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NCAA Basketball: 2019 NIT Season Tip-Off preview and predictions

By Donovan Darlington

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Mississippi Rebels is seen during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Mississippi Rebels is seen during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Prediction

In all honesty, this is a very difficult tournament field to assess. I honestly feel like there is not a clear favorite. Also, there is still a lot that we need to learn about a few of these teams. The NIT Season Tip-Off may provide us with answers, but we honestly do not know too much going in.

When analyzing the field, I see four teams that are all coming in with something to prove. All seem to be underrated, and they all are not receiving the attention they deserve. For that reason, they will all approach this tournament with a chip on their shoulder.

So, that brings us to the point where we try to pick a winner. We have the talent of Penn State, the experience and leadership of Ole Miss, the defense of well-coached Syracuse, and the unknown Oklahoma State Cowboys trying to make a statement. It truly is a toss-up, but here is how I think the week in Brooklyn will go.

Semifinals

  • Penn State vs. Ole Miss | Wednesday, Nov. 27 | 5:00 | ESPN 2 |

Winner: Ole Miss

  • Syracuse vs. Oklahoma State | Wednesday, Nov. 27 | 7:00 | ESPN 2 |

Winner: Oklahoma State

3rd Place Game

  • Penn State vs. Syracuse | Friday, Nov. 27 | 7:00 |

Winner: Penn State

Finals

  • Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma State | Friday, Nov. 27 | 9:00 |

Winner: Ole Miss

I honestly think that Ole Miss Rebels will have a strong rebound from their loss to Memphis. They will show up in Brooklyn ready to go and make no mistake about proving that they can compete against and beat just about anybody in NCAA basketball.

Top 25 power rankings. dark. Next

Tune in Wednesday and Friday because this year’s NIT Season Tip-Off will certainly be worth watching.

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