It seems the best course of action right now is to take things one game at a time.
So, NIT fans, here’s what could be happening today. One game at a time.
Creighton vs. St. John’s (12:00 PM Eastern)
The day begins out east, where the NIT Final Four may yet be played. St. John’s got a big win yesterday, and could really lock themselves into an at-large bid today with another victory. Checking in at 71% NIT-likely, but with about an eight percent chance they accidentally overshoot.
Akron vs. Ohio (12:00 PM Eastern)
Akron could lock up an automatic bid today, but some are speculating that the Zips have their eyes on a five-seed, which might require winning this one.
UMass vs. VCU (12:00 PM Eastern)
VCU tries to stay alive.
Texas vs. Texas Tech (12:30 PM Eastern)
This could be an NIT play-in game, but one in which the loser’s the one that gets to play in the NIT. There are scenarios in which Texas wins and both make the field. The same cannot be confidently said of instances in which Texas Tech wins. A big one for the Big 12.
Florida State vs. Clemson (12:30 PM Eastern)
Clemson’s looking for another win to get them into the projected field. If they don’t get it, they’re far from dead, but they’ll be a lot more anxious.
Tennessee vs. Alabama (1:00 PM Eastern)
The SEC action of the day kicks off with a seeding struggle between teams currently on the four and five lines in our model’s projected bracket. Neither is in huge danger of missing the field, but both would do well to win, or at least keep things close.
Eastern Washington vs. Sacramento State (2:00 PM Eastern)
Could get another automatic bid out of this one. Eastern Washington, to be clear.
Iowa vs. Minnesota (2:25 PM Eastern)
Minnesota tries to, at least temporarily, get back to .500 overall and keep the train rolling. As we’ve been saying, we don’t know if being .500 will indeed be an informal requirement for NIT at-large teams, so we don’t know how much stock to place in that angle, but winning certainly wouldn’t hurt the Gophers’ NIT hopes.
Providence vs. Butler (2:30 PM Eastern)
It would probably take a lot of weird things happening for Providence to make the NIT at this point, but we’ll keep an eye on them just in case. The first thing, which wouldn’t be all that weird, would be them losing this one, perhaps even badly.
Kansas vs. Oklahoma State (2:30 PM Eastern)
Oklahoma State’s probably safely in the NIT field, with a victory only serving to help their one-seed ambitions. Still, they might not want to risk it. You never know, and it’d be a shame to miss the NIT after fighting so nobly to get to this point.
Duke vs. North Carolina State (2:45ish PM Eastern)
NC State jumped to a one-seed in our model’s projection today, which means they really should be advised not to win this one. Someone tell them that, please.
Oregon vs. Oregon State (3:00 PM Eastern)
The Beavers took a big step in the NIT’s direction yesterday in their thriller against Utah. Win today, and they should be in the field.
UConn vs. Tulane (3:00 PM Eastern)
UConn might be safe with a loss, but as with many teams, would be advised to not lose to Tulane today.
New Mexico State vs. Chicago State (3:00 PM Eastern)
NMSU would get an automatic bid if they were to lose today. The problem is how historic of an upset them losing today would be.
Florida vs. Georgia (3:30 PM Eastern)
Rivals, coming together, trying to join forces and will both programs into NIT berths. Heartwarming stuff, really. Probably wouldn’t do the job for Florida but you never do know.
USC vs. Arizona (5:30 PM Eastern)
As with Providence, it would take a lot of weird stuff for USC to make the NIT at this point. And as with Providence, one not-weird thing that would be required would be losing today.
Ohio State vs. Purdue (6:30 PM Eastern)
The will-they-or-won’t-they love narrative with Purdue and the NIT may conclude today. Keyword “may.” They’d have to lose to get to a happy spot.
Villanova vs. DePaul (7:00 PM Eastern)
After beating Xavier yesterday, DePaul is alive. We don’t know if beating Villanova would be enough. We know that it might be enough, though. We know it would help.
North Texas vs. Florida Atlantic (7:00 PM Eastern)
Automatic bid up for grabs. But only for North Texas. And this is just the quarterfinal.
Virginia vs. Notre Dame (7:00 PM Eastern)
Notre Dame could help their seeding with the upset.
Texas A&M vs. Missouri (7:00 PM Eastern)
Two teams trying to play their way in. One will stay alive. The other’s most likely gone.
Duquesne vs. Fordham (8:30 PM Eastern)
The Dukes will keep their hopes afloat. But only if they win.
Penn State vs. Indiana (8:55 PM Eastern)
Last chance for the Hoosiers to make a statement. Not in a good place, even if they do lose, but losing badly would help the cause.
Louisville vs. Syracuse (9:00 PM Eastern)
Syracuse tries to climb the seed line after likely playing their way into the NIT last night.
Oklahoma vs. West Virginia (9:00 PM Eastern)
Oklahoma’s in a similar position to Providence and USC. They’re very unlikely to make the NIT. But they can’t be written off just yet.
UC-Irvine vs. Long Beach State (9:00 PM Eastern)
UC-Irvine makes the first of what could be many attempts at the automatic bid.
South Carolina vs. Arkansas (9:30 PM Eastern)
Arkansas’s in real danger of missing the NIT. Best to avoid a victory, even if it might cost them a one-seed.
Memphis vs. East Carolina (10:00 PM Eastern)
Memphis tries to take care of business and prove themselves worthy of a high seed.
Arizona State vs. Washington State (11:30 PM Eastern)
And as for the night-cap, Washington State’s upset of Colorado yesterday was huge for Arizona State, who now has a much more viable NIT path with a loss.
