Bryant basketball punches its ticket to the Big Dance; what to know

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Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. cuts down the net after Saturday’s win

The Bryant Bulldogs beat Maine 77-59 to win the America East championship and clinch a berth to the NCAA Tournament.

The Bryant Bulldogs men’s basketball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the America East championship.Head coach Phil Martelli Jr. is in his second season leading the Bulldogs.

The Bryant University Bulldogs men’s basketball team is heading to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, after beating Maine 77-59 on Saturday to claim the America East championship and an automatic berth in the big dance.

Here’s what to know about the Bryant Bulldogs.

Have the Bryant Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA Tournament before?

The Bulldogs are making their second trip to the NCAA Tournament. Their first came in 2022 when they won the Northeast Conference championship and went to the big dance as a No. 16 seed. Bryant faced fellow 16-seed Wright State in the First Four Round in Dayton, Ohio, and lost 93-82.

Bryant, located in Smithfield, R.I., is one of four Division I men’s college basketball programs in Rhode Island, and the youngest, having begun its transition to the Division I ranks in 2009. This is Bryant’s third season competing in the America East Conference, having previously been part of the Northeast Conference.

Who coaches the Bryant Bulldogs?

Phil Martelli Jr. is the head coach of the Bulldogs, having taken over for Jared Grasso two seasons ago when Grasso left the program. Martelli was an assistant on Grasso’s staff before being hired as the interim, and then permanent head coach.

Martelli Jr. led Bryant to a 14-2 conference record this season, en route to the America East championship. Last season, the Bulldogs were 11-5 in conference play and went on to beat Maine in the conference quarterfinals before losing to UMass Lowell in the semifinal round.

Connor Withers celebrates with Phil Martelli, the father of Bryant’s coach

Longtime college basketball coach Phil Martelli, father…

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Publish date : 2025-03-15 17:48:00

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