National Invitation Tournament: Establishment And Significance
What Is NIT?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association hosts the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), a men’s college basketball competition (NCAA). It was started in 1938 and was initially the most prominent post-season showcase for college basketball. Nowadays, it is played at regional venues and customarily at Madison Square Garden (Final Four) in New York City each March and April.
It was eventually surpassed by the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, also known as “March Madness,” over time. Now, teams who are denied a spot in the NCAA tournament compete in the NIT.
San Diego State beats a solid Stanford team.
Lamont Butler finishes with 9pts, 6ast, and this hammer to seal it for the Aztecs.
— The College Basketball Guy (@NCAABBallGuy) November 16, 2022
Governing Body Of NIT
In 2005, as part of a settlement of an antitrust complaint, the NCAA acquired control of running the NIT. The NIT was created as a postseason consolation tournament for the teams that missed out on The Big Dance because the NCAA had already hosted the March Madness extravaganza.
But does that lessen its significance in any way? It might not make sense when viewed from the outside. But for basketball fans, teams, schools, and players, as well as their families, adding a few more games to the college season is crucial.
WEDNESDAY COLLEGE HOOPS — Here are my plays and analysis for today. Let's keep this hoops heater running — Have fun and enjoy games!! #NCAAB 🏀 pic.twitter.com/YA4oeFlPWr
— WinningAngle (@WinningAngle) November 16, 2022
Time Period When NIT Is Held
Typically, the National Invitation Tournament is held in late March. Tournaments that start later can wind up extending into the first part of April. For instance, the NIT tournament in 2022 took place from March 15 to March 31, but the NIT tournament in 2021 took place from March 17 to March 28.
The tournament’s first three rounds—Rounds of 32, 16, and 8—are played on college campuses. After the preliminary rounds, the semifinal (equal to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament) and the championship game are held at Madison Square Garden, the hoops mecca.
NCAAB 1U FREE PLAY:
BRADLEY -6 (-115) pic.twitter.com/rV1r2FGgFd— Lil Rays Plays (@LilRaysPlays) November 15, 2022
The NIT semifinal and championship games, however, will take place outside of New York in 2023 and 2024, according to an announcement made by the NCAA. Orleans Arena in Las Vegas will host these games in 2023, while it will be Indianapolis’ turn in 2024.
Selection Process
The National Invitation Tournament has three phases in its selection procedure. These include:
- The selection of 32 teams,
- The seeding of said teams, and
- The placing of the teams into a bracket.
Bellarmine @ Louisville thread.
"The team that doesn't dribble" with an upset win.
1. Pitch swing shuffle chin swing shuffle. Defense is confused, 8 passes for no dribble at all => open 3!#basketball #coach #NCAA #NCAABasketball #NCAAB #bellarmine #Video pic.twitter.com/BvcNdFLFkY— Kostas Kalogeropoulos (@KostasKal4) November 10, 2022
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