NIT 2017: Schedule, Live Stream and Bracket Predictions for Semifinals

The NCAA tournament may be commanding the attention of the sporting world right now, but it isn't the only significant tournament going on. The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is also about to enter its Final Four.

The four teams remaining in the NIT are Texas Christian University (TCU), the University of Central Florida (UCF), Georgia Tech and California State University-Bakersfield (CSUB). All four teams will be in action on Tuesday night at Madison Square Gardens.

Here, we'll run down everything you need to know for the NIT semifinals, including television and live-stream information. We'll also examine the latest odds—courtesy of OddsShark.com—look at the latest storylines and make our predictions for the NIT finals.

NIT Semifinals

Georgia Tech vs. CSU Bakersfield

When: 7 p.m. ET

National TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Line: Georgia Tech -2

TCU vs. UCF

When: 9 p.m. ET

National TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Line: TCU -2.5

Latest Buzz

Horned Frogs Happy to Be Still Standing

Some major college programs dislike the idea of playing in the NIT—doing so means missing out on the NCAA tournament. However, the TCU Horned Frogs are glad to be where they are, because it means they are still playing ball.

They are the last team from the state of Texas or from the Big 12 to still be doing so.

“It really means a lot because, usually, we would have been done three weeks ago,” guard Brandon Parrish said, per Jimmy Burch of the Star-Telegram. “To still be playing on March 28 in Madison Square Garden, that just paints a picture of what we want. For us to have extended our season in this fashion has really been special for everybody.”

Not only do the players have something to gain from the tournament experience, they're a win away from playing for a trophy—which is a lot better than sitting at home, no matter how much importance you place in the NIT.

The Horned Frogs seem to have a pretty good chance of advancing, too. They've managed to knock off No. 1 seed Iowa and survive an overtime test against Richmond so far in the tournament.

Dawkins Hire Paying Dividends for UCF

Players for the University of Central Florida also seem to enjoy being at this stage of the tournament, though some may be focusing more on the New York experience.

According to Shannon Green of the Orlando Sentinel, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins has given his players some time to enjoy what the big city has to offer.

“My impression is everything is moving too fast,” guard Matt Williams said, per Green. “The cars are moving fast; everyone is walking fast. I thought Orlando was a big city, but now I get here and see that this is the real city. It’s just good being here.”

While some may question Dawkins' decision to allow his players to temporarily lose focus on the game, it's hard to question what he has accomplished this season. Dawkins was hired last year in order to help turn the program around.

UCF went just 12-18 in 2016 while finishing ninth in the AAC. Like TCU, the Golden Knights are now a win away from playing for a tournament title.

“Our belief has been in these players from Day 1,” Dawkins said, per the Associated Press. “I think, as we started to play and started to gain some momentum, I think they started realizing what we can accomplish, and they kept working. And we put ourselves in position to be very competitive this season, so I’m just excited.”

UCF fans have to be excited, too.

CSUB Playing Cinderella

The NIT might not be as big as the NCAA tournament, but that doesn't mean it isn't without its own Cinderella stories. There's a big one going on this year in CSU Bakersfield.

CSUB came into the tournament as a No. 8 seed. The school has since become the fist eighth seed to make the semifinals in NIT history. Obviously, the Roadrunners now have an opportunity to be the first No. 8 seed to play in the finals.

To get past Georgia Tech, however, CSUB will need to clean up a couple aspects of the team's game. According to Zach Ewing of Bakersfield.com, the Roadrunners commit an average of 22.7 fouls per game (seventh-most in the country) and shoot just 63.7 percent from the foul line.

The Yellow Jackets have won 23 games so far this season and won each of their NIT contests by at least eight points.

Prediction: Georgia Tech and UCF advance to the finals.