Bracket projection: VCU
After reaching the Final Four last year, the Rams shouldn't surprise
Note: ESPN's Joe Lunardi assigned a team of Bracketologists to put together Insider's Tournament Tips, offering historical analysis of the bracket and in-depth breakdowns on all 68 tournament teams to help you make smart picks.
Lunardi's Logic
I will say nothing but positive things about VCU for the rest of my career. The team that shocked us all a year ago is back for more, as coach Shaka Smart has rebuilt the Rams after losing four starters from last season's Final Four team. I'm not saying it won't be quite enough to get by Wichita State ... (but I am thinking it).
Plus, you can enlist the help of Insider's Bracket Predictor tool to aid your picks.
Once the action starts, follow all the games on your desktop with our discreet RealTime Scoreboard.
VCU's complete Bracketology chart
Take a look inside the data used by the selection committee in seeding the bracket:
To get an edge in picking your bracket that includes a breakdown of VCU's offensive and defensive strategy and analysis of player strengths and weaknesses, you must be an ESPN Insider.
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Insider NCAA Tournament Guide

Joe Lunardi and his team of analysts have broken down every NCAA tournament team's strengths, weaknesses and player tendencies.
EAST REGION
- 1. Syracuse vs. 16. UNC Asheville
- 2. Ohio State vs. 15. Loyola (Md.)
- 3. Florida State vs. 14. St. Bonaventure
- 4. Wisconsin vs. 13. Montana
- 5. Vanderbilt vs. 12. Harvard
- 6. Cincinnati vs. 11. Texas
- 7. Gonzaga vs. 10. West Virginia
- 8. Kansas State vs. 9. Southern Mississippi
MIDWEST REGION
- 1. North Carolina vs. 16. Lamar or Vermont
- 2. Kansas vs. 15. Detroit
- 3. Georgetown vs. 14. Belmont
- 4. Michigan vs. 13. Ohio
- 5. Temple vs. 12. Cal or South Florida
- 6. San Diego State vs. 11. N.C. State
- 7. Saint Mary's vs. 10. Purdue
- 8. Creighton vs. 9. Alabama
SOUTH REGION
- 1. Kentucky vs. 16. Mississippi Valley State or Western Kentucky
- 2. Duke vs. 15. Lehigh
- 3. Baylor vs. 14. South Dakota State
- 4. Indiana vs. 13. New Mexico State
- 5. Wichita State vs. 12. VCU
- 6. UNLV vs. 11. Colorado
- 7. Notre Dame vs. 10. Xavier
- 8. Iowa State vs. 9. UConn
WEST REGION
- 1. Michigan State vs. 16. LIU-Brooklyn
- 2. Missouri vs. 15. Norfolk State
- 3. Marquette vs. 14. BYU or Iona
- 4. Louisville vs. 13. Davidson
- 5. New Mexico vs. 12. Long Beach State
- 6. Murray State vs. 11. Colorado State
- 7. Florida vs. 10. Virginia
- 8. Memphis vs. 9. Saint Louis
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- Insider: Marquette reloading with freshmen
