2012 NIT Tournament Second Round Predictions

#5 Nevada over #8 Bucknell

Bucknell had a shocker over Arizona in the first round of the NIT Tournament. Their shocking will end against Nevada. Nevada in their first round game against Oral Roberts had forty-one rebounds with thirteen offensive rebounds. Bucknell did not rebound the ball well in their game against Arizona. Nevada will look to Olek Czyz and Dario Hunt as they had a combined twenty rebounds in the first round of the NIT Tournament. They will need to be center points of Nevada’s rebounding game and I feel as they will play amazingly against Bucknell in the second round of the NIT Tournament.

#7 Illinois St. over #3 Stanford

With this pick, you can call me a homer. Ever since I saw Illinois St. play against Creighton in the conference final of the MVC, I have just liked the way this team plays. They are a good team and definitely deserved to win their conference tournament and get into the NCAA Tournament. In my mind, there is no doubt that Illinois St. can win this game if they get the same performance out of freshman guard Nic Moore that they got in the first round of the NIT Tournament. In their first round game, Moore had twenty-four points along with ten assists. He will need to come out and play though because Stanford will not be an easy win. I believe because of depth if Illinois St. can stay out of foul trouble and manage stamina then they can win this game.

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