
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) is an American men's college basketball postseason tournament. The CIT is a highly anticipated event in the college basketball community, offering exciting matchups and thrilling moments for fans. The tournament is oriented toward teams that did not get selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and provides an opportunity for these teams to continue their season and compete for a championship title.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament |
| Type of Tournament | Basketball |
| Teams | 16 |
| Teams' Criteria | Teams that did not get selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or National Invitation Tournament (NIT) that reside outside of the "major conferences" |
| Format | Single-elimination |
| Major Conferences | Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big XII Conference, Pac-12 Conference, Southeastern Conference, American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Big East Conference, Mountain West Conference |
| Mid-Major Conferences | Power Five conferences, Conference USA |
| Year Started | 2009 |
| No. of Teams in 2012 | 32 |
| No. of Teams in 2016, 2017, and 2019 | 26 |
| No. of Teams in 2018 | 20 |
| No. of Teams in 2024 | 9 |
| No. of Classics in 2024 | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
- CIT stands for CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
- The CIT is an American men's college basketball tournament
- It is for teams that didn't get selected for the NCAA Division I tournament
- The CIT has been criticised for overcrowding the Division I postseason
- The tournament was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

CIT stands for CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
The tournament was first contested in 2009 and has since gained popularity as a platform for showcasing the talent and competitiveness of smaller programs. It provides an opportunity for these teams to continue their season and compete for a championship title. The CIT is a highly anticipated event in the college basketball community, offering exciting matchups and thrilling moments for fans.
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament typically features multiple rounds, with teams competing in a single-elimination format until a champion is crowned. In 2012, the tournament expanded to 32 participating teams, but the number of teams has varied over the years, with 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 in 2022 as The Basketball Classic.
The 2024 edition of the tournament was planned to feature an altered format, with four schools each hosting a four-team pod, including two semifinals and a final. However, only nine teams committed to play, so the format had to be revised. The CIT provides an avenue for teams to gain exposure and experience postseason play, and it has become an integral part of the college basketball landscape, despite some concerns about an overcrowded postseason atmosphere in Division I basketball.
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The CIT is an American men's college basketball tournament
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, or CIT, is an American men's college basketball tournament. It was first played in 2009 and is oriented toward teams that did not get selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). CollegeInsider.com initially defined major conferences as the Power Five, the American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Big East Conference, Conference USA, and Mountain West Conference. Teams from these conferences were not eligible to compete in the CIT. However, this has changed over time, and the eligibility criteria now include win-loss record, strength of schedule, and strength of conference.
The tournament has seen fluctuations in the number of participating teams over the years, ranging from 20 to 32 teams. In 2016, a new element was introduced with the Coach John McLendon Classic, featuring at least one historically black college or university. The winner of this classic advanced to the second round of the CIT. The CIT gained popularity as a platform for showcasing the talent and competitiveness of smaller programs, and it provided a unique opportunity for players and teams to gain exposure and experience in postseason play.
The CIT was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, it was re-launched and rebranded as The Basketball Classic. However, neither The Basketball Classic nor the CIT were contested in 2023. There were plans to revive the CIT in a 16-team pod-based format for the 2023-24 postseason, but only nine teams agreed to participate.
The CIT is a highly anticipated event in the college basketball community, offering exciting matchups and memorable moments for fans. It provides an opportunity for mid-major and smaller Division I college basketball teams to extend their season and compete for a championship title. The tournament typically consists of multiple rounds, with teams competing in a single-elimination format until a champion is crowned.
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It is for teams that didn't get selected for the NCAA Division I tournament
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) is an American men's college basketball tournament for teams that didn't qualify for the NCAA Division I tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The tournament was first held in 2009 and is open to teams from outside the "major conferences".
CollegeInsider.com initially defined majors as the Power Five conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big XII Conference, Pac-12 Conference, Southeastern Conference), American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Big East Conference, Conference USA, and Mountain West Conference. However, they no longer consider Conference USA a major conference and now include it in their mid-major rankings.
The CIT provides an opportunity for these smaller programs to showcase their talent and competitiveness, gain exposure, and experience postseason play. It is highly anticipated in the college basketball community, offering exciting matchups and thrilling moments for fans. The tournament has also gained popularity over the years as a platform for these teams to continue their season and compete for a championship title.
The format of the CIT has varied over the years, with the number of participating teams ranging from 20 to 32. In 2024, the tournament was revived in a 16-team pod-based format, but only nine teams agreed to play. The CIT was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was not contested in 2023.
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The CIT has been criticised for overcrowding the Division I postseason
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) is an American men's college basketball tournament for teams that did not get selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The tournament was first held in 2009, and in 2012 it expanded to 32 participating teams. However, in recent years, the number of participating teams has decreased, with only nine teams agreeing to play in the 2024 edition.
However, others argue that these extra tournaments harm nobody and give players and fans a chance to experience more games. It is important to remember that not all teams will qualify for the postseason, and the additional tournaments provide an opportunity for teams that just missed out on the NCAA Tournament or NIT. Additionally, the tournaments can be used for recruitment and provide exciting games for fans and TV networks.
While the CIT has been criticised for overcrowding, it is important to consider the benefits it brings to the teams and fans. The tournament provides a platform for teams to showcase their skills and gain experience, even if they did not make it into the more prestigious tournaments. It also adds excitement and competition to the Division I postseason landscape.
Despite the criticism, the CIT has continued to be a part of the Division I postseason, offering a chance for teams to strive for success and providing fans with more basketball action to enjoy. The tournament has undergone format changes and faced challenges, such as a reduced number of participating teams in recent years, but it remains a part of the Division I basketball calendar.
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The tournament was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) is an annual American men's college basketball tournament. It was founded by CollegeInsider.com and is oriented toward teams that are not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The CIT includes teams from outside the major conferences.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the tournament. The pandemic caused the cancellation of the CIT in 2020 and 2021, disrupting the annual tradition and forcing a hiatus. During this period, the basketball world faced challenges and uncertainty, and the tournament's future remained uncertain.
In 2022, the tournament was relaunched and rebranded as The Basketball Classic, marking a new chapter in the tournament's history. However, neither The Basketball Classic nor the CIT took place in 2023, leading to further anticipation for the following year.
CollegeInsider.com announced in March 2024 that the CIT would be revived for the 2023-24 postseason with a 16-team pod-based format. Unfortunately, only nine teams agreed to participate in the 2024 edition, indicating a struggle to return to the tournament's pre-pandemic format and level of participation.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the CIT resulted in cancellations, rebranding, and a reduced number of participating teams. The tournament organizers had to adapt and make adjustments to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, ultimately relaunching the tournament in a new format.
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Frequently asked questions
CIT stands for CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
The CIT is a postseason tournament for men's college basketball teams that didn't get selected for the NCAA Division I tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The CIT was first contested in 2009.
The CIT was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was replaced by The Basketball Classic in 2022. While there was no CIT in 2023, CollegeInsider.com announced that it would be revived for the 2023-24 postseason.











































