Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball Rams aren’t dancing yet. But they can hear the band warming up.

Atlantic-10 Conference Coach of the Year Mike Rhoades and the Rams, 19-6, is one win shy of the NCAA’s Big Dance as it travels to the University of Dayton for the A-10 Tournament final against St. Bonaventure on Sunday, March 14.

A victory over the Bonnies will send VCU straight into the NCAA draw. Even with a loss, the Rams are contenders for an at-large berth to college basketball’s liveliest party.

No Ph.D. required: One doesn’t need a “Dr.” in front of their name to see Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland forms the backbone of this year’s team.

The scintillating 6-foot-3 sophomore from Wilmington, Del., averages 20 points per game and put on an oh-my-gosh show to remember in the A-10 quarterfinals against the University of Dayton.

After missing two games with a sprained foot, Hyland dramatically returned with arguably the best individual performance in more than 50 years and 1,500 games of black and gold history.

Foiling former VCU and now Dayton Coach Anthony Grant, Hyland dazzled with 30 points — 22 in the first half — 10 rebounds and three assists. The Flyers had no answer as Hyland did what he wanted when he wanted.

Even such Rams backcourt legends as Jesse Dark, Gerald Henderson, Ed Sherod, Calvin Duncan and Eric Maynor would be hard pressed to top that.

A-10 rubber match: VCU de- feated St. Bonaventure 67-64 in Richmond on Feb. 12 after losing at the school in New York State 70-54 on Jan. 20.

Bench bunch: As usual, the Rams’ substitutes made a significant difference, outscoring Davidson College reserves 25-10.

Freshman Jamir Watkins, wearing jersey No. 0, has been anything but a nobody. The 6-foot-7 Trenton, N.J., native had 10 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes. On the season, Watkins is third in scoring behind Hyland and Vince Williams.

VCU’s backups are operating without Tre Clark, who left the team in early February, and KeShawn Curry, who is still attending to personal matters in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.

Also, ultratalented Jarren McAllister, the dunk contest winner in the black and gold scrimmage, was lost for the season in November with a knee injury.

Dayton again: On March 16, 2011, VCU opened its famous Final Four run with a 59-46 win over Southern Cal in the NCAA First Four at Dayton.

From there, the Rams defeated Georgetown and Purdue universities in Chicago and Florida State University and University of Kansas in San Antonio before falling to Butler University in the semifinals in Houston.

Famous “feets": St. Bonaventure, too, lists a NCAA Final Four on its résumé. In 1970, the Bonnies, led by Bob Lanier, reached the semifinals in College Park, Md., before losing to star Artis Gilmore and the Jacksonville Dolphins.

Lanier, who wore size 22 Converse, later drew laughs for his role in the Miller Lite commercial with his “Famous Feets” line.

Packing the bags: As the Rams and the Bonnies make preparations for Dayton, they’re sure to pack their squeaky sneakers — and their dancing shoes, too. The fancy footin’ starts for real March 18 in Indianapolis.