NIT Rutgers, Michigan in final

Rutgers' freshman guard out-dueled his counterpart from Iowa State.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Michigan and Rutgers hope to carry their success in the National Invitation Tournament into next season.
"For our ball club and Rutgers, it is a huge building block," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said. "We are excited about a chance to win a championship. It is special for any team to capture a championship in one of the two major postseason tournaments."
The Wolverines (22-11) and Scarlet Knights (20-12) advanced to the championship game with victories in the NIT on Tuesday night. Michigan routed Oregon 78-53 after Rutgers edged Iowa State 84-81 in overtime at Madison Square Garden.
Lineup stars
Michigan starts two freshmen and two sophomores alongside senior Bernard Robinson Jr. Meanwhile, Rutgers starts two seniors but its most important players are freshman Quincy Douby and junior Ricky Shields.
Coach Gary Waters was just as positive as Amaker about the experience for Rutgers, especially at the Garden, where the Scarlet Knights have often struggled in the Big East tournament.
"It was amazing, when you play in a game like that where every possession means something," Waters said. "This is the best facility to play in America. Everyone wants to be here and it has the best fans."
Rutgers and Iowa State (20-13) put on a show that featured a shootout between Douby, who scored 35 points including six 3-pointers, and Cyclones freshman guard Curtis Stinson, who had 32 before fouling out in overtime.
It was old-fashioned, playground basketball between the youngsters, who both grew up in New York City and both had career highs. The two matched shots and baskets until Stinson committed his fifth personal foul in the OT, and Waters wasn't exactly sorry to see him go.
"One of the keys to the game was when Stinson fouled out," the Rutgers coach said. "I don't know what would have happened if he didn't foul out. He played a tremendous game."
When he left, the Big 12's freshman of the year took Iowa State's best scoring option with him -- and coach Wayne Morgan knew it.
"Anytime Curtis is not on the court, we're not at full strength," Morgan said.