Top Teams: (22) Seton Hall, Virginia, Rhode Island, Vanderbilt

Best Potential Game: Virginia vs. (22) Seton Hall - Friday 7:30 ET, ESPNU

Runner-Up: Rhode Island vs. (22) Seton Hall - Thursday 6:30 ET, ESPNU

This year's NIT Season Tip-Off features a little bit of everything from their top teams. Virginia has been a mainstay in the Top 25 over the past several years, but after losing their leader London Perrantes to graduation and second-highest scorer from a year ago, Marial Shayok, to a transfer, the Cavaliers are out to prove they still belong in the upper crust of the ACC.

Seton Hall is looking to have their most successful season under Kevin Willard after making consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, and winning this early-season tournament would go a long way for the Pirates' confidence.

Rhode Island is one of the top mid-majors coming into this season after returning their top two leading scorers from a season that included a first-round NCAA tournament upset victory (and a narrow loss to a Final Four participant in the second round). The Rams are testing themselves in the non-conference portion of their schedule and any success against a power conference opponent will help their resume.