Fans of Loyola-Chicago's Sister Jean are no doubt crushed the Ramblers won't get a chance to reprise last season's magical Final Four run, but that plot line certainly plays in Peoria, Illinois, where Bradley is set for its first trip to the NCAA tournament since coach Jim Les' club reached the Sweet 16 in 2006. The Braves overcame an ugly January stretch that featured five consecutive losses to charge home 9-2 and grab the Missouri Valley Conference automatic bid.
Included in their conference tournament run was a victory over Loyola in the semis, which Bradley followed by overcoming an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat Northern Iowa in the title game. What's next for this opportunistic bunch?
ESPN+ 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.