UAB Pregame

The NIT is an interesting mix of elite programs that fell short of getting an at-large mixed in with mid-major's and regular season conference champs from smaller leagues. As CCU gets set to take on UAB, the Chants have the dubious distinction of being the school with the most wins to not make the NCAA field. CCU has the most wins in the NIT 32 team field.

There's no question that while Coastal is disappointed to not make the NCAA's, they are happy to be playing in a post-season tournament. It's CCU's first ever NIT bid and just third post-season berth in the program's history. UAB is now in the NIT for the third straight year. The Blazers were 18-2 and had wins against Butler, Cincinnati, Georgia and Arkansas on their resume. From there, UAB went 5-6 losing their last three games and sliding off the bubble and back into the NIT.

Vegas has UAB as an 11 point favorite in tonight's game and that's about right. There's no question that the Blazers playing at home should win this game. But here's where the NIT gets interesting. Is UAB pumped about playing in the NIT again? It's the question you have to ask the UConn's and North Carolina's who are accustomed playing in the other dance. UAB had to feel like they were a near lock to be playing in the NCAA's a month ago.

CCU still has not had a two game losing streak this year. The Chants have had nearly12 days off. Which team will show up? The one that dismantled conference foes or the team that struggled at home against Winthrop and Radford? We'll know in the first eight minutes if CCU is going to be competitive or not. During that time we'll also find out if UAB is ready to make a run towards Madison Square Garden or if they want to call it a season.