NIT 2017: TV Schedule, Live-Stream Info for Tournament Bracket Reveal

The men's National Invitational Tournament bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 12 from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU and can be live-streamed on WatchESPN.

Here's a look at the NIT schedule as it currently stands, as well as a look at whether some bubble teams will be heading to the NCAA tournament or leading the NIT field.

Men's NIT Schedule

Rounds	Dates	Cities	Locations
First	Tuesday, March 14, and Wednesday, March 15	Campus Sites	TBD
Second	Thursday, March 16, through Monday, March 20	Campus Sites	TBD
Quarterfinals	Tuesday, March 21, and Wednesday, March 22	Campus Sites	TBD
Semifinals	Tuesday, March 28	New York City	Madison Square Garden
Championship	Thursday, March 30	New York City	Madison Square Garden

Information via ncaa.com.

Syracuse

The Orange present a very difficult case for the selection committee.

'Cuse plays in the ACC, one of the toughest conferences in the country, but the Orange struggled throughout conference play, finishing eighth overall. Syracuse also had an ugly win-loss record (18-14), ratings percentage index ranking (82nd) and non-conference strength of schedule (218th), per ESPN.com.

On the plus side, Syracuse has six wins against teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI, with the highlights being victoriess over Florida State, Virginia and Duke, all of whom are in the top 15.

That being said, the Orange also have very bad losses against Boston College and St. John's, teams that won't be playing in any postseason tournament this year.

Right now, Joe Lunardi of ESPN has Syracuse as one of his last four teams in, while Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report lists 'Cuse as one of his first teams out.

Ultimately, Syracuse will be rewarded for its three wins against those in the top 15 of the RPI, coupled with the fact that the ACC is a very tough conference likely to send nine teams (outside Syracuse) to the tournament.

Pick: First Four of NCAA tournament

Iowa

Iowa is in a similar boat. The Hawkeyes played in a tough, deep conference and finished in the middle of the pack, taking seventh place. Like Syracuse, Iowa also lost in its first conference game. However, while Syracuse only lost by five (62-57 to Miami), Iowa was crushed by No. 10 seed Indiana, 95-73.

Positives for Iowa include five wins against teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI as well as a winning conference record (10-8 in the regular season), per ESPN.com. Those wins include victories over Big Ten regular-season champion Purdue, in-state rival Iowa State and Maryland, all of whom are making the NCAA tournament, no questions asked.

The negatives, however, outweigh the positives. The Hawkeyes have a few bad losses to teams outside the RPI top 100 (Memphis and Omaha) and aren't passing the eye test with their ugly loss to a Hoosiers team that is almost certainly headed to the NIT. They also have a weak RPI (71st), overall win-loss record (18-13) and non-conference strength of schedule (135rd).

The Hawkeyes' resume isn't too dissimilar from Syracuse's, but the Orange get the slight edge because they have more quality wins on their resume.

Pick: One of the first four out and a No. 1 seed in NIT

Illinois State

The Redbirds cruised to a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title, going 17-1 in league play, but they faltered in the conference championship game with a 71-51 loss to Wichita State.

ISU went 26-6 against Division I opponents this year and didn't lose to any team outside Wichita State after December 23, going 20-2 in their last 22 games. The Redbirds also have a very strong RPI ranking (36th), per ESPN.com.

The problem with ISU is that it hasn't beaten anyone in the top 80 of the RPI outside Wichita State. The Redbirds also have a weak strength of schedule (158th) and a few bad losses to teams outside the top 100 in RPI (No. 131 Tulsa and No. 231 Murray State).

While ISU has a stellar win-loss record, it's a bit inflated thanks to a weaker schedule. ISU had a great season, but it will end with an NIT appearance.

Pick: One of the first four out and a No. 1 seed in NIT