NIT Bracket 2013: Preview and Predictions for Each Semifinal Matchup

The National Invitation Tournament doesn’t garner the same attention as its big brother, but the final matchups in the NIT won’t be any less worth watching. The remaining four squads still have a lot to play for.

The NIT semifinals will commence on April 2 at Madison Square Garden, pitting No. 2 Baylor against No. 3 BYU in the opening contest and No. 2 Maryland against No. 3 Iowa in the late game. Both games feature squads with something to prove after failing to earn a spot in the Big Dance, but a tournament championship is still in reach.

We’ll break down each matchup and predict which two squads will square off on April 4 for the NIT title.

*All stats and rankings acquired from ESPN.com and TeamRankings.com.

No. 2 Baylor vs. No. 3 BYU

Game Information: Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2

There won’t be a higher-scoring game in the NIT tournament than the showdown between Baylor and BYU on Tuesday. Both teams rank in the top 20 in points per game this season, led by a bevy of impressive scorers.

In the first three rounds of play, Baylor averaged 93.3 points per contest, including a 112-point effort in its 46-point drubbing of Long Beach State in the first round. Arizona State and Providence put up a fight in the following rounds, but neither were able to upend the Bears’ powerful offense.

Seven players contributed double-digit points in Baylor’s 112-point outpouring in the first round, but the contributions have thinned out since that contest. Only four players scored 10-plus points in the second round and two in the third, but junior forward Cory Jefferson and senior guard Pierre Jackson picked up the slack. The veteran duo combined for 93 points on 29-of-54 shooting from the field in the last two games.

Like Baylor, BYU has traversed the tournament field with incredible offensive production. The Cougars have averaged 86.3 points per game in the NIT, leaning heavily on sophomore guard Tyler Haws and his 28.7-points-per-game tournament average.

BYU features four players who have posted 20-plus-point performances thus far, and as a team, the Cougars are shooting at a 44.3-percent clip from the field.

Previous Meeting: December 21, 2012—Baylor 79, BYU 64

Prediction: Baylor 86, BYU 79

 

No. 2 Maryland vs. No. 3 Iowa

Game Information: Tuesday, April 2, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2

The early action on Tuesday should be a high-scoring affair, but don’t expect the same when Maryland and Iowa face off. Both have played quality defense throughout the tournament, combining for just one game of allowing more than 64 points.

The Terrapins rank No. 97 in the country in scoring defense this season, allowing an average of 63.8 points per contest. With an offense that counters with 71 points per game, Maryland matches up well with the Hawkeyes.

Like the Terrapins, Iowa mixes in a good balance of scoring and quality defense. The Hawkeyes average 70.6 points per game and hold opponents to 62.6 points per contest—both of which have been fairly consistent with its tournament performance.

Iowa junior swingman Roy Devyn Marble will be the player to watch in this matchup. Averaging 25.3 points per game in the first three rounds, his hot shooting has been the Hawkeyes’ main source of offensive production.

The Terrapins counter with a bevy of capable scorers in center Alex Len, swingman Dez Wells, guard Seth Allen and guard Nick Faust. Those four (along with guard Logan Aronhalt) have all led the Terps in scoring at least once in the tournament.

Difficult regular season schedules in major conferences forced these two squads out of the NCAA tournament, but those same schedules seasoned them for a championship run in the NIT. Make no mistake, Maryland and Iowa are quality teams with a lot to prove in the postseason.

Previous Meeting: None this season.

Prediction: Iowa 66, Maryland 63

 

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