It has only three letters, but the Air Force Academy basketball team doesn't really mind.

It's the NIT, not the NCAA. But that's OK with the Falcons because they've made a Final Four nonetheless.

The Falcons (26-8) will play Clemson (24-10) in tonight's second National Invitation Tournament semifinal at Madison Square Garden (7 MDT,

ESPN2).

The winner will advance to Thursday's championship game against the winner of tonight's first semifinal between West Virginia and Mississippi State.

A late-season slump in which the Falcons lost four in a row, including a first-round setback in the Mountain West Conference tournament, cost them a chance to make the NCAA field.

But the Falcons ended a 17-game postseason losing streak with NIT victories over Austin Peay, Georgia and De- Paul at Clune Arena to advance to tonight's game.

"We are very excited about the opportunity and challenge to play Clemson . . . a great basketball team with great athletes who can really protect the rim," Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "It's going to be a great challenge for us."

It's not the Big Dance, but Bzdelik said his players have benefited from their trip to the Big Apple.

"This has been a wonderful experience regardless of what happens," he said. "I have seniors on the team, and for them to culminate their great four-year career at the Air Force Academy by playing in New York City at Madison Square Garden is just a wonderful experience for them. I am so happy for them."

He'll be happier if the Falcons can make some three-pointers against the Tigers. Air Force has made 34.4 percent of its three-pointers (21-of-61), but Clemson has limited its opponents to 20.8 three-point shooting (10-of-48).

Clemson has shot 36.7 percent (22-of-60) on three-pointers.

K.C. Rivers has been the top gun for the Tigers with a 19.3 average in three NIT games.

He scored a career-high 29 points in the quarterfinal win against Syracuse. Five Tigers players are averaging in double figures for the season.

The Falcons are led by Jacob Burtschi, a 6-foot-6 senior who is averaging 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, both team-high figures. Senior Dan Nwaelele, who led Air Force in scoring this season with a 14.3 average, is averaging 14 in the NIT.

Though Clemson coach Oliver Purnell is excited about "playing in Madison Square Garden, the mecca of college basketball," he doesn't feel that way about facing the Falcons.

"Air Force is better because they are running the Princeton offense with better players," Purnell said. "It will be an honor for us to go against Air Force and everything they represent. If we are going to move on, we are going to have to play one of our best games of the year."

If that happens, Bzdelik also could be moving on.

He remains the top candidate for the University of Colorado men's coaching vacancy.

If the Falcons lose tonight, Bzdelik could meet with CU athletic director Mike Bohn within 48 hours and be offered the Buffaloes job.

Bohn has said no offers have been made thus far in what is now a six-month search to replace Ricardo Patton.

bentonj@RockyMountainNews.com. Staff writer B.G. Brooks contributed to this report.