What’s commonplace today in college basketball — an all-Black lineup—was head spinning a half century ago.

Virginia Commonwealth University, located in the former capital of the Confederacy, made a bit of history during the 1970-71 season by putting an all-Black lineup on the basketball court.

The Rams, along with Florida State and Western Kentucky universities that same season, are believed to be the first majority-white schools in the South to field five Black starters.

Under first-year Coach Chuck Noe, the Rams went 15-9 with an often first five of Charles “Jabo” Wilkins (20.2 points per game), Greg McDougald (16.5 points per game), Charles Booker (11.2 points per game), Jesse Dark (10.7 points per game) and Reggie Cain (9.0 points per game).

Black reserve players included David Edwards, Howie Robertson, Bernard Harris and Cornell Jones, along with white players David Hobbs, Mike Fling, Barry Sudduth and Keith Lawson.

It’s important to note Don “Cisco” Ross, who set the program record for points in a game (55 points against Old Dominion), was sidelined his senior season in 1970-71 because of a back injury.

At the time, VCU was affiliated with NCAA Division II and NAIA. Full Division I status didn’t come until three seasons later.

That same year, VCU opened its “new” Franklin Street Gym with a homecoming victory over HBCU Bluefield State College.

On Dec. 28, 1970, the Rams recorded their first victory of national significance by upsetting visiting University of Minnesota in overtime at the Franklin Street Gym.

On Feb. 10, 1971, VCU defeated ODU 79-71 at home in the Rams’ first televised game through a local hookup with WWBT- Channel 12. The game aired on a delay following the 11 p.m. news.

Other Virginia schools were a bit slower in breaking the color line.

Charlie Lipscomb was Virginia Tech’s first Black player in 1969-70; Al Drummond was first at the University of Virginia in 1971-72; Carlton Mack was first at the University of Richmond in 1971-72; Charlie Tyler was the first at Virginia Military Institute in 1971-72; and Ron Satterthwaite was the trailblazer at the College of William & Mary in 1973-74.

In 1970-71, Coach John Oldham’s Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reached the NCAA Final Four with Black starters Jim McDaniels, Jim Rose, Clarence Glover, Jerry Dunn and Rex Bailey.

Also in 1970-71, Florida State went 17-9 with a Black lineup of Ron King, Reggie Royals, Vernell Ellzy, Rowland Garrett and Otto Petty.

Coach Hugh Durham’s Seminoles advanced to the NCAA Finals the next year, losing to UCLA.

VCU was still wet behind the ears in basketball in 1970-71. The team makeup was a mixture of returnees from 1969-70 and an extremely talented group of freshman, who actually began the season on VCU’s first and only freshman team.

Here’s a rundown of the “Runnin’ Rams” of 50 years ago:

• Charles “Jabo” Wilkins (senior, 6-foot-3, from Richmond’s Maggie L. Walker High School): Transferred to VCU from Fayetteville State and ranks with the program’s all-time scorers and rebounders.

• Greg McDougald (freshman, 6-foot-7, James Monroe High School in Bronx, N.Y.): The lefty was brilliant as a newcomer before transferring to Seminole Junior College in Florida and then to Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma.

• Charles Booker (senior 6-foot-7, Glassboro, N.J.): The transfer from Glassboro State was a steady force under the boards and later became a VCU assistant coach.

• Jesse Dark (freshman, 6-foot- 4, Maggie L. Walker High School): “Bodine,” famous for his gold tooth and powerful physique, became VCU’s first ever NBA draftee. He was picked in the second round by the New York Knicks in 1974.

• Reggie Cain (6-foot-2, freshman, James Monroe High, Bronx, N.Y.): Following a solid career with VCU, he became one of the area’s more prominent high school officials.

Edwards, also from New York City, quickly moved into the lineup and became one of the school’s all-time leaders in assists.

Robertson, another New Yorker, became a four-year regular under Coach Noe.

The 6-foot-10 Harris, from Roanoke, grew into being one of the program’s all-time performers and was drafted by the NBA’s Buffalo Braves in 1974.

Hobbs, a transfer from Ferrum College, became a VCU assistant coach under J.D. Barnett and later head coach at the University of Alabama.

In the previous season, 1969-70, VCU had just four Black players, Wilkins, Booker, Charles Chambliss and Ross.

The 1970-71 freshmen were first recruited to VCU by Coach Benny Dees. When Coach Dees left in the summer of 1970 to become an assistant coach at Western Kentucky, the prized freshmen then were successfully re-recruited by incoming Coach Noe. It was the start of something big. In the 50 years since, the Rams are 981-530 for a .649 winning percentage — the 12th best among all Division I schools.

Old-timers suggest the chain of success traces its roots to the “historical” season of 1970-71.