Tuesday, March 18th, 7:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Ted Constant Convocation Center (10,239) -- Norfolk, Virginia. Television: None. CBI Record: Rider 0-0, Old Dominion 0-0. Series Record: Old Dominion leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: The Rider Broncs will battle the Old Dominion Monarchs this evening, as the inaugural College Basketball Invitational is underway. This tournament, which takes place exclusively at campus sites, will be a single- elimination event. However, the championship series will be a best-of-three format in which the higher seed will receive the first and last (if necessary) home game. Prior to the semifinals, the four remaining teams will be re- seeded. Rider is set to appear in a postseason tournament for the first time since the 1998 NIT, and the team is coming off a loss to Siena in the MAAC Tournament title game. The Broncs tied for first place in the league during the regular season and carry a 23-10 overall record into this event. As for Old Dominion, it owns a less impressive 17-15 overall mark but has the advantage of hosting this game. The Monarchs went 11-7 against Colonial Athletic Association teams during the regular season and lost in the quarterfinal round of the league tournament to William & Mary. They do own a 12-4 home record, however, so expect a confident group this evening. ODU has won both previous meetings with Rider, but it has been over two decades since the programs last squared off. The winner of tonight's game will take on the winner of the Richmond/Virginia matchup in the next round.

Rider is led by MAAC Player of the Year Jason Thompson, who excels at both ends of the floor. Thompson is a 6-11, 250-pound force who is averaging 20.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, the latter of which ranks him second in the nation. He is also blocking 2.7 shots per tilt and is the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year as well. His younger brother, Ryan, is another versatile performer. He checks in with 14.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 107 assists and 50 steals, and Ryan earned Second Team All-MAAC honors for his efforts. Harris Mansell rounds out a tremendous trio with 13.7 ppg. Mansell is shooting 44.2 percent from three-point range and must be accounted for at all times. Rider ranks eighth nationally in field goal percentage (.488) and 18th in three-point shooting (.396) while generating 77.1 ppg.

There is only one double-digit scorer on the Old Dominion roster, as Gerald Lee is posting 13.1 ppg to go with 5.9 rpg. His supporting cast has been lackluster at best for much of the season, as the Monarchs are only generating 66.2 ppg. Brian Henderson checks in with 9.1 ppg, but his 39.8 percent shooting from the field leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, ODU has excelled at the defensive end, limiting opponents to 63.9 ppg on 41.4 percent shooting from the floor. Lee played well in the quarterfinal loss to William & Mary, as he netted 20 points. Henderson posted 15 points, but the rest of the club combined to shoot just 9-of-32 from the field.

Rider is the pick here, as Jason Thompson is far better than any player on the ODU roster. Expect the Broncs to win a close one on the road and advance.

Predicted Outcome

Rider 70, Old Dominion 67