NIT-bound Bearcats Host Weber State

Though most UC fans hoped for a different tournament berth in 2010, the Cats of Cincinnati will be playing this week in the NIT.

Cincinnati hosts Weber State Wednesday evening at 7 PM at Fifth Third Arena. The game can be seen on ESPN2.

Weber State has only played one Big East in its history. Georgetown knocked of WSU in the 1995 NCAA Tournament, 53-51 courtesy of an Allen Iverson buzzer beater.

Not only did the two teams not share a common opponent, they competed on opposite halves of the nation. The furthest Weber State traveled east was Colorado.

Their best wins were over Montana, Morehead State, and Utah. The best opponents were BYU and UNLV, each substantial losses. Weber State began 1-4, but won the regular season outright, narrowly falling in the Big Sky Conference Championship 66-65 to Montana.

Like Cincinnati WSU has three double-figure scorers in Damian Lillard, Steve Panos, and Franklin Session.

Lillard is the star, a 6'2" combo guard out of Oakland averaging 19.7 ppg. Out of high school he had offers from Bradley, San Diego State, and Saint Mary's amongst others.

Earlier this month Lillard received the honor of being unanimously-named Big Sky Conference MVP by the conference coaches. Session was named the Newcomer of the Year.

According to GoBearcats.com tickets for the Bearcats first round game of the NIT vs. Weber State will go on sale on Monday, March 15 at 8:30 a.m. by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or going online at www.CATSTIX.com. Tickets are $25 for lower level, $20 for upper level chair, $10 for upper level bench, $4 for students with a valid ID, and $15 for youth age 12 and under.

Should the Bearcats defeat the Wildcats they will face the winner of Illinois State and Dayton.