2007 NIT Season Tip-Off Bracket

Aug. 2, 2007

NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology will step into big-time men's college basketball in a big way this season as one of 16 teams picked for the 2007 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament, the NIT announced today.

The Highlanders, who are headed for their second season of NCAA Division I competition, will venture to Seattle for the four-team West Regional.

NJIT will take on the host Washington Huskies in the Bank of America Arena on November 13 in an 11 pm (ET) start, CM Newton, chair of the NIT Committee announced.

The other two teams in this year's Western Regional are Utah and High Point (NC), who will play in Seattle on November 13 at 8 pm (ET). The regional championship and consolation games will take place in the Bank of America Arena on November 14 (times to be announced).

"This is a tremendous honor for us as such a young program to be involved with an event with this level of competition and prestige," said coach Jim Casciano, who enters his seventh season at the NJIT helm. "It's a great chance for us to learn, grow and get exposure for our University. It's something we're going to cherish."

Other regional round hosts are: Syracuse (East); Ohio State (Midwest); and, Texas A&M (South).

Founded in 1985 as the Preseason NIT, the 2007 tournament will bring the four regional champions to Madison Square Garden for semifinals (Nov. 21) and championship and consolation (Nov. 23).

ESPN will provide coverage of the event, televising games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Three Madison Square Garden games will be on ESPN2 and the fourth will be on ESPN.

The Highlanders, who made a splash last November when they opened their Division I era by beating Manhattan and Rider to begin the season, are slated to open the 2007-08 season at home on November 10 against Manhattan before heading to Seattle.

The University of Washington, 19-13 overall a year ago, including 17-2 at home, returns four starters from last year's Pacific 10 Conference contender.