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Basketball is a popular sport with many tournaments played across the world. The NBA is one of the most influential basketball tournaments, with 30 teams participating across North America. The sport was first included in the Olympic Games in 1936 for men and in 1976 for women. The World Basketball Championship, the Stankovic Intercontinental Basketball Champions Cup, and the Euroleague Basketball (EL) are some other well-known international basketball tournaments. The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, also known as March Madness, is another popular tournament in the United States, with 68 teams participating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of basketball tournaments | At least 6 |
| Examples of basketball tournaments | National Invitation Tournament (NIT), NAIA Tournament, NCAA Tournament, College Basketball Invitational, CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, The Basketball Classic, Vegas 16, March Madness |
| Number of teams in the NCAA Tournament | 65 |
| Number of teams in the NIT | 32 |
| Number of teams in the CBI | 16 |
| Number of teams in the CIT | 16 |
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What You'll Learn
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournaments
There are a variety of basketball tournaments across the globe. One of the most prominent basketball tournaments is organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA has been organizing basketball tournaments for college students since 1939. The annual tournament is held in March and is popularly known as March Madness. The tournament features a bracket format with 64 teams playing in a single-elimination style across four rounds until a champion is crowned. The "First Four" games officially start the tournament, creating the field of 64 teams.
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is another annual tournament operated by the NCAA. Founded in 1938, one year before the NCAA tournament and one year after the NAIA tournament, the NIT was initially considered the most prestigious post-season tournament for college basketball. The tournament is open to 32 teams, and until 2022, the semifinals and finals were played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The NIT Season Tip-Off, formerly known as the Preseason NIT, is a second, more recent NIT tournament held in November.
The NCAA's Division I Men's Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with fans eagerly filling out brackets to predict the championship winner. The tournament showcases the talents of college basketball players, with some going on to successful professional careers in the NBA or other leagues. The NCAA has a rich history of producing talented basketball players and providing a platform for young athletes to display their skills on a national stage.
The NCAA has also introduced a play-in game for teams that barely miss the cut for the main tournament, providing an opportunity for more teams to compete and showcase their abilities. This expansion of the tournament field has added excitement and given more colleges a chance to participate in the prestigious event.
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National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NIT predates the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament by one year, having been founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association. From its founding until 2022, the semifinals and finals were always played at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City. The NIT was considered the most prestigious post-season showcase for college basketball before its status was superseded in the mid-1950s by the NCAA tournament.
In its early years, the NIT offered some advantages over the NCAA tournament. Playing all of its games in New York City provided teams with greater media exposure, both with the general public and among high school prospects in the area. The NCAA tournament selection committee also only invited one team from each of eight national regions, potentially leaving better-quality teams out of its field, which would opt for the NIT.
Several teams played in both the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year, with some even winning both. Between 1939 and 1970, when teams could compete in either tournament, only a few schools claim or celebrate national championships based solely on an NIT championship. From 2007 to 2019, the tournament featured a 32-team field, eliminating the eight-game "play-in" opening round used from 2002 to 2006. In 2021, 16 teams competed in the NIT. Since 2023, all rounds of the tournament have been played at various sites across the country, which are selected annually.
A second, much more recent "NIT" tournament is played in November and is known as the NIT Season Tip-Off. This tournament was founded in 1985 and is sometimes referred to as the "Preseason NIT". Unlike the postseason NIT, its final rounds are played at Madison Square Garden.
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College Basketball Invitational
There are several basketball tournaments, including the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is another tournament that has been running since 2008, when it was the first new postseason tournament since 1974.
The CBI is a chance for teams to continue their season, although it is often unpopular among higher-profile teams as it is seen as a tertiary tournament. In 2014, Indiana Hoosiers athletic director Fred Glass declined a CBI invitation, stating, "We're Indiana. We don't play in the CBI."
The CBI is a single-elimination, fully bracketed tournament featuring 16 teams from across the country. The 17th CBI took place from March 22 to 26, 2025, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The tournament is hosted by the Gazelle Group, which offers a wide array of event sponsorship opportunities for businesses.
The 2008 CBI was won by Tulsa, who also won the NIT in 1981 and 2001. The NIT is generally held in higher regard than the CBI, although some teams are opting for the newer tournament.
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CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
There are several basketball tournaments, including the College Basketball Invitational, CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, The Basketball Classic, and the Vegas 16. The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) is an American men's college basketball tournament for teams that don't get selected for the NCAA Division I or National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The tournament was founded by CollegeInsider.com and first held in 2009.
In its early years, teams had to finish the regular season with a minimum .500 winning percentage to be considered for the CIT. An exception was made for the champion of the now-defunct Great West Conference tournament, who received an automatic bid to play in the CIT if they didn't receive a bid for the NCAA or NIT tournaments. In 2013, Chicago State became the first team to participate in the CIT with a losing record (11-21) after winning the last Great West Conference tournament.
The CIT expanded to 32 teams in 2012 but contracted to 26 teams in 2016, 2017, and 2019, and 20 teams in 2018. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was relaunched and rebranded as The Basketball Classic in 2022. In 2023, CollegeInsider.com announced the CIT would be revived in a 16-team pod-based format for the 2023-24 postseason, but ultimately only nine teams agreed to play.
The CIT has had various broadcast partnerships over the years. In 2013, CBS Sports Network partnered with the CIT to show the championship game, with earlier rounds streamed online. Starting in 2014, CBS Sports Network aired the semifinals along with the championship game. In 2017, the early rounds were shown on Facebook Live, and in 2018, Monday's four classics were broadcast by CBS Sports Network. In 2024, games were broadcast or streamed according to the television contracts of the host teams.
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March Madness
There are several basketball tournaments, including the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA also organises March Madness, a popular men's and women's college basketball tournament.
The men's tournament has a rich history, dating back to 1939, with the women's tournament beginning in 1982. The tournaments are held across various sites in the United States and have become a staple of the college basketball calendar. The excitement and passion of the players and fans are evident in every game, with millions of fans filling out brackets and trying to predict the outcomes.
The 2025 men's tournament saw some thrilling moments, with Florida beating Houston in the National Championship game, despite leading for only 63 seconds. Derik Queen of Maryland also stood out with his buzzer-beater to send the Terrapins to the Sweet 16, showcasing the talent and drama that March Madness has to offer.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several basketball tournaments held around the world. Some of the most prominent international basketball tournaments include the Olympic Basketball Tournament, the World Basketball Championship (now known as the Basketball World Cup), the NBA, the Euroleague Basketball (European Champions Cup), and the Stankovic Intercontinental Basketball Champions Cup.
The NBA, one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States, is composed of 30 teams in North America.
The Euroleague Basketball tournament, the highest level of basketball competition in Europe, features 24 clubs from at least 12 countries each season.
The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, currently consists of 68 teams. The tournament was first conducted in 1939 with eight teams and has since expanded over the years, reaching 64 teams in 1985 and 68 teams in 2011.
