Not so long ago, Virginia Commonwealth University basketball was sailing along smoothly. Now the Rams have hit choppy waters.

Agonizing, back-to-back losses at the University of Richmond (67-63 in double overtime) and at home against the University of Dayton (59-55) have knocked the Rams out of the national poll and the Atlantic 10 Conference lead.

VCU enters its Thursday, March 5, date at Davidson College in a must-win situation regarding the league’s regular season title and with a first-round A-10 Conference tournament bye in question. Only the top four institutions receive byes into the tournament quarterfinals.

VCU started the week 21-8 overall and 11-5 in the A-10. Dayton, Davidson and the University of Rhode Island have four losses.

The University of Richmond and the University of Massachusetts have six losses, but UR holds the tie-breaker over VCU.

The Rams’ losses to UR and Dayton boiled down to the final possession. Each time, Rams’ senior star Treveon Graham was called on for the make-it-or-break-it shot.

Graham’s 2-pointer to tie during a second overtime against UR was partially blocked. His 3-pointer to win against Dayton rimmed out, and Mo Alie-Cox’s hurried follow-up misfired. Graham had 12 points, on 4-for-14 shooting. Alie-Cox had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Statistics from the Dayton game revealed VCU’s signa- ture “Havoc” pressure defense had lost its teeth — at least temporarily. The Rams scored just three points off turnovers and had no points on fast breaks against Dayton.

Missing the last two games was 6-foot-9 freshman Mi- chael Gilmore, who went home to Jacksonville, Fla., for the funeral of his father, Earl Gilmore, 65. Earl Gilmore is the brother of NBA great Artis Gilmore.

Saturday will be Senior Day at the Siegel Center with Graham, back-up post player Jarred Guest and injured guard Briante Weber taking their final home bows. Weber underwent knee surgery last week and will not return to play.

During the threesome’s four years, VCU has gone 103- 33 overall, 50-16 in conference play and qualified for three NCAA playoffs.

Despite recent frustrations, the Rams seem a lock for another NCAA bid. VCU’s Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) was 19th in the nation starting the week, with a No. 7- ranked strength of schedule.