NIT 2012: Updated Bracket and Schedule for March 19

The NIT resumes on Monday night with three games that will determine the final three teams in the Elite Eight. After a slew of upsets in the first round, the second round has pretty much followed chalk thus far, with the exception of Massachusetts over Seton Hall. 

Washington, Massachusetts, Drexel, Oregon and Nevada have already punched their tickets to the quarterfinals of the NIT. Three more teams will put their best foot forward, hoping to join them on the road to Madison Square Garden. 

We will have a breakdown of all Monday's action and a look at the bracket as it stands right now, with both the remaining Sweet 16 games and the Elite Eight matchups that are already set. 

MATCHUP	DATE, TIME	NETWORK
No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 4 Middle Tennessee	March 19, 7 p.m. ET	ESPN
No. 2 Miami vs. No. 6 Minnesota	March 19, 9 p.m. ET	ESPN
No. 3 Stanford vs. No. 7 Illinois State	March 19, 11:30 p.m. ET	ESPN2
No. 3 Drexel vs. No. 5 Massachusetts*	March 20, 7 p.m. ET	ESPN
No. 1. Washington vs. No. 3 Oregon*	March 20, 9 p.m. ET	ESPN
Tennessee-Middle Tennessee Winner vs. Miami-Minnesota Winner*	March 21, 7 p.m. ET	ESPN2
No. 5 Nevada vs. Stanford-Illinois State Winner*	March 21, 9 p.m. ET	ESPN2

*Denotes quarterfinal game.

Best Monday Matchup: Tennessee vs. Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee is one of the best shooting teams in the country. The Blue Raiders finished the season fourth in field-goal percentage (.496). They are going to attack the Volunteers on the inside, trying to use size to overwhelm their opponent's speed. 

The Volunteers have been so inconsistent this season that it is hard to know what they will bring. The best thing that you can say for them is they try hard on defense. It doesn't always work against teams that can push them, so this is the wrong matchup for the Volunteers.

Predictions

Middle Tennessee over Tennessee

The Blue Raiders have too much size and strength inside for Tennessee. Their ability to hit shots will help them pull away from the Volunteers late. 

Miami over Minnesota

Miami's defense is playing better right now. Neither team is going to light up the scoreboard anyway, so it comes down to who is going to contest more shots. Bank on the Hurricanes in this matchup. 

Illinois State over Stanford

These two teams match up well against each other. Stanford is more efficient on the offensive side of the ball, but the Redbirds have played better this month. Momentum is everything in March, and Illinois State has it right now. 

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