JACKSONVILLE -- The North Florida Men's Basketball team is making history again in 2016 as the Ospreys will host in-state foe the Florida Gators in opening round action of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at 9 p.m. Tuesday in UNF Arena.
UNF secured a spot in the prestigious NIT by virtue of winning the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title after going 10-4 in league play and posting a 22-11 overall mark. The Ospreys were tabbed the No. 7 seed in one of the tournament's four regionals while the Gators (19-14, 9-9 SEC) were seeded No. 2, but were unable to host the game due to renovations at UF's O'Connell Center.
The two programs have met four times before with all the previous games played in Gainesville. UF has won all four of the meetings including a 77-69 decision in the 2013-14 season opener.
"It's a tremendous honor to play in the postseason," said seventh-year head coach Matthew Driscoll, who has led the Ospreys to back-to-back national postseason tournament appearances. "It's very exciting to have the opportunity to play in the nation's oldest postseason tournament event. Having the chance to play at home, no matter what the circumstances, is definitely a plus for us. We are looking forward to having a great atmosphere and the comfortability of being at home gives to our guys. Its unique in a sense that we are able to play a Power 5 team at home, because in the seven years since our staff arrived, we have faced many high level opponents but always on the road. It's a challenge our guys eagerly anticipate."