UPDATE: A savvy reader points me to this youtube video illustrating the similarities between fight songs at UNC and URI.

Oh boy, this could get confusing.

So UNC and the University of Rhode Island are squaring off in the Final Four...of the NIT. 

A couple points of interest here. 

First, the mascots of both universities are rams. 

But wait, there's more.

The color scheme? The one Tar Heel fans love to claim for their own? All that "Sky is Carolina Blue..." stuff?

Well, Rhode Island has the same color.

Here's your evidence.

On the left, there's former Rhode Island star Lamar Odom - better known these days as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and Charles Barkley's sidekick in an absolutely awful new Taco Bell commercial.

On your right, a bunch of guys Roy Williams wishes he still had this season.

Similar, huh?

The game's next Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ESPN. Don't miss it.

UPDATE: Astute reader points out that this year's games at MSG
were in the 2K Sports Classic, not the Preseason NIT ...
changes are below.

North Carolina senior Deon Thompson, whose team will face Rhode Island on Tuesday in the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament, is no stranger to NIT games at Madison Square Garden.

He's played four contests there, including two in the pre-season form of the NIT as a freshman -- and hopes to have a better outcome this time around.

UNC sophomore Tyler Zeller, who suffered a minor concussion and a laceration above his left eye that required five stitches on Saturday, is 50-50 to play at UAB on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the NIT, coach Roy Williams said.

"I talked to the trainer last night, and they said it’s 50-50, it just depends on how he feels this afternoon, and what he feels like when he wakes up tomorrow: are you having headaches, have you been able to sleep? Those kinds of things,'' Williams said. "Last night, everybody started feeling better about it, but he’s not going to practice today either. He’s going to shoot some, but they have to give him the release and then go from there tomorrow."

The reserve seven-footer has scored 20 points in two NIT games.

UNC sophomore forward Tyler Zeller, who needed five stitches above his left eye after getting fouled by Mississippi State's Barry Stewart with 12:09 left in the Tar Heels' NIT win over the Bulldogs, "should play" Tuesday night against UAB, according to a statement released today by UNC.

At 2-10 in the ACC, N.C. State could have checked out for the season.
Instead, the Wolfpack has its first conference winning streak and
an overall record of 16-13 with two games left in the regular season.

Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe would like to see his team
rewarded with an NIT bid for their resilience.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Jack McClinton made seven 3-pointers and scored 25 points lead Miami to a 78-66 victory over Providence in the first round of the NIT Wednesday.

The NCAA selection committee snubbed Davidson despite its 26-7 record, and the Wildcats are headed to the NIT. N.C. State did not make the NIT field.

Nevermind the economy, wars or the icecaps, the world's most urgent problem has been solved — college basketball's postseason is expanding. Again.

Move over NCAA Tournament, NIT and CBI (you know, the College Basketball Invitational), here comes the ... well ... it doesn't have a name yet.

CollegeInsider.com will stage a legitimate postseason tournament, approved by the NCAA and the college coaches, according to CBS Sports, that gives another 16 teams a chance to dance in March.