NIT Preview

The Keys to the Fordham Game:

1) Matchup at the PF spot. Both Bradshaw and Childress will have their hands tied trying to box out Fordham PF Michael Binns. Binns has averaged 12.5 rebounds per game in jsut 16.5 minutes per game in Fordham's exhibition and season opener. While not a threat to score, Binns has also averaged 5 offensive rebounds per game. Obviously, that will be a key to this game. Luckily, both Bradshaw and Childress are some of the better players at boxing out on the team.

2) Up tempo game. If Tennessee is able to push the ball and create a fast game, then the Vols should be able to prevail. Fordham is not necessarily very deep and only really played 8 guys last year. Fordham also turned the ball over 25 times in their season opener, so if the Vols are able to push the tempo, Tennessee could blow the game open with their depth.

3) Wayne Chism. Chism was limited to only 11 minutes in Friday's season opener against MTSU, but was very successful in those minutes. Chism was able to pull down 7 rebounds along with 10 points. If Chism can be pull off success like that tonight without getting into foul trouble against All Atlantic 10 star Bryant Dunston, then the Vols should succeed.

4) UNCW vs. Belmont. The 10:30 pm game is the other half of the bracket in Nashville. This will be UNCW's first game under new head coach Benny Moss. Moss will bring a uptempo game to the Seahawks while Belmont will rely on their senior trio of ex-UT player Boomer Herndon, Josh Goodwin, and Andrew Preston to lead them. This will be the opening game for both teams, so both teams might get off to a rough start. Belmont will try to use their height advantage, as they have 4 guys towering at 6'10" or more. UNCW will try to push the ball and use their new gun and gun offense. The key to this game might be if UNCW is able to adapt to their new offense sooner than later.