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National Invitation Tournament: Four best opening round games of 2018

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 18: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders reacts in the first half against the Butler Bulldogs during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 18, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 18: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders reacts in the first half against the Butler Bulldogs during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 18, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 08: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 08: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

The 2018 NIT Tournament has some intriguing matchups in the first round. Here are four games to watch for.

On Sunday night when the NIT bracket was revealed, the bubble teams knew their fate and whether they would host a game or have to go on the road. The NIT field is interesting in that Mid Majors from non-Power 6 conferences receive an automatic bid into the NIT if they do not receive the auto bid in the NCAA tournament.

These non-Power 6 teams are often motivated to make the most of their postseason lives.  The Power 6 teams who were on the NCAA tournament bubble, often times are not as motivated as they should be, and some can get bounced out early.  The teams in this tournament who seem to be the most motivated to play are those teams who have something to prove.  The teams who just missed the tournament normally are still reeling from their near-miss that it takes them awhile to catch their bearings in the NIT.

The 2018 NIT field does not have its shortage of great matchups.  This is one of the most talented NIT fields there has been in a long time.  The NCAA tournament bubble was strong this year, and the NIT is going to reap the benefits.  This years field features some newcomers and some mid-major teams who despite a loss in their conference tournaments belong in the NCAA tournament.

The following 4 games are the games that will grab the attention of the nation before the NCAA tournament gets in full swing.  The first round games will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday before the NCAA tournament starts on Thursday.