Rhode Island is back in the NCAA tournament after an 18-year absence, and they had a special guest in the stands.
Better shot of @RealLamarOdom in the house rooting on @RhodyMBB #marchmadness pic.twitter.com/UUCkVD0iOE
— Joe Kayata (@NBC10_Joe) March 17, 2017
The last time the Rams played in the Big Dance, Odom had a big part to play in getting them there. In the conference tournament final against Temple back in 1999, Odom’s pull-up jumper at the buzzer propelled the Rams to the tourney.
While Odom was enrolled at URI during the 1997-98 school year, the team went to the Sweet 16 without him. Odom was forced to sit out that season after transferring from UNLV.
On his return, he would lead the Rams to their first conference tournament championship in school history. History has repeated itself this season as URI won the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Rams are certainly hoping they won’t repeat the NCAA tourney performance of Odom’s Rams however. That team got bounced in the first round.