NIT Championship Preview

In what seems to be one of the least talked about NIT Championships in recent years, the St. Joseph's Hawks will take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. Neither team had much of a chance at an at-large bid going into Selection Sunday, but have made the most of their opportunity in the so-called "Not Invited Tournament."

On the perimeter, St. Joseph's may have an advantage. Dwayne Lee forced Memphis' Darius Washington into a very tough game in the semi-finals and can defend exceptionally well. Chat Stachitas is the second best scorer on the team, and has a solid mid-range game. However, the player that makes this team go is Pat Carroll, one of the top three point shooters in the country. He can single-handedly carry the Hawks in any game. Abdulai Jalloh is the lone back-up. On the other side of the ball, South Carolina is chalk full of athletic players in the backcourt. Josh Gonner and Tarence Kinsey are good scorers on the wings, while Tre Kelley is an above-average point guard, although he tends to turn the ball over too much. Rocky Trice is a decent backup swingman.

In the frontcourt, South Carolina has the edge because of the presence of Carlos Powell. One of the best players in the SEC, Powell lead the Gamecocks in scoring and rebounding at about 16 and 7 per game. The 'Cocks also have solid depth in the frontcourt, as four players rotate evenly at the other positions. Antoine Tisby, Brandon Wallace and Renaldo Balkman combine for 18 points and 14 rebounds per game. St. Joseph's frontcourt is headed by Dwayne Jones, who dominated against Memphis. He is among a select group in the country that averages a double-double. Jones goes for 11 points and 12 rebounds per night. Similar to South Carolina, the Hawks have a host of forwards that rotate on the frontline. John Bryant, Robert Ferguson, and Dave Mallon provide minutes, fouls, and sparse scoring and rebounding.

Both teams have star players in the frontcourt that can dominate a game. However, St. Joseph's has better balance, with Carroll and company on the perimeter offsetting any double teams put on Jones. As a result of that, in addition to their stifling defense, the Hawks will come out victorious with the NIT Championship.
Prediction: St. Joseph's by 5

NIT Final Four Preview

Memphis vs. St. Joseph’s: In what should be the better of the two games tonight, both of these teams will try to show that their lack of success in the non-conference season was not a reason to leave them out of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers and the Hawks lost in the respective conference championship games, although Memphis lost by one to Louisville after Darius Washington missed two of three free throws with no time left, while St. Joe’s got beaten handily by George Washington. Memphis has hit their stride recently, winning 6 of their past 7. They are lead by Washington at the point and Rodney Carney on the wing. Both can take over a game, especially Washington. Whenever the Tigers need a basket, Washington always seems to get it. Anthony Rice and Jeremy Hunt are two solid wing scorers. Duane Erwin and Joey Dorsey are the best post options they have. St. Joseph’s has won 15 of their past 18, was 14-2 in the Atlantic 10. Pat Carroll is one of the best shooters in the country and can keep the Hawks in the game. Chet Stachitas and Dwayne Lee help Carroll out on the perimeter. Dwayne Jones is the main inside player in the paint. As far as match-ups go, I don’t think that the Hawks have the athletes to deal with Carney and Washington. Neither team has much of an inside game. If the Tigers can hit their threes, they can blow this game open, as they have in every NIT game thus far. Prediction: Memphis by 11

Maryland vs. South Carolina: Both teams are surprised to be here, but for different reasons. Maryland expected to be playing in the NCAA Tournament, while South Carolina is happy to keep playing any basketball after their weak finish to the season. In a stark contrast to the first game, each squad struggled down the stretch to ruin any chance of making the Big Dance. Maryland is going to be without their best player, John Gilchrist, as they have the entire Tournament. Nik Caner-Medley and Chris McCray are going to have to step up in place of their leader. Both can score in bunches and carry the Terps. Ekene Ibekwe and Travis Garrison are both solid inside scorers that provide balance for Maryland. South Carolina revolves around Carlos Powell, their lone double figure scorer. He can be a dominate post player. Tre Kelley, Tarence Kinsey, and Josh Gonner are all athletic, decent scorers in the backcourt. The outcome will depend on how Maryland can stop Powell. I think that they will, given their extreme depth in the paint. South Carolina does not have anyone that can match-up on the wing with Caner-Medley, who can have a big game if he breaks out of his slump. The Terrapins depth and scoring ability will be too much for the Gamecocks. Prediction: Maryland by 7