Playing in the Big Sky Conference, the University of Northern Colorado Bears mens basketball team knows before they start every season that if they want to get a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament, they pretty must much win their conference tournament at the end of each season. Unfortunately, the Bears didn't do that this year, but that doesn't mean their season is over. 

The Bears, who lost in the Big Sky Tournament to the eventual champions from Weber State, finished the 18-13. And although the Bears won't be under the national spotlight in the big dance or even the secondary tournament, the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), they will get at least one more game in this season.

UNC was informed on Sunday night that they get to play in the 32-team CollegeInsider.com Tournament. this particular tournament is designed for teams with winning records who weren’t selected for the NCAA Championship tournament or the NIT.

The Bears will host an opening round game in the tournament at 7 on Wednesday night at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Islanders are 17-15 and making their first appearance in the CIT. They last played in the 2007 NCAA Championship tournament after winning the Southland Conference.

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