Wednesday, March 19th, 8:00 (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Donald W. Reynolds Center (8,355) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: None. CBI Record: Miami-Ohio 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Series Record: First- ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Miami-Ohio RedHawks travel to Tulsa to take on the Golden Hurricane in a first-round matchup of the South Bracket of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational. The winner squares off with the winner of the UTEP/Utah matchup in the quarterfinals on Monday night. Miami carried a three- game win streak into the semifinal round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. But in the semis, the RedHawks were edged out by top-seeded Kent State, 49-47. Miami has struggled on the road throughout the season, posting a 4-10 record. Meanwhile, the Golden Hurricane have compiled a 13-2 home mark. They fared well in the Conference USA Tournament, carrying a four-game win streak all the way to the finals. But in that matchup, Tulsa was squashed by second-ranked Memphis, 77-51. This bout marks the first-ever meeting between Miami-Ohio and Tulsa on the hardwood.

The RedHawks found themselves entrenched in a defensive battle on Friday night against Kent State, as they were able to hold the Golden Flashes to 36 percent shooting from the floor. But Miami could not cash in on several opportunities to take control in the second half of a tight game, as the RedHawks made just eight field goals in the frame, and went 8-of-14 from the foul line. Tim Pollitz led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds, while frontcourt mate Tyler Dierkers posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards. Michael Bramos, the team's leading scorer at 16.3 ppg, shot just 1-of-10 from the floor and finished with four points. Pollitz averages 15.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Tulsa is paced by Ben Uzoh, a solid shooter who is tallying 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. But the biggest difference-maker of late has been fellow big man Jerome Jordan, who is averaging 17.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.3 blocks over the last four games. On the season, he is putting up 10 points and 7.2 boards per game, with a whopping 117 blocked shots. Memphis put the game away fairly early on Saturday, as the Tigers jumped out to a commanding, 42-13 halftime lead after holding Tulsa to 6-of-27 shooting in the first half. The Tigers put the game away by burying 7-of-13 three-pointers in the second half. Jordan was at it again for the Golden Hurricane, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Uzoh chipped in with 13 points.

Tulsa, despite coming off that lopsided loss to Memphis, should be able to handle the RedHawks in this matchup. The Golden Hurricane have the size advantage, and the homecourt on their size.

Predicted Outcome

Tulsa 68, Miami-Ohio 62