Virginia Commonwealth University is headed back to the NCAA Tournament after securing the Atlantic 10 Championship, earning the No. 11 seed in the West Region. The Rams (28-6) will face sixth-seeded Brigham Young University (24-9) Thursday afternoon in Denver in the tournament’s first round.

VCU clinched its spot in the “Big Dance” on Sunday with a 68-63 victory over George Mason in the A-10 title game at Capital One Arena. It marks the Rams’ 20th NCAA Tournament appearance overall and their 14th since 2004. BYU, ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll, is led by first-year Coach Kevin Young. The Cougars reached the Big 12 Tournament semifinals before falling to No. 2 Houston. Forward Richie Saunders, a First Team All-Big 12 selection, leads BYU with 16 points per game. The Cougars rank 11th nationally in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com.

The only previous meeting between the two programs was in 1983, when BYU edged VCU 81-77 in the University of Kentucky Invitational. A-10 Championship Recap Jack Clark led VCU with 17 points and six rebounds, earning tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Max Shulga added 18 points, including a key late 3-pointer, while Joe Bamisile contributed 17 points.

The Rams built a 10-point lead midway through the second half, but George Mason trimmed the deficit to 59-58 with 2:27 remaining. Shulga answered with a step-back 3-pointer, and Luke Bamgboye’s two-handed putback dunk helped seal the win. VCU closed the game with clutch free throw shooting to secure its third A-10 title (2015, 2023, 2025).

With momentum from the A-10 Tournament, the Rams now turn their attention to BYU and the NCAA Tournament, looking to make another deep run.