Arizona State hosts two-time defending champion Florida in third round action in the NIT on Tuesday. The Sun Devils have posted a 20-win season for just the fourth time in 27 years. Freshmen James Harden led ASU’s first round win over Alabama State as he poured in 25 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the 64-53 win. He had 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks in the Sun Devils 65-51 win over Southern Illinois in the second round. ASU is making its tenth appearance in the postseason NIT and has a 5-9 record overall. ASU is 15-4 at home this year. SBG Global reports that early NCAA Basketball betting has the public taking Arizona State at Home.

The University of Florida is making its eighth appearance in the NIT, and their first since 1998. The Gators have an 8-9 overall record in NIT play and reached the semifinals in both 1986 and 1992. The Gators and Sun Devils have only played once previously and that was in 1984 as Florida won 87-73. Florida is 6-8 all-time against the Pac-10. Florida has out-scored its two NIT opponents by a margin of 26 points per game. The Gators have forced 17.5 turnovers per game and have out-rebounded their opponents by nine per game. The Gators are led by SEC Freshman of the Year Nick Calathes. He leads them in scoring at 15.6 points per game.