NIT 2012 Schedule: Breaking Down Fantastic Final Four

This week is filled with high-flying college basketball action, and it all begins with the NIT Final Four and a title that is all about redemption. 

The world awaits the NCAA Tournament, leaving a specialized corner salivating for the closure that comes with action at Madison Square Garden. 

Get to know the teams that will have us captivated in the championship basketball at the NIT. Anything can happen as the madness of March reaches over into the greatest consolation tournament around. 

The field has been whittled down to four dynamic programs, and here they are: 

Washington Huskies

The Huskies had a fantastic finish push them to the top of the Pac-12 and in line for inclusion in the NCAA Tournament. 

A couple of loses at the finish line meant the Huskies had to settle for the NIT, but that has only fueled this team lead by a tandem of backcourt stars. 

Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten will be the names you hear a lot of in the next couple of days. They can light up the stat lines and have taken it upon themselves to ensure this season ends in victory. 

Minnesota Gophers

Minnesota is playing hot basketball right now and is gaining some attention for the way they are putting away the competition. 

They take on Washington in a classic battle of offense versus the Gophers' stifling defense. I still take the Huskies and a spirited backcourt to finally stave off a surging Minnesota team. 

UMass Minutemen

UMass is the Cinderella at a ball filled with like stories. They have had to contend with an away game at every turn and have come away the victors, landing them but a game away from the all-important title. 

They proved to be the real deal in getting a gritty win over NIT favorites Drexel in the last round. Chaz Williams dropped 20 points as UMass came from what seemed to be an insurmountable deficit to win. 

They remain the most intriguing underdog and may in fact win fan-favorite status by the time the week is over. 

Stanford Cardinal

UMass will take on Pac-12 standout Stanford in the semifinal clash of two unlikely contenders. The tournament may be all about Washington, but Stanford passes the immediate eye test. 

This team finally woke up and is finally playing the basketball we knew they could all season. After losing to Cal in the Pac-12 season, the Cardinal have been on a tear. 

Their last win proved Josh Owens and Chasson Randle could dominate the floor and deliver the production this team needs to put a team away early. 

Owens is the experienced senior that will keep this team poised headed into the final push for NIT glory. 

A full schedule and bracket can be found at the official NIT Website. 

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