UNLV (16-12) at Nebraska (19-12)                     8:05 pm EST
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LINCOLN, Nebraska (Ticker) -- The 1996 National Invitation
Tournament champion, Nebraska, opens this season's event by
welcoming Nevada Las-Vegas to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for
a first-round game. 

Nebraska (19-12) had entertained hopes of a second consecutive
NCAA Tournament appearance, but a 77-53 loss to Kansas in the
quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament ended the
Cornhuskers' hopes. 

It is the 12th trip to the NIT for Nebraska, which defeated St.
Joseph's, 60-56, for the 1996 title.  When the Huskers went back
to the tournament the next season to defend their title, they
were beaten by Connecticut in the quarterfinals. 

The Cornhuskers must be considered one of the favorites to win
this tournament for two reasons.  First, several of the players
have a load of postseason experience.  Second, center Venson
Hamilton is one of the best big men in the country. 

Hamilton won the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year by
averaging 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds.  In conference games,
he ranked first in scoring, second in rebounding and eighth in
steals (1.8 spg).

Rebels' junior Issiah Epps will be asked to deal with Hamilton.
The 6-10 Epps played less than 10 minutes per game and averaged
2.0 points and 2.1 rebounds. 

If Hamilton gets his points, which is very likely, UNLV (16-12)
will try to outscore the Cornhuskers with an offense that
averages of 75 points per game and is led by the WAC's
sixth-highest scorer, forward Shawn Marion.  Marion averged 18.8
points per game and tied for third in the WAC with 9.3 rebounds
per contest. 

UNLV is making its fifth NIT apperance and its first since
falling to Arkansas in the second round in 1997.  The Rebels
were beaten by Virginia in the 1980 semifinals. 

The winner of this game will meet either Texas Christian or
Kansas State in the second round.