NCAA Basketball: 2021 NIT Season Tip-Off preview and predictions

Predictions for the NIT Season Tip-Off

Semifinals

The first semifinal will see Memphis taking on Iowa State in a game that should be an easy win for the superior athletically talented Tigers over the rebuilding Cyclones with a first-year coach. Memphis should be able to find advantages all over the floor, especially in the frontcourt where Bates and Duren can exploit the weaker part of Iowa State’s roster. The Cyclones are stronger in the backcourt, but even there the Tigers likely have a talent advantage. Memphis should be able to coast into the final in this game.

Prediction: Memphis 81, Iowa State 65

The other semifinal has Virginia Tech battling the Xavier Musketeers in what should be a very good game between two teams that have strength in the frontcourt. Nunge and Jerome Hunter battling with Aluma and Mutts will be an intriguing aspect to watch. But, for me the pendulum swings in the favor of the Musketeers because I like the ability of Scruggs and Jones just a bit more than Murphy, Cattoor, and the Virginia Tech guards. Xavier wins a tight one to head to the final.

Prediction: Xavier 68, Virginia Tech 65

Finals

The final will see Memphis and Xavier going at it for the NIT Season Tip-Off championship. The Tigers get their stiffest test of the season here and this is a game where Memphis has an advantage in frontcourt talent, and that is not a knock on who the Musketeers have, it’s more about just how good the Memphis freshmen are.

Coach Hardaway will get the turnover bugs straightened out (at least for the time being). The Xavier guards will keep them within striking distance but Memphis is too talented and will walk away with the crown.

Prediction: Memphis 78, Xavier 71