The Big Preview: Virginia Hosts Miss State in NIT

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesFor the first time since 2014, the Virginia Cavaliers will not play in the NCAA Tournament. However, they still have a postseason opportunity with a first round NIT game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Although MSU is seeded and Virginia is not, the Hoos will host as Mississippi State is renovating their arena.

The Bulldogs finished the season 18-5 (8-10 SEC), and ranked 44th on KenPom. Virginia (19-13, 12-8 ACC) ranks 84th on KenPom. Mississippi State avoided some of the bad losses that Virginia had. Their only truly bad loss came on the road against Mississippi and that was a rivalry game. The Bulldogs lost to Louisville, but early on before the…