Miami Basketball to Face Valparaiso in the NIT
March 11, 2012
CORAL GABLES, Fla. –The University of Miami men’s basketball team was selected as the No. 2 seed for the 2012 Men’s Basketball National Invitation Tournament and will face Valparaiso in Coral Gables on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
UM has now been selected to play in the postseason 13 of the past 18 years, and six times in the last eight seasons. The Canes are 6-10 overall in the NIT, playing in the Quarterfinals in 2011 and 2006, a pair of Second Round appearances in 2009 and 1963, and six First Round games in 2005, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1964 and 1961.
Miami returns to the NIT after posting a 2-1 record in the event last season, downing FAU and Missouri State in Coral Gables, then losing to top-seeded Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
As a head coach, Larranaga has coached in six NITs, three of which were at George Mason (2009, 2004 and 2002) and a trio at Bowling Green (1997, 1991 and 1990).
Miami, who tied for fourth in the ACC, is now 19-12 overall, and played into the Quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, falling to eventual champion Florida State.
Valparaiso (22-11) lost to Detroit in the Horizon League Championship game, and earned an automatic bid into the NIT after winning the regular season championship.
Fans can purchase tickets for the Miami-Valparaiso NIT game by calling Ticketmaster or going online at Hurricanesports.com starting at 10 a.m. Monday. Ticket prices for the NIT game are $50, $25 and $10.
