My 10* NIT SEMI-FINAL SLAM-DUNK is on North Texas at 7:00 EST. UNT enters at 27-8 and UC Irvine is 31-6. The Mean Green finished 13-4 in non-conference games this year. North Texas has played back-to-back tight games and come out on each, beating Arkansas State by a score fo 65-63 and Oklahoma State by a score of 61-59. Part of UNT's success comes from its offensive depth, with three players averaging double-figures in points, led by 14.9 PPG from Atin Wright. UC Irvine beat UAB 81-77 in OT to advance to its first-ever semifinal, and I believe fatigue could be a major issue here for the Anteaters. Overall UC Irvine holds a 5-8 record in the NIT Tournament. The Anteaters are the first Big West team to reach the semifinals since Fresno State did back in 1983. The Bulldogs went on to win the NIT title, but I believe UC Irvine's run comes to an end here at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Lay the short points, Mean Green roll!