NIT Final Four Recap

Semifinal Matchups

The Wichita State Shockers came into the Final Four of the NIT being the “small dog” among the other three teams representing BCS conferences.  The Shockers clearly had a chip on their shoulders Tuesday night because they took out their frustration on Washington State, dismantling the Cougars 75-44. Wichita State also played tremendous defense holding the Pac-10’s leading scorer Klay Thompson to 9 points.  The Shockers shot 48 percent from the field and grabbed 25 more rebounds than their opponent.

The Colorado Buffaloes took on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the other matchup.  The Crimson Tide jumped to a halftime lead of 36-30.  With 10 minutes left in the games, the Buffaloes' Alec Burks made a layup to give Colorado the lead.  Both teams traded baskets for the remaining 10 minutes of the game.  With 13 seconds left, Alabama’s Trevor Releford made a lay up to give the Crimson Tide a 62-61 lead. Alabama won the game and advanced Thursday night’s final.

 

Player of the Colorado/Alabama Game

Alabama’s JaMychal Green shot 11-for-16 (69 percent) from the field in only 26 minutes.  Green scored a game high 22 points as well as five rebounds to lead the Crimson Tide to the thrilling victory over Colorado.  The Birmingham native has scored in double figures in all but four of the games he has played this year.

 

Player of the Wichita State/Washington State Game

Wichita State’s 7’0" junior, Garrett Stutz, scored 24 points and went 10-for-13 (77 percent) from the field in just 25 minutes of play.  Stutz also grabbed 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.  The center also hit a rare three-pointer to cap off his best scoring performance of the year.

 

NIT Final

The Wichita State Shockers took on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Finals of the NIT Tournament in New York at Madison Square Garden.  The game was extremely even the entire first half with Wichita leading 37-34.  The second half was dominated by the Shockers and their three-point shooting. 

Wichita State went 7-for-15 (47 percent) from behind the arc compared to the Crimson Tide’s 2-for-14 (14 percent).  The Shockers also shot 50 percent from the field compared to Alabama’s 38 percent.  Graham Hatch buried two consecutive three pointers in the final minutes to seal the victory. 

Wichita State beat Alabama 66-57 to capture their first ever NIT Championship.  They finished their season with an impressive 29-8 record and a five game winning streak throughout the tournament. 

 

Player of the Game

Alabama’s 6’6" Tony Mitchell scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.  He was the only player for either team that recorded a double-double.  Mitchell shot 50 percent from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.  He grabbed five offensive rebounds and played 33 minutes.  The sophomore recorded five double-doubles on the season.

Rebecca Romijn Nadine Velazquez Pink Mila Kunis Samaire Armstrong