It's looking like a lonely dance floor in Virginia this March, as the commonwealth's basketball teams have been largely unremarkable this season.

The exception has been VCU, which provided an emphatic statement in a 90-49 victory over the Richmond Spiders, as the Rams students chanted "We are Richmond" in the final minutes of the blowout.

With the win, VCU rose to No. 42 nationally in the all-important NET rankings that the NCAA selection committee leans on. That provides a little room for error, but not much — teams in the 50s are often left at home when the bracket is drawn up.

The problem for the Rams from here on in won't be getting quality wins, but avoiding bad losses. They passed the first test against Richmond (NET ranking 255 out of 364), and will have to do so again Tuesday night against La Salle (No. 181).

The next "big game" in Richmond probably won't be until Feb. 22, when surprise contender George Mason visits town. Treading water is the name of the game until then, and here's what it will take for VCU to do so:

Continued offensive improvement by the Brits

Michael Belle and Luke Bamboye both grew up in London, but are in the states hoping to hone their basketball skills.

They've provided important defensive boosts this season, with Bamboye, a freshman, emerging as a skilled shot blocker in the Mo Alie-Cox mold. But a combined 13 points from the duo on Saturday raises hope that they can contribute on the offensive end as well.

Keeping Phillip Russell in check

Tuesday night's hometown game in Saint Louis went poorly for Russell, a fifth-year transfer who has a propensity for fouling. His foul troubles earlier this season were part of the reason VCU didn't land on the national radar sooner.

It seemed like he had found a way to toe the line in January, but took a step backwards in the game against Saint Louis, and got a technical foul on Saturday in the second half.

"Phil understands what he needs to do," VCU coach Ryan Odom said. "We're pretty deep into the season at this point. He knows how he's helping us win. He shoots the ball, he handles the ball, he defends, and he's a pest on the other end. He's an important player for us."

Continue riding Max Shulga

It seems that Shulga isn't destined to become a fan favorite like other VCU stars. Perhaps that's because this year's team has local standouts like Joe Bamisile sharing the spotlight, perhaps it's that Shulga isn't demonstrative after 3-point baskets.

Whatever the reason, he's one of the very best players in college basketball right now, and the Rams will continue to go as far as he takes them this spring.

Hang on to Odom?

Rumor season starts early when teams are bad, and up the road in Charlottesville, the University of Virginia is bad this year. Coach Tony Bennett left before the season started, and interim coach Ron Sanchez will need some wins just to make the ACC Tournament, which is excluding the league's bottom-three teams for the first time this year.

It's no secret who many Wahoo fans want — Odom's dad was an assistant at Virginia in the 80's, and a three-time ACC coach of the year at Wake Forest.

That'll sort itself out in time, but for now, VCU will try to get Ryan Odom his first NCAA tournament appearance in black and gold.

(VCU is a sponsor of The Richmonder, but did not influence or review this story.)