NIT Tournament 2016: Full Bracket, Schedule and Top Championship Contenders

While hotly contested, the first day of the NIT bracket didn't hold much in the way of surprises.

On Tuesday, No. 3 Ohio State survived an overtime scare against No. 6 Akron, but otherwise, higher-seeded teams came away with victories to pit the best of the best against one another in the second round.

Wednesday continues the action and will help paint a clearer picture as to who the serious contenders for the title might be as the bracket continues.

Here is a look at the full bracket courtesy of Ohio State, followed by some of the top contenders to know.

CBSSports.com has a bracket with updated results. 

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Top Championship Contenders

Valparaiso

Chris Pietsch/Associated Press

Valparaiso hit the NIT unhappy the selection committee decided a hobbled Michigan squad and a few other questionable picks were better fits for the Big Dance. 

The Crusaders took out those frustrations Tuesday, dismantling the No. 8 Texas Southern Tigers in 84-73 fashion. Junior forward Alec Peters posted a game-high 28 points, and the Crusaders shot 49 percent from the floor despite losing the rebounding battle 39-35.

Valparaiso isn't done just yet, folks. Peters and Co. rank 49th in ESPN's RPI rankings and posted a positive 4-2 mark against the RPI Top 100. The two losses came by a combined 10 points. Over at KenPom.com, the Crusaders rank 16th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

So yes, the Crusaders have every right to flash some angry play while taking care of business. The goal has altered with the snub.

"We always set goals, and when you get derailed from one goal, you can't sulk about it," junior forward Jubril Adekoya said, according to Michael Osipoff of the Chicago Tribune. "You have to set another goal. We want to go to New York and win that."

Florida State, Georgia and more await the Crusaders, but with one of the best defenses in the nation and an offense hitting almost half its attempts, it's hard to doubt Adekoya and his team.

Monmouth

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Monmouth hits the NIT in the same way the Crusaders did—angry at a potential snub.

The Hawks are a tad more interesting, though. They won 27 games, sure, and sit 55th in RPI with a strong 6-4 mark against the RPI Top 100. Not bad for a small program unable to book droves of major opponents.

One problem—the Hawks also dropped three games to miserable competition, as Fox Sports' Stewart Mandel pointed out:

No matter where folks stand on the matter, they'll want to tune in Wednesday as the Hawks encounter eighth-seeded Bucknell.

The Hawks have some frustration to vent as well, and it should make for a fun time, as Justin Robinson (19.5 points per game) leads an offense that averaged 79 points per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep. 

Monmouth will eventually have to meet the winner of Ohio State-Florida State, which could wind up as the best game of the tournament. There, the Hawks will get a serious shot to prove they belonged in the Big Dance, further pushing for changes when it comes to how the selection committee addresses mid-majors.

Expect nothing short of the 27-win team to put on a show as it guns for the title.

Florida

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Florida isn't a mid-major by any means, but the Gators put on the biggest exclamation mark of a statement of anyone Tuesday, slamming seventh-seeded North Florida to the tune of a 97-68 laugher.

There, all five Gators starters poured in double-digit outputs, hitting a ridiculous 16 shots from deep, shooting 50 percent from behind the arc and 52 percent from the floor. The Gators also managed to win the battle on the glass 35-33 and forced 21 turnovers.

Florida coach Mike White spoke with the media after the game and beamed about his team's approach, according to Don Coble of the Florida Times Union.

“I thought it was going to be a close game. Our mentality was a huge concern of course. I’m really proud of these guys. To be told you’re not going to the NCAA, you didn’t do well enough, we didn’t do well enough, and these guys handled that with maturity.”

Call it a long time coming for the frustrated Gators, who missed out on the Big Dance despite an RPI of 52. A 7-13 mark against the RPI Top 100 seems rough, but keep in mind the team had to face an 16th-ranked strength of schedule.

The road doesn't get any easier for the Gators, who now have to dance with the Buckeyes in Ohio. But a team that is red hot from deep and ranks 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom.com can take on all comers with confidence.

Correct mentality in hand, Florida might run the table, top seed or not.

Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified. Advanced metrics courtesy of ESPN.com and KenPom.com. Odds courtesy of Odds Shark as of Tuesday morning.