After a four day layoff, the 2011 NIT Basketball Tournament gets back underway today for Cleveland State. The Vikings, winners over Vermont in their first round match-up on Tuesday night will host Charleston down at the Wolstein Center at 2:00PM. Colorado got the 2nd Round underway last night with a dominating 89-72 win over Cal. The Buffaloes are definitely playing with a chip on their shoulders after being left out of the NCAA Tournament.
Here's a look at today's action in the NIT:
2:00PM et: (6)Charleston Cougars(25-10) Vs. Cleveland St. Vikings(27-8) - ESPNU
Cleveland State hosts Charleston in one of two second round NIT games on Saturday. The Vikings escaped a tough battle with Vermont in the first round 63-60 while Charleston upset the Dayton Flyers 94-84. The Vikings are going to have to find some scoring if they want to advance. Charleston is 31st in the country in scoring, averaging 76 points per game. The Vikings, on the other hand, average 71.7 points per game. Cleveland State doesn't rebound the ball particularly well either so it will be paramount that they get easy looks.
The Cougars are led by guard Andrew Goudelock who averages 23.8 points per game. A four-tear starter for the Cougars, Goudelock does a little bit of everything. He shoots for a high average from the free throw line(81.7%) and can hit from deep as well(41.2%).
The Vikings need to get a big game from their superstar Norris Cole. Cole leads the Vikings in scoring(21.8 ppg), assists(5.3) and rebounds(5.9). If Norris is on, the Vikings are on. If not, it could be a long day.
Today's other NIT game will feature (4)Northwestern Wildcats(19-13) going up against (1)Boston College Eagles(21-12) at 11:00AM on ESPN.