NEW YORK – The Columbia University men's basketball program has accepted a bid to play in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Lions will host Norfolk State in the first round in Levien Gymnasium on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m.
“Norfolk State is a tough, well-coached team and is playing some of its best basketball of the season right now,” Columbia head coach Kyle Smith said. “It will be a great matchup and a good test for us to open the CIT.”
Columbia is heading to the CIT for the second time in three years after earning a trip to the quarterfinals of the tournament in 2014.
The Lions enter the CIT with an overall record of 21-10, the most regular season victories for the program since 1950-51. The Lions went 10-4 in Ivy League play, the winningest conference season for the team since 1993.
“Our team is excited to be going back to the postseason,” Smith said. “We had a great experience in the CIT two years ago and are thrilled for the chance to compete against some of the best mid-majors in the country.”
Norfolk State went 12-4 in league play to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season standings and hold a 17-16 overall record. Wednesday night will be the first meeting between the Lions and Spartans.
“We are very proud of everything our men's basketball program has accomplished this year,” said Columbia's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education, Peter Pilling. “Our student-athletes and coaches are well deserving of extending their season, and we are excited that our alumni and fans will have another opportunity to see them play.”
"We are thrilled to have Columbia back in the CIT again,” said Angela Lento, co-founder of CollegeInsider.com. “Seniors Alex Rosenberg, Maodo Lo and Grant Mullins have been such an important part of the revival of Columbia basketball so it's great to see them end their careers in the postseason.”
The complete 2016 CIT field of 32 teams will be announced by CollegeInsider.com on the evening of March 13, "Selection Sunday."
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Get pumped up with fellow Lions fans prior to the big game!
Columbia Athletics and the Columbia Alumni Association will host a pre-game event for all Lions fans at Bernheim and Schwartz to include delicious food, a private scouting report by the Lions coaching staff, giveaways, and more!
Tickets are only $20 and include access to the pre-game event and your game ticket! Space is limited. Purchase your tickets today by clicking here!
For questions, contact Cathleen Clark at cc3470@columbia.edu.
