Getting to know the 2011 Final Four teams: Virginia Commonwealth

This week, The Dagger takes a deeper look at each of the four universities participating in the 2011 Final Four. First up, VCU.

Location: Richmond, VA

Enrollment: 21,835 (56.4 percent female)

Team Mascot: Rams

How they got to Houston: d. USC (59-46), d. Georgetown (74-56), d. Purdue (94-76), d. Florida State (72-71), d. Kansas (71-61)

Greatest basketball moment: This. While making the Final Four is the unquestionable highlight of VCU's history, the school isn't without its NCAA tournament memories. In 1985, the first year of the 64-team field, the Rams entered March as a No. 2 seed. They didn't make it out of the first weekend though thanks to an upset loss at the hands of Alabama. The first-round win would be VCU's last until Eric Maynor hit a 15-footer to upset Duke in 2007.

Reason to root for them: This sign was hung during a rally sending the team off to San Antonio for the southwest regional. It refers to Dick Vitale's badmouthing of VCU's at-large bid.

Reason to root against them: Do we really want a national champion that has losses to Northeastern, Drexel, James Madison, Georgia State, South Florida and, ugh, Tennessee on its r�sum�?�

How the school dealt with Final Four appearance on its main website page: Top-billing, which is much more than the other three schools.

Most interesting sounding class on the school's 2010-2011 course register: Backpacking 201. "Emphasis will be given to the skills and knowledge necessary for safe, low-impact, short-to-moderate-duration travel through back country areas." With the offers sure to roll in after next week, Shaka Smart may be packing from VCU very soon.

Famous alumni: Hunter "Patch" Adams (famous clown-nose wearing doctor), Debbie Matenopoulos (former co-host of "The View"), Gwar (band)

Smart quote to make others think you've been following VCU all along: "If you want to get down to it, VCU's run to the Final Four really began at [the school's Nike-sponsored coaching conference] Villa 7 when [VCU athletic director] Norwood Teague first met Shaka Smart."

What not to say at your Final Four party: "VCU? Isn't that the Law & Order with Ice-T?"

What Clark Kellogg will probably say about VCU: "The team's escapability and effort will help in executing."

Chances of winning it all: Better than you think. The Rams won five games to get to Houston, including a convincing victory over tournament favorite Kansas. Are you going to doubt them?

Jim Nantz's most likely scripted line if they do: "They Shaka'd the world!"

Bridget Moynahan Noureen DeWulf Nicollette Sheridan Amber Heard Veronica Kay