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The state of Virginia’s number to beat is five as March Madness begins to unfold. That’s the most teams the Commonwealth has qualified for the NCAA tournament since it went to a 64-team format in 1985.

In 2011, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, Old Dominion and Hampton advanced to the NCAAs. VCU made its memorable run to the Final Four and UR reached the Sweet 16.

On two other occasions since 1985, the state sent four teams (2007 and 1986).

This year, Virginia, Virginia Tech and VCU appear to be locks. As for automatic bids that go with conference tournament championships, Old Dominion, Radford, Liberty, and Norfolk State are strong contenders.

With 14 Division I schools in eight leagues, Virginia has several other possibilities in league tournaments:

VCU, UR and George Mason are A-10 members, Virginia and Virginia Tech belong to the ACC, Old Dominion is in Conference USA, James Madison and William & Mary are affiliated with the CAA, Radford, Hampton and Longwood are Big South schools, Liberty is in the Atlantic Sun, Norfolk State is a member of the MEAC, and VMI is a member of the Southern Conference.

— John O’Connor