UConn Learns First-Round NIT Opponent
AP
Jim Calhoun and the UConn Huskies will square off with Northeastern in the opening round of the NIT.
UConn is headed for the postseason, but it's not the tournament in which the team hoped to be playing.
The Huskies were a No. 4 seed in the National Invitational Tournament bracket released Sunday. They will take on Northeastern University Tuesday at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs at 7 p.m. Northeastern just happens to be the last place Calhoun coached before taking the helm at UConn in 1986.
UConn's 17-15 record this year was just not enough to get them into the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament, but they will be joined by several other perennial basketball powerhouses in the NIT, including North Carolina, Illinois and Memphis.
Calhoun and the Huskies have a history in the NIT, winning the tournament in 1988, starting the team on a rise to national prominence that would include three final four appearances, and National Championships in 1999 and 2004.
UConn won't be the only team from Connecticut in the NIT. Quinnipiac is in as a No. 8 seed, travelling to play No. 1 seed Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia Wednesday night. It is the first NIT appearance in Quinnipiac school history. The Bobcats had a shot at winning the NEC title and its automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, but lost in the final to Robert Morris.
The NIT final will be held April 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Posted Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 10:25 PM EST
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