News had already been leaked that Virginia Tech would once again be playing in the NIT next year, although this time it would be the Preseason NIT.  We now know from more leaks in the VT Athletic Department (according to the Washington Post and other sources), that george mason will be one of the teams in the Blacksburg bracket and likely will be the Hokies’ first round opponent.  16 teams compete in the Preseason NIT, with four teams hosting a bracket (VT will be one of those hosts).  Each bracket winner then advances to New York and gets to play in the self-proclaimed Most Famous Arena in the World, Madison Square Garden.

It stands to reason that george mason will be Tech’s opponent in the first game of that bracket since sources are claiming the two schools will play.  Both teams are guaranteed at least two games — the winners of the first two games play the next day while the losers also do battle.  That’s why I believe mason and VT will be first round opponents since otherwise there would be no guarantee they’d play.