DENVER — VCU’s season has concluded, and it may also signal the end of the Ryan Odom era.
The Rams’ head coach has gained significant attention in the dynamic coaching landscape. After VCU’s 80-71 defeat to BYU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Denver on Thursday, he chose not to comment on his future with the team or any potential interviews with other institutions.
What Odom did convey, however, was his appreciation for the Atlantic 10 championship season he and his team experienced, which came to a close against the Cougars.
“I’m really proud of these guys and the season they’ve had. They brought a lot of joy to many people in Richmond and beyond,” Odom shared with reporters following the loss to BYU. “They certainly brought immense joy to our coaching staff and administration. With 28 wins, we can discuss this game all we want—it’s disappointing, but the overall performance of these players was truly impressive.
“Winning the conference tournament in such a high-pressure situation requires exceptional kids with great character, as well as a united team. I’m really proud of everyone in the locker room who has dedicated countless hours to help this team achieve its best potential. Just as I mentioned, credit goes to BYU. They played exceptionally well today and made the key plays needed to keep us at bay.”
The Rams and Cougars were closely matched for much of the first half, with the score tied at 24 after nearly 13 minutes of play.
However, BYU then surged, going on a 30-10 run over nine minutes, putting VCU in a challenging position that they couldn’t overcome, even as they fought hard to finish within nine points.
“That’s the nature of these games; runs play a crucial role,” Odom remarked. “It’s essential to limit those runs. They held the lead for just over eight minutes, while we led for a bit over seven in the first half, and that definitely contributed to the outcome. They went on a significant run in the second half that extended their lead to 20, but our guys fought back and tried to make it a contest.”
Although the Cougars are usually known for their three-point shooting, they focused more on interior scoring against the Rams, racking up 38 points in the paint—21 of which came from Fousseyni Traore and Keba Keita.
“They did an excellent job of attacking the paint off the dribble,” Odom noted. “They executed what we call ‘punches’ effectively, where they pass it to their bigs. They put us in some difficult situations. That’s why we started to trap the ball screen in the second half. They effectively cleared out the side and still managed to get the ball to Traore. They made crucial offensive plays around the rim.
“Of course, when facing BYU, there’s always a concern about their three-point shooting. They did hit some in the first half, but in the second half, they dominated the boards against us. Many of their baskets came from offensive rebounds and second-chance points.”
Furthermore, BYU effectively defended VCU, limiting the Rams to a shooting percentage of 41.3%, keeping star guard Max Shulga largely ineffective for most of the game and forcing 11 turnovers.
“The turnovers hurt us. We had a few instances of empty possessions,” Odom commented. “In a matchup like this against a top-notch team, we can’t afford those mistakes.”
Despite the early exit from the NCAA Tournament and Odom’s uncertain future in Richmond, it was an outstanding season for VCU, as they claimed both the regular season and conference tournament championships, achieving the second-highest number of wins in the program’s history with 28.
“Every team we are privileged to coach or be part of has one chance to make an impact. This team made the most of theirs,” Odom reflected. “The seniors played a significant role, along with the upperclassmen, the two who transferred in, and the three who stayed to finish here. They brought home championships, created memorable moments, delivered exciting plays, and showed great character. They excelled academically, with a team GPA of 3.29 in the first semester. There’s so much to be proud of. I feel truly fortunate to have been a part of it and to coach these remarkable players.”
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