The National Invitational Tournament concludes this evening with a championship battle between the Wichita State Shockers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Tonight's game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00pm ET at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York; it will be broadcast live on ESPN2. NCAA Point Spreads have the Shockers listed as a -2 against the spread favorite and the Over/Under set at 128.5.
Wichita State missed out on a possible NCAA Tournament by seven points as it lost to Indiana State in the 54-61 in the 
semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Shockers may be pleased with that development, though, given their run to the NIT's Championship Game.
Wichita State, which lost to Final Four squad VCU 67-68 on February 18th, disposed of Nebraska, Virginia Tech, College of Charleston, and Washington State to earn its spot in this evening's final. The Shockers last win, a 75-44 thrashing of the Cougars on Tuesday night, may have been their most impressive of the tournament.
Wichita State held Washington State to 29.4 percent field goal shooting (15-of-51), including 0-for-10 from beyond the arc, in the double digit win. The Shockers, which have just one player that averages double figures in scoring (J.T. Durley), also dominated the glass, producing a 46 to 21 rebound advantage. Reserve center Garrett Stutz led the team in both scoring and rebounding, concluding the night with 24 points and 11 boards.
Alabama's road to tonight's championship showdown included wins over Coastal Carolina, New Mexico, Miami, and Colorado. The Crimson Tide had little trouble with their first three NIT opponents, but they barely escaped disaster in a semifinals meeting with the Buffloes, edging Alex Burks and company 61-62.
JaMychal Green, the Tide's leading scorer, dropped in a game high 22 points against CU, but freshman guard Trevor Releford preserved Alabama's season with a driving, go-ahead layup in the game's final seconds. Releford finished the night with 13 points, three rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
Given the defensive nature of both these squads, this evening's game has all the makings of a low scoring slugfest. Wichita State, with its deep bench, will outlast the Tide, though, and capture its first ever NIT crown.
Wichita State vs Alabama Spreads 2011 NIT Final:
Wichita State Shockers -2 (-110), Over 128.5 (-110), -130 (Moneyline)
Alabama Crimson Tide +2 (-110), Under 128.5 (-110), +110 (Moneyline)
