PITTSBURGH -- Almost one year ago to the day he was introduced as VCU's new head coach, Phil Martelli Jr. has VCU at the top of the Atlantic Ten once again, beating Dayton in Sunday's title game 70-62 and securing the Rams' 10th NCAA appearance in the last 13 years.
"Winning a championship is really hard," Martelli said after the win. "It's why we cut down nets. It's why we hang banners... To think about where we were last March 27 until now, yeah, it's pretty special."
The Rams got 17 points and 11 rebounds from freshman Nyk Lewis and another 14 from Terrence Hill Jr., who was named tournament MVP. VCU built a 15-point halftime lead and never trailed against the Flyers, whom they have now beaten three times this season.
VCU wins another @A10MBB championship 70-62 over Dayton, the Rams third title in the past four years (all under different head coaches)@VCU_Hoops @VCUAthletics @CBS6 pic.twitter.com/IaKzsHNxCF
— Lane Casadonte (@LaneCtvsports) March 15, 2026
This is VCU's third A-10 championship in the last four years; all won by a different head coach (Mike Rhoades, Ryan Odom, Martelli Jr.). Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin made all three hires and continues the string of success at the Siegel Center.
"I've known Phil since he was 24," McLaughlin said. "I've always known him to be an unbelievable connector of people."
The Rams' roster had 9 new faces from last year's group that cut down the nets in Washington D.C. Two that stayed were Hill and former St. Christopher's standout Brandon Jennings, who were counted on to help bring an almost entirely new roster together.
Your 2026 @A10MBB champs @VCU_Hoops pic.twitter.com/BZ7YdMyvdc
— Lane Casadonte (@LaneCtvsports) March 15, 2026
"I knew it would be hard," Jennings admitted. "But I knew Ed (McLaughlin) would put together a great squad, starting with the head coach. Martelli has been great rallying us together."
"We battled every day in practice," added Hill. "We fought, cussed each other out. It speaks to the maturity of our team. We've got a lot of leaders out there."
"His (Martelli's) way with people makes all the difference in the world," McLaughlin continued. "I knew he'd be good and could see all year long it would be special."
"All I wanted for my players was to climb that ladder and cut down a piece of the net in their uniform," Martelli admitted. "I never got to do it (as a player) and I wanted it for all of them."
Mission accomplished.
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