Virginia Commonwealth University's basketball team will face two of its former coaches this season.

The Rams will play against Oklahoma and coach Jeff Capel on Dec. 20 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. Capel coached at VCU for four seasons before taking over the Sooners for the 2006-07 season. He was replaced by Anthony Grant, who has taken the Rams to the NCAA tournament and the National Invitation Tournament in his two seasons. Oklahoma (23-12 last year) likely will be ranked in the preseason.

Capel's VCU predecessor, Mack McCarthy, coaches East Carolina. The Rams will play there Nov. 25. McCarthy coached VCU for four seasons.

VCU's 12-game nonconference schedule includes a visit to Richmond, four games in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico and one on the road in ESPN's Bracketbusters series. The Rams will take on New Mexico (24-9) in the Cancun Challenge and either Drake (28-5) or Vanderbilt (26-8).

VCU also has nonconference games against Rhode Island (21-12) and Western Michigan (20-12). The Rams' Colonial Athletic Association schedule includes home games against Old Dominion on Jan. 17 and George Mason on Jan. 24. - Tim Pearrell

VCU BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Nov. - 7, Virginia Union (exhibition); 12, Virginia State (exhibition); 16, The Citadel (Cancun Challenge); 19, South Dakota State (Cancun Challenge); 22, at Rhode Island; 25, at East Carolina; 29, New Mexico (Cancun Challenge), Cancun, Mexico; 30, Drake or Vanderbilt (Cancun Challenge), Cancun, Mexico.

Dec. - 4, Western Michigan; 6, at William and Mary; 13, at Richmond; 17, Akron; 20, vs. Oklahoma in Oklahoma City; 27, Hampton.

Jan. - 3, at Delaware; 5, UNC Wilmington; 7, at Drexel; 10, Hofstra; 14, at Towson; 17, Old Dominion; 21, at Georgia State; 24, George Mason; 28, Northeastern; 31, at Hofstra.

Feb. - 4, at UNC Wilmington; 7, William and Mary; 11, James Madison; 14, at Old Dominion; 18, Delaware; 21, ESPN Bracketbusters (at opponent to be determined); 25, at James Madison; 28, Georgia State.

March - 6-9, CAA tournament at Richmond Coliseum.