NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT.
The games that matter today:
Indiana vs. Notre Dame (11 AM Central)
Crossroads Classic coming in hot. Notre Dame trying to get back into NIT position. Indiana trying to start making a case for themselves as an NIT power. ND needs a win, Indiana needs a loss. Opportunity for collusion.
VCU at Wichita State (11 AM Central)
Big one for not-the-best-in-their-strong-mid-major-league NIT contenders. Each could use a loss.
Rider at Temple (12 PM Central)
Potential NIT Second Round preview if Rider wins the MAAC but doesn’t win the MAAC tournament and Temple keeps doing its thing and they end up in the same region with Rider maybe a 6-seed and Temple maybe a 2-seed and then both of them win their first round game.
Bob Jones at South Carolina Upstate (12 PM Central)
This actually has absolutely no bearing on the NIT, but I always like when this Bob Jones school (D-II?) plays, because I can pretend it’s just a man named Bob Jones playing Division-I basketball teams by himself for a nice little check.
Illinois vs. Missouri (12 PM Central)
Haven’t talked much about Missouri this year, but they’re in the NIT mix.
Texas at Providence (1 PM Central)
Providence is really struggling, and with Big East play approaching, that’s a bad sign. Win would really help them out. Texas is closer to the bubble than you might think—don’t count ‘em out.
Wright State at Toledo (1 PM Central)
This doesn’t really have any bearing on the NIT when it comes to actually impacting the tournament, but it’s two NIT hopefuls, each of whom could make some noise if they get in. Just a fun game.
Utah State vs. Florida (1:30 PM Central)
Utah State plays this right and they’re in the driver’s seat on the NIT Express.
UCLA vs. UNC (2 PM Central)
UNC can get away with winning this one. UCLA’s terrible, guys.
Belmont vs. Alabama (2:30 PM Central)
Big try-to-get-in-the-hunt game for ‘Bama.
Akron vs. Liberty (2:30 PM Central)
Similar story to Wright State/Toledo. NIT hopefuls duking it out. Could matter for seeding.
Minnesota at Oklahoma State (4:30 PM Central)
Minnesota trying to keep it up. Oklahoma State trying to make a downward move.
Saint Louis vs. Kansas State (6 PM Central)
Just trying to get close to getting close to the race.
Creighton at Arizona State (7:30 PM Central)
Game of the NITe, if we’re being honest (which we are). Can’t talk enough about how important this game is for both. Important that each keeps it close, and Creighton could probably use the loss, if we’re still being honest (which we are).
Cincinnati vs. Iowa (8 PM Central)
Important for the Hawkeyes to make a statement in their first game without Bohannon and show that they aren’t that good without him.
LSU vs. USC (8 PM Central)
Nice opportunity for LSU to drop one here and get closer to the heart of NIT-Land.
Nevada vs. Saint Mary’s (11 PM Central)
Late-night action. Saint Mary’s could use a reset loss. Nevada’s trying to legitimize themselves as an at-large candidate. Great nightcap.
