Ask Mr. Preview: The NIT Tournament

Wait. I thought the Huskies didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, why do they have a game tonight?

The Huskies did not make the tournament for the first time since 2008; however, they were selected as a number one seed in the NIT (National Invitation Tournament). The women start play in the WNIT tomorrow night, and San Francisco will host Wazzu in the CBI Tournament.

When did college basketball become club soccer? Wait, did we recently lose a war to France? I knew I was noticing more crêperies!

No, the United States did not lose a war to France. The other post-season tournaments are definitely nowhere near as popular or prestigious as the NCAAs, and are usually looked down upon by fans. However, the NIT has been around since 1933, and currently consists of 32 teams with the Final Four played in Madison Square Garden. The Huskies first game is 7 p.m. at Hec Ed vs. UT-Arlington.

I’ve never heard of them.

Well, they are nicknamed the Mavericks. They won the Southland Conference but lost in the semis of their tournament. They are the second biggest school in University of Texas system, a popular campus tradition is bed racing, and Lou Diamond Phillips is an alumnus.

Golden-Globe-Nominated Lou Diamond Phillips?!?!

And Tony-Award Nominee.

Who cares about Nickelodeon? Back to the Huskies, who would they play if they win?

If, if, if they were to win tonight, their region includes such teams as Northwestern, LSU, Oregon, and Dayton.

Dayton? I thought we were casual.

Excuse me?

It’s called a joke, look it up.

Ah, yes.

How do I get tickets?

Until the Huskies are knocked out or advance to New York all games will be played at Hec Ed and tickets are available through gohuskies.com. The games are usually on an ESPN station. Tonight’s is on ESPNU.

Hey! UT-Arlington plays in the Southland conference and Lou Diamond Phillips was last seen on the TV show Southland. What do you think that means?

Everything.