A Checklist for the Rhode Island Rams to Make the NCAA Tournament
Given their heartbreaking loss at home on February 10, 2017, there a few standards that the Rhode Island Rams need to meet to have a realistic opportunity to make the NCAA tournament. All of these requirements go hand-in-hand.
1. They must win go 6-0 in their final 6 games. With such a weak Atlantic 10 conference and 4 games against mediocre opponents left, there is no way around this one. A win at home against VCU is essential for the Rhode Island resume. Next, a win at a struggling La Salle Explorers team would help Rhody as they try to best align themselves for the Atlantic 10 tournament. Lastly, any loss to any of the teams besides VCU (arguably La Salle too) would be considered a bad loss and likely, the crippling blow to URI's hopes for an at-large bid.
2. Depending on how things pan out around the conference and around the country, URI will need to win at least 1 game in Atlantic 10 tournament at at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (assuming they are a top four seed and get a double-bye). Beyond an initial win, a second win, which would theoretically be in the semifinals of the A10 tournament, would make the Rams feel a lot more comfortable on Selection Sunday. Above all else, winning the entire Atlantic 10 tournament would obviously be brilliant since it would mean an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
3. This is the most obvious fact but it should be pointed out that with the most competitive/weakest bubble picture in recent history, numerous teams currently on the bubble need to continually lose from now until Selection Sunday. (Article coming right after this on who those teams are)
