Virgina Tech and Cincinnati to clash in NIT first roundVirgina Tech and Cincinnati to clash in NIT first round
Men's Basketball

Virgina Tech and Cincinnati to clash in NIT first round

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Cincinnati (21-12, 11-7 AAC) 
vs. Virginia Tech (19-14, 8-12 ACC) 
March 15, 2023
Fifth Third Arena
9 p.m. ET
ESPN2
Virginia Tech Sports Network

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech continues to fight on this week, as the Hokies travel to Cincinnati on Wednesday night for a first round NIT matchup. Mike Corey and Perry Clark will be on the call at 9 p.m. for ESPN2, while Zach Mackey and Mike Burnop will provide coverage for the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
  

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SCOUTING THE BEARCATS

  • The Bearcats finished the regular season 20-11 before splitting a pair of games in the AAC Tournament, ultimately falling to top-seeded Houston.
  • Cincinnati is led in scoring by redshirt-senior Landers Nolley II (16.6 ppg), a first team All-Conference selection. The former Virginia Tech guard has a history in the NIT after being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 2021 with Memphis.
  • This is Cincinnati's 11th appearance in the NIT and its first since 2010.

The Series

  • The former Metro Conference foes will square off for the 31st time Wednesday night in Ohio. It will be the first meeting since the 1991 Metro Conference Tournament, in which Tech won 75-69 in Roanoke, Va. 
  • Winners of the last two matchups, the Hokies lead the Cincinnati series 18-12. 
  • Tech is 5-8 against the Bearcats in Cincinnati. 
  • Mike Young and Wes Miller are set to face each other for the 19th time. Young has a 10-8 head-to-head record against Miller from their days leading Wofford and UNCG, respectively. 

HOKIE HEADLINES

  • Grant Basile has scored double figures in 17 straight games. He has broken the 20-point mark in seven of the last 14 contests. Over the last 14 games, Basile is averaging 19.9 ppg. 
  • Hunter Cattoor is first in the ACC in 3FG% at 42.4% (75-177). He's had at least three treys in six of his last eight games. 
  • Tech will be competing in the NIT for the 14th time in program history and the first time since 2016 when it advanced to the Round of 16. 
  • Rodney Rice dialed up a season-high 17 points on 5 for 7 shooting from three against NC State. 

TOURNEY TIME

  • The Hokies earned a bid to the NIT for the 14th time in program history. They won this event in 1973 and 1995. 
  • Tech celebrated the 50th anniversary of its 1973 NIT championship team last October in Hahn Hurst in conjunction with honoring the 2022 ACC title. 
  • The Hokies are 25-11 all-time in the NIT, including a 12-1 mark in their first game of the tournament. They have not lost their first game in the NIT since their first appearance in 1966 (vs. Temple, 73-88). 
  • Tech will be opening the NIT on the road for the first time since 1973 when all games were played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 
  • Tuesday will be the Hokies' first-ever true road game to open the NIT. 

UP NEXT

  • The winner of Wednesday's game will face the winner of No. 1 seed Rutgers vs. Hofstra.