March 15, 2009

Hokies to host Duquesne in NIT first round contest
Virginia Tech will be the second seed in their bracket of the 2009 National Invitation Tournament. The Hokies will host seventh-seed Duquesne on Wednesday night in Cassell Coliseum. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

The Hokies are 18-14 overall and 7-9 in ACC action, while the Dukes are 21-12 on the season and finished 9-7 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Duquesne is coached by former Virginia Tech player Ron Everhart. The Hokies and the Dukes were both members of the A-10 from 1995-2000. The Hokies are 7-5 all-time against the Dukes.

The winner of Wednesday night’s game will face the winner of the Baylor-Georgetown game, to be played Wednesday night at 9 p.m., in Waco, Texas. Time and location of second-round games will be announced at a later date. 

Miami Opens NIT at Providence on Wednesday
The fourth-seeded University of Miami men's basketball team will travel to fifth-seeded Providence for the first round of the National Invitation Tournament on Wed., March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. ESPN2 will broadcast the game live.

The winner advances to the second round to take on the winner of the contest between top-seeded Florida (23-10) and eighth-seeded Jacksonville (18-13). Those two teams square off in Gainesville on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The Hurricanes (18-12) are making their fourth postseason appearance in five seasons under Haith. It marks the 15th postseason appearance for the Hurricanes and the ninth NIT appearance in program history. Miami advanced to the third round in the 2005-06 NIT, knocking off Oklahoma State at home and winning on the road at Creighton before falling at Michigan.