Oregon to Host Colorado Wednesday in NIT
WHAT’S ON TAP . . . Oregon hosts Colorado in a National Invitation Tournament first round game Wednesday, March 17 at 9 p.m. ESPN2 will televise the game live nationally. The winner will play one of four teams -- Tennessee, George Mason, Belmont or Austin Peay -- in round two.
OREGON IN THE NIT . . . 2004 will mark Oregon’s ninth all-time appearance in the National Invitation Tournament. Oregon is 8-9 in 17 previous NIT games. The Ducks last appeared in the NIT in 1999, when they defeated Georgia Tech (67-64), Wyoming (93-72) and Texas Christian (77-68) to advance to the Final Four in New York. Oregon’s best NIT was its first in 1975 when the Ducks advanced to New York. That team, led by Ron Lee, Greg Ballard and current UO head coach Ernie Kent, finished third.
POSTSEASON SIGNIFICANCE . . . The 2004 NIT also marks Oregon’s third straight postseason appearance, following the 2002 and 2003 NCAA tournaments. It’s just the second time that UO has played in three straight postseason tournaments; the other occasion was 1975-77 when Oregon participated in three straight NITs.
