NIT Bracket 2015: Illinois the 3 seed, will face Alabama

The 2014-15 season didn't go according to plan for Illinois and the program is now headed to their second straight National Invitational Tournament (NIT). The Illini (19-13, 9-9) have been given a No. 3 seed during the Selection Show on ESPNU and will face No. 6 seed Alabama in the first round on Tuesday at 8:00pm CT on ESPN.

The winner of Illinois/Alabama will face the winner of No. 2 seed Miami (FL)/No. 7 seed NC Central in the second round of the tournament on Friday.

Illinois, unfortunately, won't be able to host games in Champaign during the first three rounds of the NIT. Like last year, the ongoing renovations at the State Farm Center are making the venue unusable until December.

Last year, the inexperienced Illini managed to compile an overall record of 19-14 and received a No. 2 seed in the NIT. Illinois defeated No. 7 seed Boston University before falling to No. 3 seed Clemson in the second round.

Here's what Illinois' quadrant looks like in its entirety:

*****

Follow The Champaign Room on Twitter at @Champaign_Room and Like us on Facebook. You can follow Jim Vainisi on Twitter at @JVainisi005.