NIT 2016 Schedule: TV Coverage, Online Live Stream Guide for Championship

Like its bigger counterpart, the NIT became anything but boring as things headed toward the Final Four and later decided which teams will meet for a shot at the championship. 

A showdown at Madison Square Garden between the No. 1 Valparaiso Crusaders and No. 4 George Washington Colonials says this well enough.

Valpo, a notable snub from the NCAA tournament, has run roughshod over the small bracket and looks to make one final statement to the selection committee. George Washington, on the other hand, hopes it has one last surprise in store by completing a Cinderella run of its own.

NIT Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	TV	Live Stream	Matchup
March 31	7 p.m.	ESPN	WatchESPN	No. 1 Valparaiso vs. No. 4 George Washington

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

Preview 

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Few expected George Washington to make it this far, but the Colonials stand as a strong example of the "anything is possible in a bracket" mantra folks love to throw around. 

George Washington didn't do anything wildly statistically impressive, facing a 123rd-ranked strength of schedule and grabbing 23 wins to sit 65th in ESPN's RPI rankings. The team prides itself on offense, ranking 27th in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom.com, but leaves much to be desired by slotting 122nd in the opposite defensive category.

The Colonials laugh in the face of numbers now, though, having bested No. 1 Monmouth, 82-71, No. 2 Florida, 82-77 and No. 2 San Diego State, 65-46.

The last one was the biggest shocker because the Aztecs entered ranked third in adjusted defensive efficiency, yet the Colonials shot 42.6 percent from the floor,  dished 17 assists and only turned the ball over six times.

It's bad news for Valpo. The Crusaders are the polar opposite of the Colonials, sitting 49th in RPI and ranked sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency but 116th in offensive. The offense has maneuvered past No. 4 Florida State 81-69 and a pair of No. 2 seeds with a 60-44 win against Saint Mary's and a 72-70 escape of BYU.

So what gives in a war of wills?

Hard to say, but even if the seeds aren't as eye popping as some might have hoped, the NIT's final encounter makes for a great war of strengths with plenty of star power that will decide the game outright.

Prediction 

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

As hinted, this one comes down to the star players. 

Tyler Cavanaugh paces the Colonials, averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 42 percent from deep. He's scored 20 or more points in every NIT contest and has the opposition signing his praises.

“He’s very skilled for his 6'9" size,” Valparaiso coach Bryce Drew said, according to USA Today's Michael Stern. “He can shoot the ball, and he can score down low. We know he can score in a variety of ways, so that will be a challenge for us to see what matchup we can slow him down with.”

Valpo has Alec Peters, though, a guy averaging 18.4 points and shooting 45 percent from long range, and he's shot 33 percent or better from range in each contest.

Numbers don't tell the whole story with how George Washington has upped its play in the bracket, but they do say Valpo has consistently been the better team in the face of tougher opposition. Numbers also say Valpo has more size and an ability to win the battle on the glass.

In a paced contest, it's Valpo's size and defense that will dictate the outcome, as second chances on the boards to reset and try again will provide a major advantage. Look for the Crusaders to make the proper halftime adjustments and control the pace down the stretch.

Prediction: Valpo 77, George Washington 73

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