Taking requests: At long last, the projected NIT bracket

I can honestly say I didn't put a lot of time into my NIT projection.

Just enough to get 32 teams together into a field and pacify the folks who have badgered me for three days for one (you know who you are).

OK, let's get this done, and not speak of it again, OK? Those peering closely enough will figure out what my tentative NCAA field is at the moment, too.

Understand, this isn't a list of the 32 teams I think should be in the NIT. However, it'll be a while before I fully believe the NIT selection process doesn't at least offer a nod to the scrapple from the power conferences. Hence Texas Tech's inclusion in this field.

NORTH

(1) Illinois vs. (8) Quinnipiac*
(4) Connecticut vs. (5) Charlotte
(3) Memphis vs. (6) Saint Louis
(2) Cincinnati vs. (7) Illinois State

EAST

(1) Virginia Tech vs. (8) Coastal Carolina*
(4) Kent State* vs. (5) St. John's
(3) Rhode Island vs. (6) North Carolina
(2) Seton Hall vs. (7) Stony Brook*

SOUTH

(1) Mississippi vs. (8) Jackson State*
(4) UAB vs. (5) Texas Tech
(3) William and Mary vs. (6) N.C. State
(2) South Florida vs. (7) Jacksonville*

WEST

(1) Mississippi State vs. (8) Troy*
(4) Wichita State vs. (5) Virginia Commonwealth
(3) Dayton vs. (6) Northeastern
(2) Arizona State vs. (7) Weber State*