SPRINGFIELD - CollegeInsider.com has announced Missouri State University has been selected as a host site for the opening round of the CIT men's basketball postseason tournament Wednesday, March 19.
The Bears (20-12) will host Murray State (18-11) at 7:05 p.m., in the first round of the 32-team event. Complete pairings for the CIT will be available after Sunday's NCAA and NIT selections are announced.
"This is a great opportunity for our team to play in the postseason and for our fans to support the Bears against a formidable team," Missouri State director of athletics Kyle Moats said. "The last time we were in the CIT, it really gave our program a shot in the arm headed into the next season, which culminated in our first-ever Valley title."
MSU won the CIT in 2010 with victories against Middle Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, Creighton and Pacific to complete a 24-12 season. With eight lettermen back the following season, the Bears finished with a 26-9 record and claimed the 2011 MVC regular-season title.
"We're very excited to be playing in the postseason and to be playing a quality program," MSU head coach Paul Lusk said. "Murray State has a great basketball tradition and will be a good opponent."
The CIT begins with first-round games on campus sites March 18-19 and continues with second-round games March 22-23. The quarterfinals (March 25-26), semifinals (March 28-29) and finals (April 1) are also played on campus sites. In an effort to minimize travel and missed class time, the CIT uses a format that determines pairings after each round is complete.