PEORIA, Ill. -- Just hours after learning it would not play in the NCAA Tournament, Bradley (21-12) was rewarded with a first-round home game in the 2007 MasterCard National Invitation Tournament and the fourth-seeded Braves will host Big East member Providence (18-12) Wednesday night at Carver Arena. Wednesday's game was not picked for broadcast on the ESPN family of networks and will tip at 7:05 p.m. (CDT).
Bradley is making its 21st appearance in the NIT, second-most in tournament history to the 27 appearances by St. John's. Bradley also is second all-time with four NIT championships (1957, 1960, 1964 and 1982) and fourth with 25 NIT victories. Providence also owns a proud NIT history. The Friars are making their 17th NIT appearance, boasting two titles (1961 and 1963) and ranking third all-time with 30 NIT victories. The Braves are 3-0 all-time against Providence, including an 88-72 win in the championship game of the 1960 NIT at Madison Square Garden.
Including a 3-0 record against Providence, Bradley owns an 85-97 all-time record against the current Big East Conference 16-team membership. The Braves have won five straight against the current Big East membership, including a 78-58 season-opening win against DePaul at Carver Arena and a 101-72 neutral-site win against Rutgers Nov. 24 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. In addition to three straight wins against DePaul, Bradley's fifth win in the current Big East streak was the 72-66 triumph against Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
In the three-game series against Providence began with a 57-55 win Dec. 14, 1959 at Robertson Fieldhouse and most recenlty included an 84-52 win Dec. 29, 1978 in New Orleans.
The following plan has been devised for NIT ticket sales:
1) Ticket prices will begin at $1 for Bradley University students with valid ID and would increase to $9-12-18-25-30, based on location.
2) Bradley's 2006-07 season-ticket holders will be allowed to claim their seats at the Robertson Fieldhouse Box Office Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Season tickets that are not purchased by closing time Tuesday night will become available to the general public Wednesday morning.
3) The general public will be allowed to purchase available seats throughout the arena at the Carver Arena Box Office or through TicketMaster beginning Monday morning. The Carver Arena Box Office opens daily at 10 a.m.
4) Bradley students will need to purchase their tickets at Robertson Fieldhouse.
