NIT Tournament 2015: Updated Bracket and Quarterfinals Schedule

Eight remain in the 2015 NIT tournament.

For those who cannot get enough of the madness, a break from the Big Dance means flipping over to the NIT as the final participants fight for the right to play in Madison Square Garden and pursue a championship.

Of course, there hasn't been a good reason for fans to skip the NIT at all, not with Selection Sunday ignoring many strong teams and sending them to the consolation tournament. Star performances, shocking upsets and memorable moments aren't exclusive to the Big Dance.

Keep it in mind as the final eight put everything on the line over the course of the next two days.

NIT Schedule

Date	Time (ET) / How to watch	Matchup
3/24	7:00 p.m. / ESPN	(2) Miami (FL) at (1) Richmond
3/24	9:00 p.m. / ESPN	(5) Vanderbilt at (2) Stanford
3/25	7:00 p.m. / ESPN2	(3) Murray St. at (1) Old Dominion
3/25	9:00 p.m. ESPN2	(3) Louisiana Tech at (1) Temple

Printable NIT bracket is also available on NCAA.com.

No. 2 Miami (FL) at No. 1 Richmond

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

One of the top seeds left standing, Richmond just received its biggest test to date thanks to an overtime encounter with Arizona State. The Spiders escaped by way of four players reaching double digits, while the team shot 47.4 percent from the field.

It's going to take another strong shooting performance and not losing the battle on the glass (Arizona State won, 46-30) to upend the Miami Hurricanes, though.

The Hurricanes sit 62nd in ESPN.com's RPI rankings to Richmond's 59th and play a contrasting style of basketball capable of giving the Spiders fits.

As KenPom.com's efficiency numbers show, the Hurricanes get things done on the offensive end of the court:

Team	ADJ OFF	ADJ DEF
Miami (Fla)	41	104
Richmond	89	47

What should give the Spiders the most pause is Miami's performance in the last round against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Sheldon McClellan, the team's leading scorer (14.7 points per game), scored just two points. Right behind him on the leaderboard is Angel Rodriguez (12.2 PPG), who missed the contest.

Miami still found a way to win, 73-66.

Rodriguez doesn't figure to be back, but the Hurricanes' stunning depth is a factor capable of giving the Spiders fits, even more so after needing an extra frame to move past Arizona State. Look for depth, the battle on the glass and making the most of every trip down the court to lead the Hurricanes to Madison Square Garden.

Prediction: Miami 77, Richmond 74

No. 5 Vanderbilt at No. 2 Stanford

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Expect fireworks to finish Tuesday's action.

At first glance, this one looks like a mismatch. Other than the seeds, the Stanford Cardinal ranks 61st in RPI. Vanderbilt, out of a weaker SEC, ranks 101st.

Vanderbilt didn't get this far without doing something well, though, upsetting St. Mary's in the first round and then taking care of business against eighth-seeded South Dakota State, 92-77, behind 58.3 percent shooting from the field and 57.1 from long range. 

So yes, the Commodores do the whole offensive thing well, so much so that South Dakota State coach Scott Nagy sang their praises after the loss.

"I mean that is unbelievable," Nagy said, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "We talked about switching defenses, but I just want to go with what we got this year. This is a very good offensive team."

Team	ADJ OFF	ADJ DEF
Vanderbilt	20	111
Stanford	30	97

Things look more even in the Vanderbilt-Stanford showdown when digesting the efficiency ratings.

Stanford makes the most of its offensive trips down the hardwood thanks to senior Chasson Randle (19.4 PPG), who just erupted for 35 points in a win against Rhode Island.

As great as Vanderbilt's run has been, the defensive numbers show the Commodores won't have an answer for Randle as he guns not only for Stanford's all-time leading scorer position but a trip to Madison Square Garden and an extension of his collegiate career.

Prediction: Stanford 84, Vanderbilt 80

Stats and info are courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.