NIT 2012 Schedule: Breaking Down Top Matchup Between Minnesota vs. Washington

The NIT may not be the premiere college basketball tournament during March, but that doesn't mean it won't produce exciting games. 

After all, what else are you going to do this Tuesday night? If you answered with anything other than watching Massachusetts vs. Stanford or Minnesota vs. Washington, I highly suggest you change your mind and hit your local bar tonight because these are a great slate of games. 

Sure, it's the NIT Final Four, but just think of it as games setting you up for the main event later this week. 

The top matchup for tonight is the surprising Minnesota Golden Gophers against the only remaining No. 1 seed, the Washington Huskies. 

Washington won the Pac-12 regular season, but after a poor showing in the conference tournament, it failed to make the NCAA Tournament, leaving the Huskies to fight in the NIT.

Instead of giving up and feeling sorry for themselves by being in the NIT, the Huskies are on a mission to win. 

Minnesota is continuing it's great run, but the Golden Gophers will face a tough challenge tonight.

That being said, let's take a look at some specifics of this NIT showdown. 

When: Tuesday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET 

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

Watch: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN3.com 

What's At Stake? 

The winner advances to the NIT Championship game, but the loser must grovel and sulk knowing they were so very close to having a shot at winning the [NIT] title. 

As much as people downgrade the tournament with thoughts like "the NIT doesn't matter," it's still an intense basketball tournament that proves a team is capable of battling through hardship and adversity. 

Minnesota and Washington will be giving it their all tonight, hoping to play for a championship, even if it isn't the marquee one. 

Minnesota Player to Watch 

Rodney Williams has been tearing it up for the Golden Gophers, averaging 22 points per game during the NIT. 

He's been a big reason why Minnesota, a No. 6 seed, has been on a tear as of late, and he'll have to keep it up if the Golden Gophers are going to have success against the Huskies. 

The junior forward must put the team on his back once again and shoot the lights out of the gym. 

Washington Player to Watch 

Freshman sensation Tony Wroten had a rough first two rounds in the NIT, but his performance in the quarterfinal match really helped Washington get past its conference rival, the Oregon Ducks. 

Wroten scored 22 points and the Huskies won the game by four. Prior to that, Wroten had only scored a total of 11 points in the NIT. 

Keep and eye on Wroten tonight to see if he brings his talent with him again or leaves it back at the hotel like he did in the first two rounds. 

Key Matchup 

The Huskies were fifth in the nation during the regular season in rebounds per game, but the Golden Gophers ranked at No. 149. 

Minnesota has to do a good job of crashing the boards and preventing Washington from dominating the glass. 

The matchups down low are very vital in this showdown. Whichever team can excel in the post the most is much more likely to walk away victorious and advance to the NIT championship. 

Prediction 

The great run the Golden Gophers have had in the NIT is about to come to an end. The Huskies are infuriated that they missed out on the real March Madness, so except them to come out strong and get the job done.

I do think it will be a close game, but in the end, Washington will move on to the NIT finals game against the winner of tonight's game between Stanford and Massachusetts, which tips off at 7 p.m. ET. 

Washington 81, Minnesota 77