Wichita, KS--Wichita State will host Nevada Wednesday at 7:05pm in an NIT opening round game.
Nevada is 20-12 after an 80-79 loss to New Mexico State in the semifinals of the WAC tournament. The Wolf Pack is led by 6’9” sophomore Luke Babbett, who averages 22.1 points and 9.2 rebounds.
The winner of the Nevada-Wichita State game will face either second-seeded Rhode Island or #7 Northwestern in the second round. The Shockers bracket is led by top-seed Virginia Tech, who plays Quinnipiac in the opening round, and fourth-seeded Connecticut. The tradition-rich Huskies play an opening-round game at Northeastern.
Other top seeds are Illinois, Arizona State and Mississippi State. The field includes big name schools North Carolina, Cincinnati and Memphis.
Besides Wichita State, Illinois State from the Missouri Valley makes the 32-team field. The Redbirds will play at Dayton in an opening-round game. Texas Tech is the only Big 12 team. The Red Raiders will play at Seton Hall.
The NIT final four will be played March 30 and April 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
