The 2011 NIT Tournament bracket was just announced on ESPNU. The NIT, a tournament independent of the NCAA Tournament, provides a postseason for teams that aren’t able to reach the field of 64. It’s a field of 32, so think of it as an even more exclusive club, snubbed sports fans.
Three of the four No. 1 seeds are held by ACC or SEC teams, with Alabama, Virginia Tech, and Boston College taking the top spots. Miami also earned a No. 2, and Ole Miss a No. 5. Georgia Tech fans, here’s your rooting interest: Bobby Cremins’ College of Charleston is in as a No. 6 seed, taking on the defending champs.
Coming in to today, Georgia was thought to be slummin’ it in the NIT. Bama fans have got to be upset to see UGA in as a snug No. 10 seed.
Left bracket:
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 8 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Tuesday at 7 pm
No. 4 New Mexico Lobos vs. No. 5 UTEP Miners on Tuesday at 9 pm
No. 3 Missouri State Bears vs. No. 6 Murray State Racers on Tuesday at 8 pm
No. 2 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 7 Florida Atlantic Owls on Wednesday at 11 pm
No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes vs. No. 2 Texas Southern Wednesday at 7 pm
No. 4 California Golden Bears vs. No. 5 Mississippi Rebels on Wednesday at 9 pm
No. 3 Colorado St. Rams vs. No. 6 Fairfield Stags Tuesday at 9 pm
No. 2 St. Mary’s Gaels vs. No. 7 Kent St. Golden Flashes on Tuesday at 11 pm
Right bracket:
No. 1 Boston College Eagles vs. 8 McNeese St. Cowboys on Tuesday at 9 pm
No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Panthers on Wednesday at 8 pm
No. 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys vs. No. 6 Harvard Crimson on Tuesday at 7 pm
No. 2 Washington St. Cougars vs. No. 7 Long Beach St. 49ers on Wednesday at 10 pm
No. 1 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. No. 8 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Wednesday at 8 pm
No. 4 Wichita St. Shockers vs. No. 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday at 7 pm
No. 3 Dayton Flyers vs. No. 6 Charleston Cougars on Tuesday at 7 pm
No. 2 Cleveland St. Vikings vs. No. 7 Vermont Catamounts on Tuesday at 7 pm