FACTS & STATS: Madison Square Garden (19,876) -- New York, New York. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Oklahoma 4-0, Purdue 4-0. Away Record: Oklahoma 0-0, Purdue 0-0. Neutral Record: Oklahoma 1-0, Purdue 1-0. Conference Record: Oklahoma 0-0, Purdue 0-0. Series Record: Oklahoma leads, 5-4.

GAME NOTES: The NIT Season Tip-Off title is on the line at Madison Square Garden today, as the 11th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners tangle with the 10th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers in one of the premier matchups of the young season.

The Sooners were one of four programs to host a regional in this tournament and as expected they emerged from the South bracket with wins over Mississippi Valley State (94-53) and 24th-ranked Davidson (82-78). Oklahoma kept its winning ways going when the tournament picked back up on Wednesday, notching a 77-67 win over UAB in the semifinal round at MSG. It marked the fourth double- figure win of the year for the Sooners, who now stand at a perfect 5-0.

As for Purdue, it also 5-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. Much like Oklahoma, the Boilermakers advanced to MSG by winning the North Regional, which they hosted, with triumphs of Eastern Michigan (87-58) and Loyola- Chicago (78-46). On Wednesday, Purdue faced its stiffest test of the season and captured a 71-64 victory over Boston College in the semifinal round of this tournament. It was the first game decided by less than 20 points for the Boilermakers this season.

Oklahoma holds a narrow 5-4 edge in the all-time series with Purdue.

Oklahoma shot an efficient 55.1 percent from the field, including an 8-of-23 effort from long range, as it got past UAB in the semifinals. The Sooners held a 15-7 advantage in free-throw points and also won the battle on the boards, 36-28. Blake Griffin, once again, led the charge with another big time performance of 32 points and 14 rebounds. It was the fifth straight double- double by Blake Griffin, who is averaging 27.2 ppg and an equally as impressive 18.6 rpg on the season. Willie Warren and Taylor Griffin combined for 14 points on Wednesday and on the year they are turning in 13.4 and 10.0 ppg, respectively. As a team, the Sooners are averaging a hardy 83.2 ppg and thanks to Blake's efforts, they are also outrebounding their foes by 8.4 rpg.

Purdue forced 16 turnovers and held Boston College to a sub par 38.6 percent shooting performance from the floor, as it posted a seven-point win in the semifinals. The Boilermakers themselves, turned the ball over just nine times while making good on 42.9 percent of their total shots. E'Twaun Moore led the way with 19 points and he also dolled out six helpers. JaJuan Johnson added 12 points and six rebounds, while Keaton Grant and Robbie Hummel had 11 and 10 points, respectively. On the season, Moore paces the club with 15.6 ppg and he is also grabbing 5.8 rpg and dishing out 3.8 apg. Hummel checks in with 15.8 ppg and 6.0 rpg and Johnson rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.8 ppg. Overall, Purdue is putting for 76.8 ppg behind 44.4 percent shooting from the field this season.

Both teams are off to a terrific start, but with Blake Griffin on their side, the Sooners should have enough to claim the victory and the tournament championship today.

Predicted Outcome

Oklahoma 69, Purdue 66