NCAA Profile: Cal State Bakersfield

Team: Cal State-Bakersfield Roadrunners (or CSU Bakersfield or Bakersfield)

Conference: Western Athletic Conference

Coach: Rod Barnes

Record: 24-8, 11-3 in conference

KenPom Rank: 95

Good wins: Over New Mexico State in the WAC final.

Impact Players: Former Ole Miss and Georgia State coach Rod Barnes has taken the formerly independent Roadrunners into the NCAA Tournament behind the strengths of diminutive guard Dedrick Basile (5'1)", but an effective scorer who forces turnovers) and center Aly Ahmed. Those two and win Kevin Mays each score 12-13 points per game.

How did they get in?: Dedrick Basile's last-second three pointer off the dribble game CSU-B their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

How far can this team go in the NCAA Tournament?: A cute story, and a top-25 defense by adjusted metrics, will not earn this 15-seed a win. They played a middling schedule - with two non-Division I teams on it - and got crushed by Arizona State and Saint Mary's. First round knockout.

Last time in the NCAA Tournament: NEVER.