Wednesday, March 18th, 8:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Qwest Center Omaha (17,839) -- Omaha, Nebraska. Television: None. NIT Record: Bowling Green 6-13, Creighton 4-9. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: First-round action of the 2009 NIT pits the top-seeded Creighton Bluejays against the eighth-seeded Bowling Green Falcons tonight in Omaha. The winner of this game moves on to the second round to do battle with either fourth-seeded Kentucky or fifth-seeded UNLV. Bowling Green went 18-12 during the regular season and split a pair of games in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Falcons are guided by MAC Coach of the Year Louis Orr, as he led his troops to a share of the league's regular season title. Bowling Green is making its 14th NIT appearance and first since 2002, and the program hopes to improve its 6-13 record in this event. As for Creighton, it is participating in the postseason for a Missouri Valley Conference-record 12th straight year. Like the Falcons, the Bluejays won a share of their league's regular season title, going 14-4 versus MVC opposition. They are 26-7 overall and have won 11 of their last 12 games, an obvious reason for confidence as they enter this tournament. This game marks the first-ever meeting between Bowling Green and Creighton on the hardwood.

Senior forward Nate Miller was highly impressive for Bowling Green in the MAC Tournament, as he scored a total of 49 points in two games. Overall this season, Miller is averaging 13.5 ppg to go along with 7.4 rpg, and he has 59 steals to his credit. Brian Moten is the only other double-digit scorer on the roster, as he provides a modest 11.1 ppg despite 38.2 percent shooting from the field. The Falcons are not an explosive offensive team by any means, as they are only scoring 64.2 ppg. Fortunately, they have been able to limit opponents to 60.8 ppg on 39.1 percent field goal efficiency. Darryl Clements is netting 9.9 ppg this season for Bowling Green, but he shoots just 38.9 percent from the floor.

An interesting stat worth mentioning is that Creighton has won 30 consecutive home games on Wednesdays, and the club has also beaten 17 straight non- conference foes at home. The Bluejays need just two more victories to tie the school's all-time record for wins in a season. They are playing in their 10th NIT and are just 4-9 all-time in this tournament. Leading the way for Creighton is MVC Player of the Year Booker Woodfox, a sensational shooter who is averaging 15.9 ppg on the strength of his 48.9 percent efficiency from three-point range. Woodfox is a tremendous free throw shooter as well and often has the ball in his hands late in close games. P'Allen Stinnett provides 12.3 ppg as the only other double-digit scorer for the Bluejays, who are scoring 73.6 ppg while limiting opponents to 65.4 ppg.

Creighton is the smart pick in this game, as it is tremendously tough to beat at home. Expect another stellar effort by Woodfox, who is one of the nation's elite shooters.

Predicted Outcome

Creighton 75, Bowling Green 63