TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama men's
basketball team earned a No. 1 seed in the 2013 National Invitation
Tournament and will host Northeastern on Tuesday, March 19 in the
opening round of the event. Alabama and the Huskies will tip off at 8
p.m. on ESPN2.
"We're thankful to the NIT committee for giving us the opportunity to
participate in the tournament this year, receive the No. 1 seed and the
opportunity to play at home," UA head coach Anthony Grant
said. "We are going to learn quite a bit about Northeastern here in the
next 24 hours. Obviously, I am familiar with their program having
coached in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) and coach (Bill) Coen
does a great job."
The Crimson Tide earned one of the four No. 1 seeds in the 32-team
field by virtue of its 21-12 regular-season record and a 12-6 mark in
Southeastern Conference play. Other No. 1 seeds include Kentucky,
Virginia and Southern Miss.
The Tide's first-round opponent, No. 8 seed Northeastern, travels to
Tuscaloosa after winning the Colonial Athletic Association regular
season title. The Huskies finished the season with a 20-12 overall
record and a 14-4 mark in league play.
"I know they played for the championship of the CAA Tournament and
won the regular season with a 14-4 league record," Grant said. "We are
playing a very good team. It looks like a great field in the NIT and we
are thankful we have been given the opportunity to play."
The NIT berth is the 12th in UA history with the program holding a
21-14 record in the event. Alabama last appeared in the NIT in 2011,
also earning a No. 1 seed. That year, the Crimson Tide reached the NIT
Finals, falling in the championship game to Wichita State.
The winner of Tuesday's game will face the victor of the Stanford-Stephen F. Austin contest at a time and date to be determined.
Alabama is one of six SEC teams to earn a berth in either the NCAA
Tournament or NIT. Joining the Crimson Tide in the NIT is Kentucky and
Tennessee, while Florida, Mississippi and Missouri each earned a spot in
the NCAA Tournament.
Source: www.rolltide.com
