2011 – 12 VCU Rams men 's basketball team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2011 – 12 NCAA Division I men 's basketball season . It was the 44th season of the University fielding a men 's basketball program . Led by third-year head coach Shaka Smart , the Rams were coming off a season marked by a run to the Final Four . Expected to finish lower in the CAA regular season standings , the Rams finished as regular season runners-up with a 15 – 3 conference record , before winning the 2012 CAA Men 's Basketball Championship against Drexel , 59 – 56 , earning their 11th ever berth into the NCAA Tournament . It was also the first season since 1984 – 85 that the Rams consecutively qualified for the NCAA Tournament
2012 CAA Men 's Basketball Championship
2012 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament
2011–12 VCU Rams men's basketball team