NIT East Region Breakdown

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#1 West Virginia vs #8 Delaware State

You have to feel bad for Delaware State. They've absolutely dominated the MEAC two years in a row and lost a heartbreaker in the conference championship both years . After this year though, the Hornets lose just about every player to graduation, including two time MEAC POY Jahsha Bluntt. They're known for their very stingy defense and slow tempo. On the other side, Coach Beilein has to be praised for his work getting West Virginia this far. After being picked to finish last in the Big East, it's amazing they were even in contention for a tournament berth. Both of these teams lack a true back to the basket post player and can shoot the three. This should be a closely contested defensive battle. Delaware State must defend the arc and make every offensive possession count ( 334 out of 336 teams in offensive possessions per game ). Unfortunately for Delaware State, West Virginia runs a unique offense that is very hard to prepare for in a matter of two days. Then there's that home court advantage thing..

West Virginia 64 Delaware State 51

#2 Oklahoma State vs #7 Marist

Like Florida State, the Cowboys were another team that were thought to have locked up a tournament bid earlier in the season. Having completely fallen apart during the past couple of months, they should be happy to get this high of a seed in the NIT much less make the tournament. Marist's defense should also clear up any problems OSU was having offensively. Marist can certainly hang with Oklahoma State in the scoring column with their two-headed guard duo that consists of one of the best PG in the nation Jared Jordan ( 17.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 8.8 apg ) and three point shooter Will Whittington ( 17.1 ppg. 40% from 3 ) . The Red Foxes' ultimate demise, like it has been most of the season, will be their defense. There's no way in my mind they can stop Mario Boggan or JamesOn Curry.

Oklahoma State 84 Marist 76

#3 Drexel vs #6 North Carolina State

Drexel definitely has a valid complaint after being left out of the tourney. They have even more of a complaint after being seeded 3rd in the NIT. That's not even to mention they then have to play one of the hottest teams coming into this tournament. It appears as if the Dragons got screwed in every way. Since Engin Atsur has returned for the Wolfpack, they've beaten Virginia Tech three times, UNC once, Virginia once, and Duke once. Having played four games in four days in the ACC tournament and with Atsur's hamstring becoming an issue again, it'll be interesting to see how they play against a rested and angry Drexel team. The Dragons have two huge bodies in the paint with Chaz Crawford ( 6.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.3 bpg ) and Frank Elegar ( 16 ppg, 6.9 rpg ) that could wear North Carolina State down. Though those two could pose matchup problems for North Carolina State, the Wolfpack can provide matchup problems of their own. Every single player NCSU uses is over 6'4 and Drexel lacks the necessary wings to really match up defensively with players like Gavin Grant, Courtney Fells, and Brandon Costner who routinely drifts behind the arc. I'll take a team that's playing very well together and will be playing loose after their fairly amazing run in the ACC tourney over a team whose coach has been whining since Selection Sunday ( though he does have a beef ).

North Carolina State 69 Drexel 66

#4 UMass vs #5 Alabama

Alabama is beat up, plays lethargic, lacks any kind of post or transition defense, can't win on the road, makes the UCLA high post offense look like a joke, and is just a really dumb basketball team in general. That doesn't exactly spark confidence in me when you look at UMass' low post duo of Rashaun Freeman ( 15.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg ) and Stephane Lasme ( 13.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5 bpg ) and how they will likely tear apart Alabama's interior defense. Alabama's Richard Hendrix can't play more than three minutes without being gassed which in turn means he's late on any kind of transition play and Jermareo Davidson doesn't know the meaning of help defense or stepping up in the lane. That's not even mentioning the Minutemen's Gary Forbes, who at 6'7 stepping out behind the three point line, will be a huge matchup problem for Alabama. Alonzo Gee or Mykal Riley will likely match up against him and both are terrible defending the arc. It appeared as if Alabama was done with this season after their blowout home loss to Auburn and there's no reason to think they're going to change their poor ways in the 32nd game. I can definitely see this one being a blowout. Atleast "defensive guru" Tom Asbury will likely be stepping down as an assistant coach after the season ( after this game I should say ).

UMass 81 Alabama 68