Taya Robinson, left, and Na’Shon \"Bones\" Hyland, right.
Taya Robinson, left, and Na’Shon "Bones" Hyland lead the VCU women's and men's basketball teams into their respective NCAA tournaments beginning this weekend. (VCU Athletics)

March 17, 2021

A VCU guide to the 2021 NCAA tournaments

For the first time in more than a decade, the men’s and women’s basketball teams are dancing in the same year. Here’s a primer ahead of their next games.

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By James Irwin

For the first time since 2009, the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s and men’s basketball teams have qualified for their respective NCAA tournaments in the same year. The men will play the University of Oregon on Saturday and the women face Indiana University on Monday. 

As with the regular season and conference tournaments, the 2021 NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments will look different this year. The men’s tournament will take place at various sites throughout Indiana with the championship game being held in Indianapolis; the women’s tournament will be held at locations in San Antonio, Austin and San Marcos, Texas, with the Final Four and title game taking place at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Here’s a look at how VCU got here and who to watch as the Rams begin a pair of unusual championship tournaments. 

The VCU women's basketball team celebrates its win in the Atlantic 10 championship game.
The VCU women's basketball team celebrates its win in the Atlantic 10 championship game on Sunday. (VCU Athletics)

Women win first Atlantic 10 title, will face Indiana 


It already has been a historic season for VCU’s women’s basketball program. On Sunday, the Rams won their first Atlantic 10 championship, beating the University of Massachusetts. That victory secured VCU an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, and on Monday, the Rams learned they would face Indiana in the first round on March 22. 

VCU enters the NCAA tournament with a record of 16-10. Senior guard and Richmond native Taya Robinson leads the team in scoring at 14.7 points a game — one of three Rams averaging at least 10 points per contest. Robinson was named the A-10 tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She and freshman guard Sarah Te-Biasu combined to score 38 points in VCU’s win over UMass. 

The Rams are peaking as they enter the NCAA tournament. A Valentine’s Day loss to the University of Dayton left them with a record of 9-9. Since then, they are 7-1, and they won four straight to capture the A-10 title last week.

Watch: VCU vs. Indiana, Monday, March 22, 2 p.m., ESPNU 

Bones Hyland drives to the hoop during VCU's game vs. Dayton earlier this season.
Bones Hyland drives to the hoop during VCU's game vs. Dayton earlier this season. (VCU Athletics)

Men earn at-large bid 


Meanwhile, the VCU men’s basketball team will face Oregon on Saturday in the opening round of the men’s NCAA tournament. Behind fourth-year coach Mike Rhoades and A-10 Player of the Year Na’Shon "Bones" Hyland, the Rams placed second in the A-10 this season and reached the league’s championship game before falling to St. Bonaventure University.

This will be VCU’s 12th NCAA tournament appearance since 2004. Hyland, a sophomore, led the A-10 in scoring this year at 19.5 points a game. Sophomore forward Hason Ward and freshman guard Adrian Baldwin Jr. were among the league leaders in blocks and steals, respectively. The Rams were steady all season, finishing 19-7 overall. They are 6-0 in games following a loss. 

Watch: VCU vs. Oregon, Saturday, March 20, 9:57 p.m., TNT