NASHVILLE,Tenn. -- Belmont's basketball team hasn't had much success in the NCAA tournament, but they're going back with a new plan, and they're already making history.

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Belmont's basketball team hasn't had a problem getting fans to games, but they've always struggled making it past the first round.

Instead of classes, Adam Zinke said he is more concerned about his bracket right now. He said he's sticking with Belmont despite the odds.

"I did just pick the upset, Belmont over Duke. You got to have faith," he said.

But win or not, Belmont has already made basketball history by being the first Atlantic Sun Conference school to earn three consecutive bids to the NCAA tournament.

The team was on the road Tuesday ahead of their first game Thursday against perennial powerhouse Duke.

Belmont's last two tournament appearances ended with tough losses, but this year fans are hoping for a change.

"Obviously, our goal is to win a game. We've been there, feel like we deserve to be there, now we just need to win," said Bruins guard Andy Wicke.

While the team is far from being a favorite to win the tournament, new research suggests if the competition were academics, Belmont would be in the championship.

The academic bracket shows that only Davidson College, near Charlotte, N.C. -- would beat Belmont when looking at the highest graduation rates of all 65 colleges in the tournament.

The national television exposure also does a lot for recruitment.

"I had never heard of Belmont. I didn't know anything about them," said student Ian Schinelli.

Schinelli said he saw Belmont on ESPN three years ago. Now he's one of many Belmont students hoping this season won't end with a trip to the big dance cut short.

"This year, there is a spirit that if Duke has a bad night, and we have a good night, then maybe something can happen," Zinke said.

With Belmont, there are five Tennessee schools seated in the NCAA tournament this year. Vanderbilt, Austin Peay State, Memphis and UT-Knoxville also earned trips to the tournament.

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