The NIT got under way last night for many teams. Ole Miss and Illinois State tip toinght at 8:30 at Tad Smith.

Illinois State's Jackie Carmichael discusses the Redbirds' Missouri Valley Conference tournament run with the Chicago Tribune and tells the newspaper, "We're hungry, and we want more."

If Carmichael gets his wish, the Redbirds would travel to face Stanford in the second round, though NIT officials may want to rethink that. The Cardinal attracted a meager crowd of 1,339 to watch its 76-65 win over Cleveland State last night.

Ole Miss, a 2 seed, will host Stanford, a 3 seed, if it defeats Illinois State.

Arizona, meanwhile, also begins NIT play tonight. The school's student newspaper says the Wildcats have struggled with opposing frontcourts and that Bucknell has a big man that could give Arizona trouble.

Elsewhere in the NIT, a possible semifinal matchup between MSU and Ole Miss in New York will not be possible as MSU lost in double overtime to UMass in the first round. Check out Brad Locke's update here.