Tulsa @ Kent State - NIT preview

The Kent State men's basketball program will be making its 11th post-season appearance in the last 12 years when they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane tonight at the M.A.C. Center at 7:00 p.m. in the first round of the NIT.

Kent State has won 13 of their last 15 games but is coming off an 81-64 loss to eventual MAC tournament champion Ohio last Thursday in a MAC quarterfinal game.  Kent State is making its eighth appearance in the NIT and first since 2005.  The Golden Flashes' RPI of 46 is the third highest amongst the 32-team NIT field trailing only Rhode Island (40) and UAB (45).

Tulsa, led by fifth year coach Doug Wojcik, is coming off a 75-61 loss to UTEP in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament on Friday.  The Golden Hurricane are led by 6-3 guard Ben Uzoh (15.3 ppg) and 7-0 center Jerome Jordan (15.2 ppg).  This is the 10th time in school history that Tulsa will play in the NIT.  The Golden Hurricane program are no strangers to post-season success other than the NCAA winning the 2008 CBI, 2001 NIT and 1981 NIT.

Should Kent State win they will take on the winner of the Illinois @ Stony Brook match up that will be played tonight at 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU.  NIT Bracket.

Kent State game notes

Ford wants Flashes to roll with NIT pick - Akron Beacon Journal

Mental preparation will be key for Golden Flashes - Record Courier

Former Auburn star Simpson to play for Kent State in NIT - Rockford Register Star

Tulsa game notes

Seniors head into stretch - Tulsa World

Postseason bid excites Tulsa - Tulsa World

Tulsa begins preparations for NIT game at Kent State - Tulsa World

Know the Foe: Kent State Golden Flashes - Tulsa World

Tulsa coach talks about Kent State - NewsFlashes