Nov. 18, 2010

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist men's basketball team learned late Thursday morning that it will face Belmont and Wake Forest in its third- and fourth-round games of the 2010 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. The Red Foxes will face Belmont at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, and Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Both games will take place on Wake Forest's campus at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Belmont is located in Nashville, Tenn., and competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference. One of the country's top mid-major programs, Belmont has won at least 20 games and reached postseason play in five of the last seven seasons, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Bruins opened the NIT with an 85-76 loss at Tennessee before rebounding for a 93-60 triumph over Arkansas State.

Wake Forest, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, is 1-2 on the season. In their first two NIT contests, the Demon Deacons defeated Hampton 63-56 in the first round before falling to Virginia Commonwealth 90-69 in round two. Last year, Wake Forest went 20-11 and earned its 22nd NCAA Tournament bid in program history. Eight former Demon Deacons are currently playing in the NBA, headlined by Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.

Marist (0-2) will return to action on Friday, when the Red Foxes head back to the road to face Boston University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.