NIT 2012: Breaking Down Minnesota vs. Stanford Championship Matchup

The Stanford Cardinal reached the finals of the NIT with ease on Tuesday night, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers needed an overtime win to have a chance to win it all. 

A No. 6 seed, Minnesota has surprised everyone, as hardly anyone saw the Golden Gophers playing for the NIT Championship. 

But here they are, hoping to shock the world once again and cut down the nets.

It's not going to be easy, though, because Stanford has been on a tear as of late, cruising its way past its last couple of opponents. 

That being said, let's take a look at some specifics of the 2012 NIT Championship game. 

When: Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET 

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Watch: ESPN2 

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

What's At Stake? 

The NIT title is on the line, and to have gotten this far to eventually lose would be extremely heartbreaking. 

Both teams have done well in this tournament, with Minnesota continuously proving its doubters wrong. 

Thursday's final game is a chance for both teams to say they're the best of the best of the teams that didn't get invited to the real NCAA tournament. It may not mean a whole lot, but it's still important for the overall team morale. 

Minnesota Player to Watch 

Rodney Williams was very clutch for the Golden Gophers in their overtime victory against Washington. He scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. 

During the regular season, Williams averaged just 11 points. He's really stepped his game and is a big reason Minnesota is playing for the championship. 

Williams is averaging 21 points per game during the NIT, and the Golden Gophers will look to him once again on Thursday, hoping he delivers just one more time this year. 

Stanford Player to Watch 

Chasson Randle may only be a freshman, but the kid can flat-out play.

The 6'1" guard has been a huge help during the NIT, and if not for his performance, the Cardinal would have already been sent home. 

He's shooting 46 percent during the NIT and averaging nearly 14 points per game. His total points have dropped over the last three games of the tournament, so keep an eye on him to see if this a continuing trend. 

Key Matchup 

The key matchup for this NIT Championship game is the battle between guards. Both teams have stellar guard play, and their respective teams will need them to be on point Thursday night. 

For Minnesota, Andre Hollins, Austin Hollins and Joe Coleman will be heavily relied on to get the job done. They'll have help from Williams, a forward, but these guards will need to not only shoot well, but also play exceptional defense. 

For Stanford, Randle, Anthony Brown and Jarrett Mann will have their hands full, but if they shoot well, it's going to be a good night for the Cardinal. Randle and Brown are the top guys, and they'll have to limit the Hollins brothers from having an explosive night. 

Prediction 

Give Minnesota credit for getting this far, but old lady luck is going to run out. The Golden Gophers are definitely going to put up a fight and give it their all, but Stanford will rise up and walk away victorious. 

The Cardinal are a better all-around team, and they'll make sure that they finish strong. I do expect a very good game that comes down to the wire, but in the end, Stanford will win. 

Stanford 74, Minnesota 71