Junior guard Vinnie Shahid erupted for 20 of his team-high 22 points in the second half to lead the North Dakota State Bison to a 10-point win over Omaha in the Summit League's cut-down-the-nets game, punching its NCAA tournament ticket in the process. No one saw this coming for David Richman's team, which started the season 2-7, including a 42-point loss to then-No.1 Gonzaga. But North Dakota State, a school known more for its football prowess (see Wentz, Carson) than its hoops accomplishments, grew up over time and will be making its first trip to the Big Dance since 2015. Will the Bison, who are playing their best basketball of the season, pull off a first-round stunner?
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.
