NIT: UAB returns to the Siegel Center

Virginia Commonwealth University will lock horns will a familiar opponent when it plays host to UAB on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2. VCU (24-7), the No. 4 seed […]

March 16, 2008; 11:05 PM • by FTRea

Virginia Commonwealth University will lock horns will a familiar opponent when it plays host to UAB on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

VCU (24-7), the No. 4 seed in their region, will meet the fifth-seeded Blazers (22-10) for the 37th time. The two schools are both former Sun Belt members and have met six times this decade. In the last meeting, VCU earned a 53-44 victory Dec. 16, 2006 at the Alltel Pavilion.

UAB, directed by head coach Mike Davis, is led by junior Robert Vaden, who ranks third in Conference USA in scoring at 21.6 points per game. The Blazers placed second in their league to national powerhouse Memphis. Feb. 16, UAB pushed the Tigers to the limit before falling, 79-78.

Virginia Tech is the top seed in the Rams’ region, and will meet Morgan State Wednesday at 7 p.m. The other games in the region are (6) Charlotte at (3) Nebraska , March 19 at 7 p.m. and (7) Cal Santa Barbara at (2) Ole Miss, March 19 at 8 p.m.

The Rams earned an automatic NIT bid via their regular-season Colonial Athletic Association Championship. It will be VCU’s fifth NIT berth, as well as the school’s 13th postseason selection in 40 seasons. VCU has earned a post-season berth (NIT or NCAA) in four of the last five seasons.

The Rams last appeared in the NIT in 2005, dropping a 77-62 decision to Davidson at the Alltel Pavilion. VCU’s best showing in the tournament came in 1988, when the Rams reached the quarterfinal round with victories over Marshall and Southern Mississippi before falling to Connecticut.

The first three rounds of the tournament are played at campus sites. The semifinals and championship game will take place at Madison Square Garden , home of the NIT since 1938, April 1 & 3.

– The information above was provided by Chris Kowalczyk, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

March 16, 2008 11:05 PM 0