Busting Brackets
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National Invitation Tournament: Four best opening round games of 2018

By Bryan Mauro

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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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) /

#6 Vermont Catamounts vs #3 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

Tuesday March 13th, 8:00 PM EST

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

ESPNU

This could be the best first round matchup of the tournament.  This matchup has two teams who dominated their conference, but lost in their conference tournaments.  The Blue Raiders and the Catamounts both received the automatic bids into the NIT tournament.  The Blue Raiders won the Conference USA regular season and the Catamounts won the America East regular season.

One factor to watch for MTSU is going to be how motivated they are to play?  The Blue Raiders were very much on the bubble going into selection Sunday, and the team was reportedly devastated when they were not selected and relegated to the NIT. The Raiders star Nick King was seen sitting in the exact same seat in the Blue Raiders film room, after the selections were announced.  King is the star and the leader of the Blue Raiders.  MTSU is a team that is loaded with talent and are an early pick to win this tournament, if they can find the motivation.

Another story line to watch in this game is regarding the Middle Tennessee head coach.  Kermit Davis is rumored to be the front runner for the Ole Miss job opening.  Are the Raiders going to send their coach out in style?  Or could this be an added distraction to an already disappointing week.  If the Blue Raiders can put it all together no one is going to want to play them in this tournament.  Especially if you have to play them in Murfreesboro.

The Vermont Catamounts also endured some heartbreak in the last week. The Catamounts were never in play for an at large, but they did lose in the America East finals to a good UMBC squad.  This was a huge upset because the Catamounts dominated their league this year.  Vermont is led by Anthony Lamb and Trae Bell-Haynes, these guys set up the offense and are the two players the Catamounts go to when they need offense.

Vermont is a veteran team with NCAA tournament experience much like MTSU. The Catamounts and Blue Raiders can both a make a run in this tournament.  It may be a battle early on as both teams may be experiencing some heartbreak hangover.

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