PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Robert Morris men's coach Mike Rice has realistic expectations. He knows the only way his players will experience the Final Four is on TV.

His daughter might be more realistic.

Katie Rice predicted No. 2 Villanova (24-7) will beat No. 15 Robert Morris (23-11) when the two teams play at 12:30 p.m. today in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center. And she is giving the Wildcats an 11-point win.

Last year, the Colonials were thrilled just to make it to the NCAA tournament, losing to No. 2 Michigan State, 77-62, in the first round.

That hasn't changed. Winning the Northeast Conference tournament for a second consecutive year was like winning "part of our national championship," Rice said. But for Rice and a handful of returning players, the goals are greater.

"Last year, we were just glad to make it, and I think this year, we're trying to go to the next round," senior forward Dallas Green said.

Preparation has reflected that mindset.

"The practices didn't have the same edge to them, the same intensity," Mike Rice said of last year. "Our seniors are not exactly the most vocal group, but they've had two very good practices with much more intensity and urgency."

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, four 15 seeds have upset a No. 2 -- Richmond in '91, Santa Clara in '93, Coppin State in '97 and Hampton in '01.

"We repeated to our guys the list everybody says, the No. 15 seeds beating No. 2," Rice said. "There's four of them. And we have the list, and they'd like to join the list."

Villanova coach Jay Wright said there is more danger in a team making a second consecutive tournament appearance. He made two trips to the NCAA tournament as coach of Hofstra in 2000 and 2001.

In the first year, "we thought we were really good," Wright said, but Hofstra was beaten up by No. 3 Oklahoma State.

"We came back the second time and we thought, 'OK, we know what this is going to be like. We're going to take some bumps and bruises early,'" Wright said. "And we did. And we almost beat UCLA."

Wright said he expects that mentality from the Colonials. In watching tape on Robert Morris, Wright said the Colonials are disciplined and, despite their reputation as a defensive team, have great offensive concepts.

"We're going to steal some for next year," he said.

Wright said the experience Robert Morris gained from its trip to the NCAA tournament a year ago could go a long way.

But, for five freshmen, including two starters, this is new experience, leaving some a bit star-struck with high-profile players and coaches strolling around.

And none of the Colonials have played against a guard such as Scottie Reynolds, who led the Wildcats past Pitt and into the Final Four last year.

"It's easy to prepare for Villanova, hard to play against," Rice said. "You just don't get what Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher can do off the bounce."

Stopping them is a must if Robert Morris wants to add its name to the list of four Cinderellas who shocked a No. 2.

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