March 11, 2001

NIT Pairings

Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa men's basketball team will host the University of California at Irvine in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 14, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on the TU campus. Gametime is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CT).

Fans can stop by or call the TU athletic ticket office at 918-631-GoTU (4688) to purchase tickets beginning Monday, March 12. Ticket prices are $11, $15, $21 and $25. The ticket office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday-Tuesday, and again on Wednesday beginning at 8:30 a.m. through tip-off.

Season ticket holders who wish to purchase tickets will be guaranteed their season ticket location until close of business on Monday, March 12. All tickets not purchased by season ticket holders, will be released to the general public on a first come, first serve basis beginning Tuesday, March 13.

Tulsa enters the tournament with an overall 21-11 record, while UC-Irvine has a 25-4 overall mark. The Anteaters posted a 15-1 regular season record in the Big West, and captured the regular season title, but lost to Pacific in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The two teams have played once before, as Tulsa claimed an 84-66 victory at the Tulsa Convention Center on Dec. 4, 1986.

The winner of the Tulsa-UC Irvine contest will play the winner of the Minnesota-Villanova game.

The Hurricane will be making its third straight trip to a postseason tournament and its eighth appearance in the NIT. In the last 20 years, this is Tulsa's 16th trip to postseason action since winning the 1981 NIT Championship.

Tulsa has an overall 15-18 record in postseason tournament action, including a 5-6 mark in the NIT. Tulsa posted wins over Pan American, UTEP, South Alabama and West Virginia enroute to a championship game victory over Syracuse to win the NIT title in 1981.

NIT Ticket Information
The University of Tulsa will host Cal-Irvine on Wednesday, March 14 at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. Game time is 7:05 pm. Ticket prices are $11, $15, $21 and $25. Tickets are available to the general public beginning Monday, March 12.

Fans can stop by the TU athletic ticket office at the Reynolds Center or call 918-631-GoTU (4688) to purchase tickets. The TU athletic ticket office will be open from 8:30 am to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

Pre-Game Pep Rally
A pre-game pep rally will take place on Wednesday on the Chapman Plaza at the Reynolds Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. Hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken dinners will be available for $5.00 per person from 5:30-6:30 p.m.