On Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide will begin their run through March Madness, starting with a first round matchup against the Rhode Island Rams.
A showdown between the No. 6 and No. 11 seeds in Regional 3 – Fort Worth, Alabama and Rhode Island each enter March Madness coming off memorable regular seasons, the latter of which finished as both the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament champions.
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This will also be Alabama’s fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in as many years under head coach Kristy Curry, while Rhode Island is making a trip to March Madness for the first time since 1996.
Here is everything you should to know about the Rhode Island Rams ahead of the NCAA Tournament first round.
Rhode Island Rams 2025-26 overview
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Record: 28-4 overall (16-2 Atlantic 10)
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NCAA Tournament Seed: No. 11 in Regional 3 – Fort Worth
A member of the Atlantic 10 conference, Rhode Island enters the NCAA Tournament with an overall record of 28-4 (16-2 A-10). The Rams won the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament championship, and have a resume which is headlined by wins over NC State, Richmond, and George Mason.
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Rhode Island Rams 2025-26 coaching staff
Mar 10, 2024; Henrico, VA, USA; Rhode Island Rams head coach Tammi Reiss gestures from the sidelines during the second half at Henrico Sports & Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
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Associate Head Coach: Adeniyi Amadou
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Associate Head Coach: Ali Jaques
The head coach at Rhode Island is Tammi Reiss, who is in her seventh season at the helm of the Rams program. In her time with the Rams, Rhode Island has posted a combined 138-72 overall record with one NCAA Tournament appearance.
Rhode Island Rams 2025-26 stats
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Points Per Game: 67.7 (No. 145 in NCAA)
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Points Per Game Allowed: 53.8 (No. 6 in NCAA)
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Field Goal Percentage: 58.3%
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Three-Point Percentage: 29.4%
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Free Throw Percentage: 77.1%
Rhode Island enters the NCAA Tournament allowing only 53.8 points per game to their opponents, a total that ranks as the No. 6 best in all of women’s college basketball. The Rams also rank No. 25 nationally with a combined 77.1% free throw percentage.
Rhode Island Rams 2025-26 players to know
URI forward Palmire Mbu looks for a path to the hoop through Hawks defenders Gabby Casey and Laura Ziegler.
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Brooklyn Gray, Guard, Senior
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Palmire Mbu, Forward, Senior
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Vanessa Harris, Guard, Freshman
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Albina Syla, Center, Sophomore
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Sophia Vital, Guard, Junior
Rhode Island has three players averaging in double figures this season, headlined by senior guard Brooklyn Gray at 12.5 points per game. Palmire Mbu and Vanessa Harris are the two additional names averaging double figures, while Albina Syla, a sophomore center, leads the teams with seven rebounds a game.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: March Madness 2026: Alabama vs. Rhode Island preview for first round
