The NIT Selection Committee has announced the 16-team field for the 2008 Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament. In addition, the committee announced a new pairings format that guarantees each team four games.

Following are the four-team regional pairings. First-round games are November 17, with the championship and consolation games on November 18.

• East Regional at Boston College

Cornell vs. St. John’s (New York)

Loyola (Maryland) vs. Boston College

• North Regional at Purdue

Georgia vs. Loyola (Chicago)

Eastern Michigan vs. Purdue

• South Regional at Oklahoma

James Madison vs. Davidson

Mississippi Valley State vs. Oklahoma

• West Regional at Arizona

Santa Clara vs. UAB

Florida Atlantic vs. Arizona

“Once again, the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament features an outstanding field and we look forward to another exciting start to college basketball,” said C.M. Newton, chair of the NIT Selection Committee.

The NIT Season Tip-Off, which began in 1985, has evolved to an enhanced format this year that guarantees every team four games. First- and second-round games will be played at the home campus sites of the four highest-seeded teams. The winners of those sites will move onto New York’s Madison Square Garden over the Thanksgiving holiday for the semifinal and final doubleheaders November 26 and 28.

The remaining 12 teams will play third- and fourth-round games on November 24 and 25. These games will be played on the home campus sites of the three highest remaining seeds. Participating teams will not play any team twice, and third and fourth rounds will be assigned to the most geographically compatible site possible.

ESPN will provide coverage throughout the event, televising games on ESPN2 and ESPNU, with select games also simulcast on ESPN360.com.