NCAA basketball: Rams relishing role as surprise of NCAA tourney

Virginia Commonwealth guard Brandon Rozzell, center, celebrates with teammates after a third-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game against Purdue in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Virginia Commonwealth beat Purdue 94-76.

Jim Prisching, Associated Press

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Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart talks with Bradford Burgess (20) on the sideline in the second half of a second-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game against Georgetown in Chicago, Friday, March 18, 2011.

Jim Prisching, Associated Press

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Virginia Commonwealth guard Joey Rodriguez gestures after a 3-pointer in the second half of a third-round NCAA Southwest Regional tournament college basketball game against Purdue in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Virginia Commonwealth won 94-76.

Jim Prisching, Associated Press

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Virginia Commonwealth’s head coach Shaka Smart, during a news conference for the Southwest regional third round NCAA tournament college basketball game Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Chicago. VCU plays Purdue Sunday.

Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press

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Virginia Commonwealth guard Bradford Burgess (20) shoots a 3-pointer against Purdue guard John Hart (32) in the second half of a third-round NCAA Southwest regional tournament college basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, March 20, 2011.

Jim Prisching, Associated Press

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Virginia Common Wealth’s Joey Rodriguez, right, laughs with teammate Brandon Rozzell, during a news conference for the Southwest regional third round NCAA tournament college basketball game Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Chicago. VCU plays Purdue Sunday.

Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press

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RICHMOND, Va. — VCU has sent a string of major programs home from the NCAA tournament when there was some feeling the Rams had no business even being invited.

The Rams have beaten Southern Cal, Georgetown and Purdue, which VCU ousted in a stunningly lopsided 94-76 runaway.

Rams forward Bradford Burgess says the stinging words of TV commentators when they were selected still reverberate in the Rams' heads, and motivate them to show who they are in the games.

In a tournament that has been chock full of games that went down to the wire, the Rams three victories are one more than anyone else. And they are doing it in impressive fashion.

Their average margin of victory is more than 16 points.

Next up is Florida State Friday night in San Antonio.

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