<
>
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Get ESPN+

Bracket Projection: Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Rams entered the season with a national ranking and high expectations, along with corresponding pressure for the first time in many years. The Rams played a challenging non-conference schedule and battled through injuries to key players, eventually putting it all together down the stretch and finishing the regular season at 21-9. Squarely on the bubble, URI handled its business at the Atlantic 10 tournament in Pittsburgh and left no doubt. The Rams won the league's automatic bid after vanquishing St. Bonaventure, Davidson and then VCU in the Championship and find themselves in the NCAA field for the first time since Lamar Odom led the program there in 1999. Rhode Island has now won eight straight and one of the hottest teams in the nation entering the NCAA tournament.

ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams to help you make smart picks in your bracket.