Rhode Island began play in 1975. They have lost in the conference tournament final in 1984 and 2003. In their lone appearance in the NCAA Tournament 1996, they lost 90-82 to Oklahoma State. The 1996 team finished the season with a record of 21-8, which would stand as the program's best record until the 2022 team finished with a 22-7 record.[3] Several players received Atlantic 10 conference honors from first team to third team, and Rookie of the Year.[4]