Why History Could Be on Rhody MBB's Side If They Get a #8 or a #9 Seed

As any men's college basketball team would desire, earning a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament is one of the central goals of a single season. For the Rhode Island men's basketball team, they are currently projected by some bracketologists to be a #8 or a #9 seed. Past history for the Rhode Island program has shown signs of success in a limited sample size. In 1993, the Rams were a #8 seed in the Big Dance and they beat #9 Purdue, 74-68. In 1997, they were the #9 seed in a rematch with #8 Purdue and they lost, 83-76. Just one season later, they advanced to the Elite Eight after being chosen as one of four #8 seeds in the 1998 NCAA tournament. After a blowout win over #9 Murray State, they upset a #1-seeded Kansas team that had Paul Pierce leading them. Then, they handled their business against #13 Valparaiso before barely losing to #2 Stanford in their Midwest region.