NCAA at 75 - College Basketball

37. First Four no more

Many national pundits questioned Virginia Commonwealth's inclusion in the 2011 tournament after the Rams went 12-6 in CAA play. The program used that skepticism as fuel for one of the most magical runs in NCAA tourney history. "Our guys have done a phenomenal job putting all the doubters aside, putting all the people that didn't believe in us aside, and going out and doing their job," coach Shaka Smart told reporters after his team defeated Kansas 71-61 in the Elite Eight. The Rams started in the First Four and won five consecutive games to reach the Final Four in Houston, where they were stopped by another Cinderella called Butler. -- Myron Medcalf

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