Tonight's NIT Matchups March 27, 2007
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NIT Tournament Semifinals
West Virginia (25-9) vs. Mississippi State (21-13)
7:00 pm Eastern
ESPN 2
SBG Global Opening Line: Mississippi State - 1, Total 145
West Virginia is making its second trip in three weeks to New York after playing in the Big East tournament. "Playing at Madison Square Garden is a big deal," sophomore guard Alex Ruoff said. "Because we've played here before, we're not going to be star-struck." The line is holding steady at 1, so it is no surprise that SBG Global reports the public is split on the decision.
West Virginia ranks fourth in the country in 3 pointers putting in almost 11 per game. "Everybody talks about how good he is offensively (West Virginia coach Beilein), but he doesn't get enough credit for his defense," Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said. "That defense is very unique in itself. Everybody calls it a 1-3-1, but only he knows what it really is. I have watched film, but I have no clue what it is yet."
Mississippi State is a 1.5 point favorite with a total of 146 at SBG Global.
West Virginia is looking to win its first NIT title since 1942. The Mountaineers last made the semifinals in 1981. West Virginia is led by Frank Young who is averaging 24.3 points in three NIT games.
Mississippi State is playing in the NIT for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs are young with nine freshmen or sophomores on the team. Mississippi State is led by sophomore guard Jamont Gordon, who leads the team with 16.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. "He's the whole package," West Virginia coach Beilein said. "He's a do-everything player. The other guys know their roles so well and they get the ball to the right guy at the right time."
The Mountaineers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games. The Mountaineers are 36-17-1 ATS in their last 54 non-conference games. The Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. the SEC. The Mountaineers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
The Bulldogs are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 games as a favorite. The Bulldogs are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 non-conference games. The Bulldogs are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
The Over is 7-0-1 in the Mountaineers last 8 neutral site games. The Over is 7-1 in the Mountaineers last 8 neutral site games as an underdog. The Over is 6-1 in the Mountaineers last 7 overall. The Over is 8-2-1 in the Mountaineers last 11 non-conference games. The Over is 26-12 in the Mountaineers last 38 games as an underdog. The Over is 6-0 in the Bulldogs last 6 neutral site games as a favorite. The Over is 6-0 in the Bulldogs last 6 overall.
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NIT Tournament Semifinals
Clemson (24-10) vs. Air Force (26-8)
9:00 pm Eastern
ESPN 2
SBG Global Opening Line: Air Force - 1, Total 125
Air Force is in New York as one of four semifinalists in the NIT where they face Clemson tonight. Air Force and Clemson were both #1 seeds in the NIT’s new bracket system. Air Force has turned missing the NCAA tournament into a real chance to win the NIT title. "When it became evident that we would not make the NCAA, I gathered my team together and gave them a history lesson about the NIT," head coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "I told them that we should embrace this opportunity." However, the gambling public at SBG Global believes that history will be made tonight, sending Clemson into the finals.
Air Force is led by forwards Dan Nwaelele who averages 14.3 points per game and Jacob Burtschi who averages 13.6 points per game. Matt McCraw averages almost 11 points per game.
Clemson is in the NIT semifinals for the second time, and first since 1999. Clemson has a balanced scoring attack, led by sophomore forward K.C. Rivers who averages 13.7 points per game and junior forward James Mays who averages just over 12 points per game.
Air Force is a 1.5 point favorite with a total of 123 at SBG Global.
The Tigers started 17-0 but collapsed late in the season to miss out on the NCAA tourney. "To be able to attach 'champions' behind our name would be pretty special," coach Oliver Purnell said. "If we are going to move on, we are going to have to play one of our best games of the year."
Air Force and Clemson have never met.
The Tigers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a point spread cover. The Tigers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
The Falcons are 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 non-conference games. The
Falcons are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Falcons are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games.
The Under is 4-1 in the Tigers last 5 neutral site games. The Under is 4-0 in the Falcons last 4 Tuesday games. The Over is 5-2 in the Falcons last 7 neutral site games. The Under is 13-6 in the Falcons last 19 overall.
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