NIT, CBI, and CIT Predictions
By Michael Schneid
The NCAA tournament is the goal of every college program and is focus of the next three weeks. But some teams that aren't good enough or didn't get selected as one of the 68 teams will still get a chance to play in the postseason.
The NIT (National Invitational Tournament) is the most recognizable of the other postseason tournaments. Teams that finish first place in their conference regular season but don't win the conference tournaments are automatically entered into the NIT. The bubble teams who didn't make the tourney play in the NIT but motivation is often a question.
The CBI (College Basketball Invitational) began in 2007 and doesn't carry the same weight as the NIT. Many ignore the CBI and some schools consider it a joke. Indiana and Marquette for example, were passed over for the NIT and opted not to play in the CBI.
The CIT (CollegeInsider.com Tournament) is for mid-low major schools only. It is a great way for schools to continue their season and get postseason experience.
NIT Predictions:
Final Four: SMU vs. Green Bay, Minnesota vs. Louisiana Tech
Championship: SMU
SMU and St. John's might have the two most talented teams in the tournament. St John's is unlikely to be motivated whereas SMU might play with chip on their shoulder and should make a deep run into the tournament. Minnesota is a good young team that can benefit from this tournament too.
CBI Predictions:
Penn State might have the best team in the tournament. Led by an experienced backcourt featuring DJ Newbill and Tim Frazier, we expect Penn State to win the CBI.
It's hard to do a CBI bracket as they reseed after each round, but Penn State and UTEP are the top two teams and Wyoming and South Dakota State can also make a run.
CIT Predictions:
Look at for Murray State, Towson and Canisius. Canisius is led by one of the nation's most profilific scorers, Billy Baron. Baron averages 24.2 points per game. Meanwhile, Towson went 23-10 and is led by Jerrelle Benimon. Benimon averages 19 ppg and 11.5 rpg.
Our pick to win the CIT is Towson, who should be an NCAA tournament team in 2015.
The NCAA tournament is the goal of every college program and is focus of the next three weeks. But some teams that aren't good enough or didn't get selected as one of the 68 teams will still get a chance to play in the postseason.
The NIT (National Invitational Tournament) is the most recognizable of the other postseason tournaments. Teams that finish first place in their conference regular season but don't win the conference tournaments are automatically entered into the NIT. The bubble teams who didn't make the tourney play in the NIT but motivation is often a question.
The CBI (College Basketball Invitational) began in 2007 and doesn't carry the same weight as the NIT. Many ignore the CBI and some schools consider it a joke. Indiana and Marquette for example, were passed over for the NIT and opted not to play in the CBI.
The CIT (CollegeInsider.com Tournament) is for mid-low major schools only. It is a great way for schools to continue their season and get postseason experience.
NIT Predictions:
Final Four: SMU vs. Green Bay, Minnesota vs. Louisiana Tech
Championship: SMU
SMU and St. John's might have the two most talented teams in the tournament. St John's is unlikely to be motivated whereas SMU might play with chip on their shoulder and should make a deep run into the tournament. Minnesota is a good young team that can benefit from this tournament too.
CBI Predictions:
Penn State might have the best team in the tournament. Led by an experienced backcourt featuring DJ Newbill and Tim Frazier, we expect Penn State to win the CBI.
It's hard to do a CBI bracket as they reseed after each round, but Penn State and UTEP are the top two teams and Wyoming and South Dakota State can also make a run.
CIT Predictions:
Look at for Murray State, Towson and Canisius. Canisius is led by one of the nation's most profilific scorers, Billy Baron. Baron averages 24.2 points per game. Meanwhile, Towson went 23-10 and is led by Jerrelle Benimon. Benimon averages 19 ppg and 11.5 rpg.
Our pick to win the CIT is Towson, who should be an NCAA tournament team in 2015.
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