Santa Clara will face off against Washington State in the first round of the NIT men's basketball tournament on Tuesday for a tip off time of 11 PM Eastern. This game will be available on ESPNU. Santa Clara comes into this game with a record on the season of 21–11, and failed in their bid to win the WCC tournament championship losing to Saint Marys by the score of 75–72. Santa Clara has won three out of their last five games coming against Pepperdine, and twice against Portland State.
The Washington State Cougars come into this match up with a record on the season of 19–14, and had their bid cut short by UCLA in the Pac 12 tournament by the score of 75–65. The Cougars have won four out of their last five games coming against Oregon State twice, Oregon, and most recently against California by the score of 66–59.
Michael Flowers is the team leader for Washington state in points per game averaging 14 on the season with a field goal percentage of 40.2%, and a free-throw percentage of 85.4%. Michael Flowers is also the team leader in minutes per game on average with 32.5, and is also averaging 3.3 assists from the point guard position.
Santa Clara is led by Jalen Williams who is averaging 18 points per game on the season with a field goal percentage of 51.8%, and a free-throw percentage of 80.6%. Keyshawn Justice is the team leader for Santa Clara and rebounds per game averaging 6.8. Jalen Williams is the team leader in minutes per game averaging 34.7.
