this program. He’s a guy who can really get others involved. He can beat the defense getting to the basket. He’s a willing passer and a knockdown guy from the perimeter as well.” Nelson can get his own shot, and is confident putting it on the floor. If possible, he and Jackson will both try to do fewer Nick Kerns impersonations this year.
A capable facilitator, Nelson played both on and off the ball for the Spiders, and though his role decreased as his freshman season wore on, Odom likes the youngster’s aggressiveness and creativity. Likely to be seen coming off of VCU’s bench to start, Nelson should be the primary ballhandler for some of his minutes. Nelson will look to drive the scoring when he’s out there, and show that he’s ready to be a reliable, big-minute shooter and playmaker. Former Virginia Tech, George Washington, and Oklahoma guard Joe Bamisile will join the rotation next year, as the NCAA has denied his waiver request for this season. Owner of a 9.6 point career scoring average, Bamisile was selected third-team All-Atlantic 10 just two years ago, and will be a significant addition to Odom’s roster when he’s allowed to play.
| Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on |
| vs Memphis – December 6 |
| N – Iowa State – November 23 |
| N – Boise State / Virginia Tech – November 24 |
| vs Temple – December 16 |
| N – TBD – ESPN Events Invitational – November 25 |
Odom has had to replace all four of the Rams’ top post players from a year ago. While there is not a tremendous amount of proven production arriving in the paint this season, VCU’s new staff are confident that they’ve got pieces which fit and guys who are hungry to step forward into prominent roles. Roosevelt Wheeler played the past two seasons for Louisville, but didn’t play much. The former Top 100 recruit averaged 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in less than eight minutes per contest as a Cardinal. Even as last season turned ghastly for the ‘Ville, and Kenny Payne was throwing just about everything at the wall in hopes that something would stick, Wheeler couldn’t carve out a prominent role. So, the Richmond product (he played with Nelson at Marshall H.S) transferred back home, and is looking to jump-start his career wearing black and gold. “He sprints the court. He’s a great athlete,” Odom said in a statement announcing Wheeler’s signing with the Rams. “He’s a guy that can be a physical presence for us inside both on offense and defense, something that we will definitely need this coming season, and we’re excited to get him home to play in front of his mom and friends and family.”
The young pivot had to miss his senior season of high school basketball after suffering a torn Achilles and undergoing surgery, and thus Wheeler wasn’t able to start out as strongly in Louisville as he had hoped. Coming in as a freshman, Wheeler was touted as one of the best rim-runners and most active rebounders in his class, and he can still get end to end in a hurry. Wheeler is not a perimeter-focused big, and should comfortably occupy a spot as one of Odom’s most effective screeners. The more consistent work he does, the more often Wheeler will see lobs from VCU’s guards, and his energy on the glass will be vitally important on a team that’s replacing so much veteran know-how in the paint. If Roosevelt can return to being the intimidating shot blocker he was in high school, it would also be a boon. VCU ranked 32nd nationally with 4.6 blocks per game last season, but the players responsible for 145 of the team’s 160 rejections have gone.
After spending four years mostly languishing on some awful Cal teams, veteran forward Kuany Kuany is excited to be joining a program which has won big as consistently as VCU has. Despite this being a transition year, the veteran forward is out to help the Rams succeed this winter anyway. “We are so pleased Kuany decided to join our program at VCU. He will bring experience, an excellent skill set, and an extreme desire to win,” says Odom, who will certainly lean upon the fifth-year forward’s proven ability as a secondary scorer. Kuany has great length and good lateral quickness at his size, and can score in the lane or from the outside. Though not a particularly physical defender, Kuany is highly mobile and his experience combined with an 80.6% free throw rate the past couple of seasons should keep him on the floor consistently. The past two seasons, Kuany started 42 games and averaged 21.4 minutes per tilt, scoring 7 points with 3.2 rebounds per game, but that should be the floor of expectations this year. As injuries forced him to play a more prominent role for Cal, he scored in double figures 17 times last year. With his developed perimeter game, Kuany should mesh well with Shulga and Bairstow. Though he’s yet to shoot a great percentage from deep, Kuany has knocked down 43 triples over the past couple of years, and most of that production came under tremendous duress. Kuany was one of the only Golden Bears capable of putting the ball through the net down the stretch run of last season’s injury-marred disaster of a season in Berkeley, and Odom hopes that he will be that much more effective playing with some teammates who already have a genuine synergy.
Two of this year’s bigs were youngsters on the roster last year; they just happened to be buried on the depth chart. Toibu ‘Tobi’ Lawal and Christian Fermin have the size and skill to help out, and Odom is hoping that their non-descript freshman campaigns will translate into real production as sophomores. Lawal is a long and wiry forward from London, England who has some of the skills that are so the rage in this current scene of college basketball. Lawal has quick feet and some bounce, and he can use his length inside or to even greater effect defensively outside the lane. He can really get up to flush a lob or snag a rebound that has caromed away, and Odom is looking for consistency from Lawal with those most immediate responsibilities. Lawal knows that his new teammates will be looking for him, too. “He can jump out the gym, you can throw him the ball anywhere around the backboard area and he’ll go jump and get it and dunk it,” Shulga said with a grin this summer while speaking to reporters. Though he averaged just 5.5 minutes to start out, Lawal has also shown the form to soon confidently stick jumpers if left alone. As his awareness and role grow, Lawal should have a significant impact as a mobile and disruptive defender, and he seems to have real potential as a scorer who can cash in around the rim and also lure his defender out towards the arc.
Fermin is a bigger player, and put in a solid summer of strength training. As the team’s #2 pivot, Fermin has shown in practices and then in Greece that he’s energetic on the boards, which should be a good ticket to steady minutes. He should help on the offensive glass, and though Fermin isn’t a highly-developed scorer just yet, he can stuff a putback and defend the rim. He walked on and then redshirted last year, but Obi Okafor may actually get the chance to contribute this season. He’s got the size to make an impact, and with VCU’s post depth an injury or two away from potential ruin, Odom will want to see what Okafor has to offer.
With nearly everything being new, VCU won’t be quite as powerful this year as at some times in the past. The A-10 will feature some solid contenders as well. And despite the Rams’ talented foursome of veteran starters, this is a team which will have to establish an identity all their own to carry forward.
And yet, if Shulga and Bairstow can form a quick rapport with the Richmond kids on Odom’s first team, the Rams have a good deal of potential. Billups has been waiting to re-debut for the home fans, and with so many familiar names coming aboard looking for a fresh start, VCU has a positive outlook that things are about to start getting better. They might not get off to as jaunty a start as some VCU squads, but this group of Rams will surely have Broad Street rocking again soon.
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