For the past 74 years, we knew it as the NIT Preseason Tip-Off. This year came a small change of name.
When the field of four contending teams–Michigan, Delaware, Kansas State and Pittsburgh–came to Madison Square Garden this past week, they learned they would be competing under the banner of the “2012 NIT Season Tip-Off.” So under this name change, Michigan became the first-ever champ, beating up Kansas State 71-57 in the championship game. Michigan was led by a Tim Hardaway Jr., whose dad, Tim, was a primetime performer in the NBA before calling it quits.
Young Tim has it all going on and is on the NBA track that more and more of these young phenoms are hopping aboard, skipping college and fast-breaking to the NBA. And to be honest, more and more of these young men are talented enough and mentally ready as the game continues to change, especially on the NBA level.
Michigan has the youthful look of a team that will go deep into the NCAA playoffs come March. Pittsburgh dusted Delaware 85-59 in the consolation game.