The Lipscomb Bisons will play the University of Texas-El Paso Tuesday night in the opening round of the 2006 National Invitation Tournament in El Paso, Texas at the Don Haskins Center.
The Bisons, regular season co-champions in the Atlantic Sun Conference (21-10, 15-5), are seeded No. 10 in their first ever trip to national postseason play on the NCAA Division I level. The Bisons are 21-10 this season. Texas-El Paso from Conference USA, is 20-9, 11-3 in the conference, including a 14-2 home record. The Miners are the No. 9 seed.
Texas-El Paso has three players averaging in double figures _ senior forward Jason Williams, 6-foot-6, with 14.6 points, senior forward John Tofi, 6-8, with 13.9 and senior guard Miguel Ayala, 6-6, with 10.5.
"They are a physical, strong team," said Sanderson. "They are more of a half court team that tries to pound the ball inside offensively. They have always been a very good home team. It is always a very difficult place to play."
Sanderson is looking forward to his team playing on a national stage in the revamped 40-team tournament. Sixteen teams are playing opening round games.
