Early signs suggest this year's NIT could match the Big Dance blow-for-blow.
It's only a slight exaggeration too, as the first round of the tournament accustomed to sitting in second place provided jarring upsets, inspiring individual performances and outcomes that make the rest of the bracket a must-see affair.
Above all else, eighth-seeded South Dakota State toppling No. 1 Colorado State personifies this time of year—madness. Of course, it also makes the selection committee smile at all who doubted some of the notable omissions from the Big Dance in favor of Indianas and UCLAs.
Alas, the NIT isn't something to sleep on this year, as an updated look at the bracket reveals. Jesse Hooker, director of athletics communications at George Washington, provides an image of bracket:
The Round 2 schedule and matchups to catch rest below.
NIT Round 2 Schedule
Printable NIT bracket is also available on NCAA.com.
Breaking Down Top Round 2 Matchups
No. 1 Temple vs. No. 5 George Washington
Temple just managed to avoid the same fate as fellow No. 1 seed Colorado State, overcoming eighth-seeded Bucknell in 73-67 fashion in Philadelphia.
Angry the Owls didn't make the Big Dance, guard Will Cummings took out his frustration on the Bison with a game-high 30 points.
"We don't really want to go out on a sour note," Cummings said, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "It would be bad if we didn't make the NCAA Tournament and then we came out here and lost, too. That's not really how we want to go out. That's not how I want to go out as a senior."
Temple was one of the more confusing teams leading up to the bracket reveal, placing 34th in ESPN's RPI rankings but carrying a 2-8 tally against the RPI Top 50.
Perhaps more confusing is how Cummings and Co. will match up with George Washington. The Colonials just sent Pittsburgh home behind 17 points from Kethan Savage off the bench, a showcase of depth that may give the Owls some issues.
George Washington continues to be one of the more erratic, dangerous teams this postseason. After all, coach Mike Lonergan's team touts upsets of then-No. 11 Wichita State, Richmond and Dayton this year—upending Temple isn't out of the question.
It makes for a must-see affair between a pair of angry teams full of offensive firepower. So long as Cummings remains in form, though, it's hard to root against one of the tournament's favorites.
Prediction: Temple 75, George Washington 70
No. 3 Murray State vs. No. 2 Tulsa
Think the selection committee robbed Temple?
Look at Murray State, perhaps the biggest Cinderella pick of all before the committee left the Racers out of the Big Dance.
Sure, the Racers rank 64th in RPI, but an 18th ranking in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom.com and an individual superstar in Cameron Payne figured to give the team a strong fighting chance against the best of the best.
Instead, Murray State whipped around sixth-seeded UTEP to start the NIT, shooting 49.2 percent from the field while center Jarvis Williams bullied his way to 25 points and 14 rebounds and T.J. Sapp poured in 21 points.
Payne was his usual self, scoring 14 and doling out 10 assists.
Contrast it with Tulsa, a second seed in Region 4 looking a bit shaky already after a 70-67 escape of the William & Mary Tribe.
Tulsa has a major claim to anger over the Big Dance too, ranking 47th in RPI and 14th in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom.com.
The storyline is obvious—elite offense vs. elite defense. When it comes to something like that, momentum and star players come into play. With those factors in mind, the Racers are the obvious eventual winner thanks to Payne and a stunning display of inside-outside proficiency.
Which doesn't mean it won't be fun to watch, of course.
Prediction: Murray State 79, Tulsa 76
Stats and info are courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
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