NIT 2016: Bracket Predictions for Updated Schedule

Like the bigger NCAA tournament, the NIT features just a single No. 1 seed among its final four contenders vying for a championship.

Smaller but just as attention-worthy is the best way to explain the so-called consolation bracket. The last four boast a little bit of everything, from a disgruntled No. 1 Valparaiso to an unexpected appearance from No. 4 George Washington and a defensive juggernaut in No. 2 San Diego State that probably could have made a deep run in the Big Dance.

All four probably could have, really.

Alas, the four instead take to Madison Square Garden this week to keep the dream alive.

NIT Bracket and Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	TV	Matchup
March 29	7 p.m.	ESPN	No. 1 Valparaiso vs. No. 2 BYU
March 29	9 p.m.	ESPN	No. 4 George Washington vs. No. 2 San Diego State

Updated bracket can be found here, courtesy of NCAA.com. Full schedule and broadcast information are courtesy of NESN.com.

What They're Saying: No. 1 Valparaiso vs. No. 2 BYU

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Valparaiso gets most of the attention going into the semifinal encounter with BYU, as it should.

The Crusaders stood as a notable snub after Selection Sunday, boasting a 49th slotting in ESPN's RPI rankings and a No. 8 spot in KenPom.com's adjusted defensive efficiency ratings. A 179th-rated strength of schedule didn't help matters, though.

Although, BYU certainly deserves its fair share of the spotlight. The Cougars don't tout impressive numbers anywhere close to the opposition's, but they make up for it by overcoming adversity, most recently outlasting No. 4 Creighton, 88-82.

BYU coach Dave Rose touched on the subject with Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune:

"

This team has been able to respond to disappointment, and then has been able to take advantage of it. We got ourselves in a league chase, and couldn't finish it. And then we got another chance [in the WCC Tournament] and couldn't finish it. But we got a chance here, and now we have a chance to go finish it, and hopefully we can.

"

A dangerous, proven and motivated underdog can do serious damage to any opponent—just look at what Syracuse has accomplished in the bigger bracket.

A team averaging 84 points per game with 17 assists and shooting 47 percent from the floor and 38 percent from deep isn't out of the running against any opponent this time of year.

Prediction

As impressive as Rose's team has been to keep pushing, it's important to keep in mind the Cougars are a second seed with the hype of a lesser seed—beating a No. 3 and No. 2 by a combined nine points isn't screaming BYU as a contender.

Valparaiso hasn't had any such issues proving it belongs—it probably should have gone dancing. The Crusaders have posted 84, 81 and 60 points so far. That last number seems small, but consider the context—a 60-44 decimation of No. 2 Saint Mary's.

A battle-tested BYU team will put up a fight, but this one eventually goes to the higher seed thanks to a suffocating defense yet to truly face a test.

Prediction: Valparaiso 77, BYU 72

What They're Saying: No. 4 George Washington vs. No. 2 San Diego State

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

As hinted in the intro, San Diego State looks like the team that would have made the most noise in the NCAA tournament had the selection committee agreed on it. 

Sitting 42nd in the RPI rankings, the real appeal to the Aztecs is the defense, which ranks second in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency. Such prowess on that end of the court has shown, too, as only one tournament opponent has posted more than 56 points against the team.

For Trey Kell, a slotting in the final four also stands as a chance to prove the team's potency on the offensive end of the court, as captured by the Associated Press (via the Press-Enterprise):

"

We all have our utmost confidence right now, from me to Dakarai, Sky, Winston (Shepard), everyone on the team. We all have confidence in our abilities. We have confidence that if we have an open shot, we’re going to make it. If someone has the open shot, we’ll pass it to them. Right now we’re just making the right play and everything’s starting to fall for us.

"

Indeed, in a 72-56 thumping of Georgia Tech in the last round, the Aztecs hit on a gaudy 45 percent of their shots and 43 percent from deep.

Such a well-rounded attack grants a team obvious confidence, if not a serious advantage with four left standing in the bracket.

Prediction 

George Washington isn't Syracuse by any means, but the unexpected run through the bracket has been almost as fun to watch. 

The Colonials, 65th in RPI with an exploitable 144th slot in adjusted defensive efficiency, escaped No. 5 Hofstra 82-80, then stunned No. 1 Monmouth 87-71 and followed with an 82-77 escape of No. 2 Florida.

Against San Diego State, the question becomes whether Tyler Cavanaugh (16.8 points per game) can do enough on his own against the second-best defense in the nation while his rough defense can shutter an attack firing on all cylinders.

Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one, like it or not. As much as it would make for a fun time if George Washington kept the unexpected dream alive, the Aztecs are a team that should have gone dancing and wants everyone to know it.

Expect this one to get lopsided the longer it drags out.

Prediction: San Diego State 79, George Washington 68 

Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified. Advanced metrics courtesy of ESPN.com and KenPom.com.