Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball prospects are looking up — both short and long term.

The Rams have survived a challenging early schedule with an 8-3 record that includes a close 80-77 victory last Saturday over visiting Middle Tennessee State University.

The Blue Raiders came to Richmond with a 10-1 record and the nation’s ninth best RPI (power) ranking.

Upcoming VCU home games appear less demanding, with 7 p.m. tipoffs against the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Howard University on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

VCU has an overwhelming advantage at the raucous Siegel Center, where the Rams have enjoyed 88 consecutive sellouts. The Rams are favorites in Richmond almost no matter who the opponent might be. The Rams are 74-10 at the Siegel Center since the 2011-12 season.

And while factors may change, the only games left on VCU’s 31-game slate where the Rams might be the underdog are at the University of Rhode Island on Feb. 25 and at the University of Dayton on March 1.

VCU second-year Coach Will Wade has smoothly mixed a crop of inherited juniors and seniors from the Shaka Smart era with his own prized newcomers.

Guard JeQuan Lewis, one of six seniors, had 20 points against Middle Tennessee and leads in scoring — 15.4 points per game — while making 33 of 70 3-pointers for 42 percent.

If VCU continues to roll up victories, Lewis might be a candidate for Atlantic-10 Conference Player of the Year.

The Rams are excited about freshman De’Riante Jenkins and redshirt freshman Samir Doughty, both Coach Wade recruits.

Doughty had 14 points and Jenkins had nine against Middle Tennessee. Doughty is averaging 8.1 points in 23 minutes per game; Jenkins averages 5 points in 14 minutes per game.

A black and gold cavalry, of sorts, is en route for the Rams.

Slated to arrive next year to play for VCU are four highly touted freshmen, 6-foot-2 Lavar Batts, 6-foot-7 Marcus Santos-Silva, 6-foot-9 Sean Mobley and 6-foot-9 Mayan Kiir, plus 6-foot-5 transfer Issac Vann from Maine, where he was the leading scorer in 2015-16 with an average of 16.4 points per game.

ESPN has rated Coach Wade’s Class of 2017 as the 22nd best in the nation.

Coach Wade faced serious personnel issues after being named as Coach Smart’s successor in spring 2015. All three Coach Smart recruits — Tevin Mack, Jordan Murphy and Kenny Williams — asked for and were granted releases, and freshman standout Terry Larrier transferred to the University of Connecticut.

Mack is now the leading scorer at the University of Texas. Murphy and Williams are starting at the University of Minnesota and the University of North Carolina, respectively. Larrier was the leading scorer at the University of Connecticut before suffering a knee injury in the fourth game.

Scouting report: The University of Louisiana-Monroe of the Sun Belt Conference features junior guard Nick Coppola from Richmond’s Benedictine College Preparatory. Coppola averages 11.2 points per game while leading the Warhawks with 56 assists.

When MEAC affiliate Howard University visits VCU, the Bison likely will be missing injured guard James Daniel. The Hampton native led the NCAA in scoring last season, but has been sidelined this season.