Southern Methodist looks to punch its ticket to the NIT final when it meets Clemson on Tuesday in New York. The Mustangs were controversially left out of the NCAA tournament, but have gone about their business efficiently and effectively, winning three straight at home, including a 67-65 victory over California to advance to the semifinals. "Hopefully someday we won't have to worry about Selection Sunday," coach Larry Brown told reporters.

Minnesota looks to advance to the NIT final for the second time in three years when it faces Florida State on Tuesday in New York. The top-seeded Golden Gophers fell to Stanford in the 2012 championship game and hope to get another crack at the title after downing Southern Mississippi 81-73 to reach the semifinals. "We went that far and lost in the championship game, we don't want to do that again," senior guard Austin Hollins told reporters.