Tuesday, March 18th, 9:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Donald L. Tucker Center (12,200) -- Tallahassee, Florida. Television: ESPN Classic. NIT Record: Akron 1-3, Florida State 10-6. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: For the third consecutive season the Florida State Seminoles will take part in the NIT, hosting the Akron Zips this evening in first round action at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The winner of this contest will move on to the next round to take on either Massachusetts or Stephen F. Austin. The last time Akron was on the court, the team was on the wrong end of a 74-55 score in the Mid-American Conference title game. It was the second consecutive year that Akron fell in its conference title game. The Zips last took part in the NIT in 2006, and opened the event with an 80-73 overtime win over Temple, but followed that victory with a 71-60 loss to Creighton. As for the Seminoles, they have much more experience in this tournament and are making their sixth appearance. Overall the Seminoles are 10-6 in the event and that includes last season's 2-1 mark. Last season Florida State grabbed wins over Toledo (77-61) and Michigan (87-66), but eventually fell in the quarterfinals to Mississippi State, 86-71. The Seminoles are currently 19-14 on the year, and are coming off an 82-70 setback to North Carolina in second round play of the ACC Tournament. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools on the hardwood.

The Zips have used their defensive prowess to take down their opponents, and for the majority of the season that approach has work well. Akron heads into this game limiting the opposition to just 63.8 ppg, but more importantly the team has collected 233 steals, while forcing teams into 16.1 tpg. At the other end of the floor the team has relied heavily on Jeremiah Wood, who has done a tremendous job in the paint. Wood is pacing Akron with 13.9 ppg, and is also pulling down a team-best 7.8 rpg. Nick Dials has been a sensational leader in the backcourt, and comes into this game with 11.9 ppg and a team-high 4.3 apg. Cedrick Middleton has also done a strong job playing next to Dials, posting 9.7 ppg. As a whole, the Zips are producing a mediocre 71.2 ppg on the year, and that is behind a 44.4 percent shooting effort from the floor.

The Seminoles have not been overwhelming offensively, but the team has done enough at that end of the floor to collect 19 wins on the season. Toney Douglas has been an outstanding guard throughout the year and is pacing the team with 15.6 ppg, 97 assists and 90 steals. Jason Rich and Ralph Mims have also made solid contributions, contributing 14.7 and 11.7 ppg, respectively. Uche Echefu has been the main source of production in the paint, as the big man is netting 9.7 ppg to go along with team-highs in rebounds (7.2 rpg) and blocks (31). As a whole, Florida State comes into this tournament averaging 72.5 ppg, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Defensively, the team has been mediocre at best, surrendering just 69.1 ppg, while forcing 15.9 tpg.

Akron has done a solid job defensively, but the team should have trouble against the tough backcourt of FSU. Expect the Seminoles to give the crowd at the Tucker Center at least one more reason to cheer this year.

Predicted Outcome

Florida State 71, Akron 63