As hard as it might be to imagine, Jeff Capel once was just another basketball coach, handing out resumés at the Final Four, hoping to land a job as an assistant coach somewhere, anywhere. Imagine that. Capel got a job as an assistant coach at VCU for the 2001-02 season. Then, he was promoted to head coach at VCU at the age of 27. He was the youngest Division I head coach in the country at the time.

Where: Siegel Center (cap. 7,500)
  Radio: WBBT 107.3
  Tickets: $15 adult, $10 youth
  Projected starting lineups:
  Notable: First meeting between VCU and Bethune-Cookman. The Rams were picked to finish third in the Colonial Athletic Association. Forward Larry Sanders needs seven blocked shots to replace Kendrick Warren (193) in third place on the career list. Marist transfer Jay Gavin makes his debut after sitting out last season. Bethune-Cookman is led by sophomore point guard C.J. Reed, the son of coach Clifford Reed Sr. He was the MEAC’s rookie of the year last season. The Wildcats, picked to finish fifth in the MEAC, went 17-16 last season. That was their first winning season in Division I.

Guard Rob Brandenberg has signed his letter of intent with the Virginia Commonwealth men’s basketball team. Brandenberg, 6-2, is from Gahanna Lincoln High outside Columbus, Ohio. “Rob is an explosive athlete who thrives in a fast-paced game,“ VCU coach Shaka Smart said in a release. “He handles and shoots it very well and has the ability to consistently make plays in the press.“

The Virginia Commonwealth University basketball team received a letter of intent today from Reco McCarter, a 6-7, 185-pound forward out of Wayne Country Day School in Goldsboro, N.C. The Rams’ other recruit, Rob Brandenberg, a 6-2 guard from Gahanna Lincoln High outside Columbus, is expected to sign his letter today as well. Today is the first day basketball recruits can sign.

In practice, Virginia Commonwealth basketball coach Shaka Smart puts 14 seconds on the shot clock. If the side that is on offense does not get up a shot in that time, it becomes a turnover. “If it’s your shot,“ VCU guard Brandon Rozzell, “we want it to go up.“

Of the many things Virginia Commonwealth’s Joey Rodriguez is as a basketball player—hustler, heady, emotional, feisty on defense, terrific 3-point shooter—there is one thing he is not: Eric Maynor. “I’m totally different,“ he said. Rodriguez will focus on being himself as he succeeds one of VCU’s all-time great players. Maynor was a do-it-all force who carried the Rams to two NCAA appearances in three seasons, an upset of Duke and a 76-25 record. He’s now in the NBA with the Utah Jazz.

Shaka Smart served as an assistant coach at Division II California University in Pennsylvania, so he’s well-aware of Virginia Union’s reputation as a powerhouse in the Division II world. Still, several people have made a point to remind Virginia Commonwealth’s new coach about the interest in the Rams’ annual exhibition game against Union next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Siegel Center.

Delaware basketball coach Monte Ross wanted to pass along a message to Virginia Commonwealth forward Larry Sanders. “Make sure you tell him that I picked him [for preseason Colonial Athletic Association player of the year],“ Ross said with a laugh. Sanders is a potential first-round NBA draft pick after this season. Ross wanted to make sure he didn’t provide the 6-11 junior with perceived ammunition after co-player-of-the-year honors went to Old Dominion senior forward Gerald Lee and Hofstra junior guard Charles Jenkins at yesterday’s CAA media gathering.

The Rams have four starters returning from last year’s 24-10 team that went to the NCAA tournament but will be without CAA player of the year Eric Maynor, now in the NBA.

The most fiercely combative player in Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball history, VCU’s lone WNBA first-round draft choice and the player who led the University of Richmond to its first NCAA tournament appearance have one thing in common today. All have been certified sterling by the Colonial Athletic Association. VCU standouts Kristine Austgulen and Quanitra Hollingsworth and Spiders icon Pam Bryant Jordan were among 25 players named yesterday by the CAA to its 25th anniversary women’s basketball team.

The list of schools recruiting Reco McCarter suggests new Virginia Commonwealth basketball coach Shaka Smart has landed quite a player. McCarter, a 6-7, 185-pound forward out of Wayne Country Day School in Goldsboro, N.C., committed to the Rams this week. His coach, Terry Jones, said Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Georgia, Auburn, George Washington and some other ACC schools were “sitting on the fence” waiting to see if McCarter would qualify academically.

Ronnie Black started off on the right foot on his high jump attempts this season at Virginia Commonwealth University. An ankle injury showed that he really was getting off on the wrong foot. The 6-4½ rising sophomore is scheduled to compete in the USA Junior National Track and Field championships this weekend in Eugene, Ore. He’ll be jumping off his left—and more natural—foot while trying to exceed the 6-10¾ mark he cleared during the season.

Virginia Commonwealth University men’s basketball assistant coach Bill Courtney is leaving after fewer than two months on the job to become an assistant at Virginia Tech. VCU AD Norwood Teague confirmed the move, saying that Courtney felt he could not pass up the opportunity to return to the ACC. Courtney did not return a message seeking comment. Tech coach Seth Greenberg said he could not comment.

Virginia Commonwealth men’s basketball assistant coach Bill Courtney is expected to leave after less than two months on the job to become an assistant at Virginia Tech.

Guard Joey Rodriguez is returning to the Virginia Commonwealth University basketball team. Reserve forward Franck Ndongo is not. VCU coach Shaka Smart said Rodriguez, who in mid-April had announced he was transferring to Division II Rollins College, has been cleared to rejoin the Rams. Rodriguez, a two-year starter and rising junior, averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals this past season while leading the Colonial Athletic Association in 3-point field goal percentage (.416).