The Cardinal is in jeopardy of not playing in a postseason tournament after winning the NIT title last season.

The Owls won the NIT in 1938 and 1969 and are making their 18th overall appearance at the event.

They went on to win the NIT in coach Jamie Dixon's first season at his alma mater and have carried that momentum into this season.

Monarchs coach Jeff Jones is the only person to win the NIT as a player (Virginia, 1980) and as a coach (Virginia, 1992).