Andrew Pace
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament that was founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association. The tournament is operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is considered the oldest college basketball tournament. The 2025 NIT was a single-elimination tournament of 32 NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams not selected to participate in the 2025 NCAA tournament. The tournament commenced on March 18 and concluded on April 3, with the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs defeating the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime to claim the championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | National Invitation Tournament (NIT) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Dates | 18 March 2025 - 3 April 2025 |
| Venue | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Teams | 32 |
| Debut Teams | Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside |
| Winner | University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs |
| Runner-up | University of California–Irvine Anteaters |
| Score | 85–84 |
| Most Outstanding Player | Trey Bonham |
| All-Tournament Team | Trey Bonham, Justin Hohn, Honor Huff, Devin Tillis, and Atin Wright |
| Operated by | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |
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What You'll Learn
The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
Six programs made their debut in the 2025 NIT: Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside. The tournament was broadcast across ESPN's network, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, and ESPN+.
The 2025 NIT was marked by the absence of teams from major conferences such as the Big East, Big Ten, and Big 12, which declined to participate. However, exempt bids were extended to two teams from the Atlantic Coast (ACC) and Southeastern (SEC) conferences, as well as one team each from the top twelve conferences, as rated by the Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings (KenPom).
The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs emerged as the champions of the 2025 NIT, defeating the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime. The All-Tournament Team included Trey Bonham, Justin Hohn, Honor Huff, Devin Tillis, and Atin Wright, with Bonham also being named the Most Outstanding Player.
The NIT, founded in 1938, is one of the oldest college basketball tournaments, predating the NCAA Division I tournament by one year. While its prestige has been surpassed by the NCAA tournament, the NIT continues to provide an opportunity for teams to compete and showcase their talent on a national stage.
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NIT's administration
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The tournament was founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association, one year before the NCAA tournament.
The responsibility for the administration of the NIT was transferred in 1940 to the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Committee, comprising local New York colleges: Fordham University, Manhattan University, New York University, St. John's University, and Wagner College. This committee became the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association (MIBA) in 1948.
The tournament has undergone several format changes over the years, with the number of participating teams expanding from six in its inaugural year to 40 between 2002 and 2006. Since 2007, the tournament has featured a 32-team field, except for 2021 when 16 teams competed.
In 2016, the NIT Committee restructured its membership, limiting members to a maximum four-year term and including current athletics administrators from NCAA schools and former head college basketball coaches. This change aimed to encourage stronger college teams to participate in the NIT.
The 2025 NIT, for example, featured 32 NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams not selected for the NCAA tournament. The tournament was held from March 18 to April 3, with the first three rounds played on campus sites and the semifinals and final at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The administration of the NIT has evolved since its inception, adapting to the changing landscape of college basketball and striving to maintain its relevance and prestige.
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NIT Committee
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NIT Committee, which has a restructured makeup as of 2016, is responsible for organising the tournament.
The NIT Committee previously comprised eight members, all former head college basketball coaches or athletics directors, with no term limits. The current NIT Committee, on the other hand, includes a mix of current athletics administrators working at NCAA schools or conferences and former head college basketball coaches. Committee members now serve a maximum of four years.
The NIT was founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association, one year before the NCAA tournament. From its inception until 2022, the semifinals and finals were played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The tournament has expanded over the years, from six teams in 1938 to 40 teams from 2002 through 2006. Since 2023, all rounds of the tournament have been played at various sites across the country.
The NIT Committee's goal, as stated by former committee chair and former Alabama and Vanderbilt head coach C.M. Newton, is to have a "true basketball event" without preconceived notions about which teams will make it to New York. While the NIT aims for good television coverage, Newton emphasised that the tournament is primarily a basketball competition, not a television spectacle.
The 2025 NIT, a single-elimination tournament of 32 NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams, began on March 18 and concluded on April 3. The first three rounds were played on campus sites, while the semifinal and final rounds were held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs emerged as the champions, defeating the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime.
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NIT games coverage
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament, founded in 1938. It is one of the oldest college basketball tournaments, predating the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The tournament is operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The 2025 NIT was a single-elimination tournament of 32 NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams that did not make it to the 2025 NCAA tournament. The tournament began on March 16, with the selection of the 32 teams, and the first round of games commenced on March 18. The first three rounds were played on campus sites, with the semifinals and finals taking place at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs were crowned champions.
ESPN provided television coverage of the 2025 NIT, with all games broadcast across its network: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN3. ESPN also streamed the tournament on ESPN+. The semifinals took place on April 1, and the championship game on April 3.
In the past, the NIT was considered the most prestigious post-season tournament for college basketball. However, its status was later superseded by the NCAA tournament. The NIT has undergone changes to encourage participation by good college teams, such as restructuring the committee makeup and expanding the number of teams.
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$10
NIT Season Tip-Off
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament. A second, more recent "NIT" tournament is played in November each year and is known as the NIT Season Tip-Off. This tournament was founded in 1985 and is the early-season counterpart to the postseason NIT.
The NIT Season Tip-Off has been a fixture in the early-season basketball tournament landscape for the past three decades. It has traditionally been held during Thanksgiving week in New York City and has featured some of college basketball's finest programs and players. The original field included three teams – Louisville, Duke, and Kansas – that went on to the NCAA tournament and the Final Four in the postseason. Other notable participants include Villanova in 2016 and players such as Danny Manning, Shaquille O'Neal, and Allen Iverson.
In 2014, a new format was announced for the NIT Season Tip-Off. The tournament would no longer be a bracketed event but would instead feature set semifinal matchups in New York. Teams in the NIT Season Tip-Off play four games at campus sites before the eight teams arrive in New York. The semifinal and final rounds were hosted by Madison Square Garden for the first three decades since the tournament's inception. Beginning in 2015, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn has held the two semifinal games and the championship game.
The NIT Season Tip-Off tournament was not held in 2022 but returned in 2023. The 2024 brackets were revealed in August 2024, with the two four-team tournaments taking place at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the 2025 NIT took place from March 18 to April 3.
The NIT is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The NIT was founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association, one year before the NCAA tournament.
From its founding in 1938 to 2022, the semifinals and finals were always played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Since 2023, all rounds of the tournament have been played at various sites across the country. The 2025 NIT games were played at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
