NIT 2012: Predictions for Every Tournament Game

Only 68 teams make the NCAA tournament. That means plenty of talented squads would be left out to dry if it wasn't for secondary tournaments like the NIT, which will showcase several of the Big Dance's most prominent snubs.

The NIT features 32 teams, ranging from those that narrowly missed out, like Drexel, to lesser-known schools like Savannah State. All of them will begin the journey with hopes of landing at Madison Square Garden for the NIT Final Four.

Let's run through the bracket, making picks for each game along the way until one team is left standing. For a look at the complete bracket, visit the official NCAA site.

Round 1: Washington Region

(1) Washington vs. (8) Texas-Arlington

Winner: Washington.

The Huskies have plenty of motivation after being the first power conference team to miss the NCAA tournament after winning the regular-season Pac-12 title.

(4) Northwestern vs. (5) Akron

Winner: Akron.

Even though the Zips were upset by a red-hot Ohio squad in the MAC final, they are a strong team.

(3) Oregon vs. (6) LSU

Winner: Oregon.

The high-flying Ducks have too much firepower for LSU to keep up with.

(2) Dayton vs. (7) Iowa

Winner: Dayton.

Consistency has been the Flyers' biggest problem. When they are limiting their mental errors, they are virtually impossible to stop.

Round 1: Tennessee Region

(1) Tennessee vs. (8) Savannah State

Winner: Tennessee.

Don't be concerned about the Volunteers' 14 losses. Most of them came against good teams.

(4) Middle Tennessee vs. (5) Marshall

Winner: Marshall.

The Thundering Herd came within one win of making the biggest dance and are an NIT sleeper.

(3) La Salle vs. (6) Minnesota

Winner: Minnesota.

Playing in the nation's top conference gives the Golden Gophers an edge over a team that only faced two ranked teams all season.

(2) Miami (FL) vs. (7) Valparaiso

Winner: Valparaiso.

Ryan Broekhoff will spark an upset for the Crusaders.

Round 1: Seton Hall Region

(1) Seton Hall vs. (8) Stony Brook

Winner: Seton Hall.

Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope, one of the country's most underrated duos, will lead the Pirates to victory.

(4) Mississippi State vs. (5) UMass

Winner: Mississippi State.

A late skid cost the Bulldogs a berth, but Mississippi State should've had enough time to right the ship by tipoff.

(3) Drexel vs. (6) UCF

Winner: Drexel.

The Dragons' weak schedule is likely why they were snubbed. They'll prove their record was no fluke.

(2) St. Joseph's vs. (7) Northern Iowa

Winner: Northern Iowa.

In another of the best first-round matchups, the Panthers advance thanks to their strong long-range shooting.

Round 1: Arizona Region

(1) Arizona vs. (8) Bucknell

Winner: Arizona.

The Wildcats have too many scoring options for Bucknell to contain.

(4) Oral Roberts vs. (5) Nevada

Winner: Oral Roberts.

The Golden Eagles have only lost two games since Christmas.

(3) Stanford vs. (6) Cleveland State

Winner: Cleveland State.

Senior leadership will put the Vikings over to top against Stanford.

(2) Mississippi vs. (7) Illinois State

Winner: Mississippi.

Ole Miss' depth will be enough to push them past the Redbirds.

Round 2: Washington and Tennessee Regions

(1) Washington vs. (5) Akron

Winner: Washington.

A tough draw for the Zips, who could have made a run in a different region.

(2) Dayton vs. (3) Oregon

Winner: Oregon.

The Ducks will set up a Pac-12 battle in the quarterfinals after splitting with Washington during the regular season.

(1) Tennessee vs. (5) Marshall

Winner: Marshall.

Tennessee's offense isn't a big enough threat to exploit the Thundering Herd's defensive weaknesses.

(6) Minnesota vs. (7) Valparaiso

Winner: Minnesota.

Give credit to the Golden Gophers for overcoming the loss of Trevor Mbakwe, which could have destroyed their season.

Round 2: Seton Hall and Arizona Regions

(1) Seton Hall vs. (4) Mississippi State

Winner: Seton Hall.

Pirates emerge victorious in one of the tourney's most intriguing games.

(3) Drexel vs. (7) Northern Iowa

Winner: Drexel.

Frantz Massenat has scored in double digits for 16 straight games to lead the Dragons.

(1) Arizona vs. (4) Oral Roberts

Winner: Arizona.

Oral Roberts won't be able to slow down the Wildcats' big three.

(2) Mississippi vs. (6) Cleveland State

Winner: Cleveland State.

The Horizon League powerhouse pulls off another stunner.

Quarterfinals

(1) Washington vs. (3) Oregon

Winner: Oregon.

The fast pace will make this game must-see television. Ducks advance in a nail-biter.

(5) Marshall vs. (6) Minnesota

Winner: Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers' balanced approach will edge Marshall's offense-first style.

(1) Seton Hall vs. (3) Drexel

Winner: Drexel.

Both teams had strong cases to make the NCAA tournament, but the Dragons will prevail.

(1) Arizona vs. (6) Cleveland State

Winner: Arizona.

The Wildcats become the only top seed to survive their region.

Semifinals

(3) Oregon vs. (6) Minnesota

Winner: Minnesota.

Sooner or later Oregon's defense was going to catch up with the Ducks. The Golden Gophers have the offense to make it happen.

(1) Arizona vs. (3) Drexel

Winner: Drexel.

The Dragons will be able to keep their surprising run alive by knocking off heavily-favored Arizona in a tight game.

Final: Minnesota vs. Drexel

Minnesota's record isn't indicative of their talent level. If the Golden Gophers played in any other conference, they would probably have 22 or 23 wins.

Their big-game experience from Big Ten play is a major reason they've reached the final.

The storyline for Drexel is obvious: After being snubbed from the NCAA tournament, winning the NIT would send a crystal-clear message to the selection committee.

A huge victory inside Madison Square Garden would be a nice way to head into the offseason, especially since they're expected to be right back in the mix next year.

All told, I think the Dragons close the deal and cut down the nets.

NIT Champion: Drexel