Helena Frye
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NIT is a 32-team single-elimination tournament that features many NCAA bubble teams that didn't make the NCAA Tournament. The tournament was founded in 1938 and was considered the most prestigious post-season showcase for college basketball before its status was superseded in the mid-1950s by the NCAA tournament. The 2025 NIT championship was won by the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs, who defeated the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | National Invitation Tournament (NIT) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Dates | 18 March 2025 – 3 April 2025 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Format | Single-elimination tournament |
| Participants | NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams not selected for the NCAA tournament |
| Debutants | Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside |
| Champion | University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs |
| Runner-up | University of California–Irvine Anteaters |
| Score | 85–84 |
| Location | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Previous names | Operated by the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association (MIBA) until 2005 |
| Operators | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |
| Founding | 1938 |
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What You'll Learn
History of the NIT basketball tournament
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It is the oldest college basketball tournament, having begun in 1938, a year before the NCAA tournament. The NIT was founded by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association, a group of New York sportswriters, and was originally administered by the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association (MIBA).
In its early years, the NIT was the most prestigious post-season showcase for college basketball. The tournament originally featured six teams, with all games played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This provided greater media exposure for the teams, as there was limited national media coverage of college basketball in the 1930s and 1940s. The field of teams expanded over the years, reaching 32 teams in 1980 and 40 teams in 2002. Since 2007, the tournament has reverted to a 32-team format.
From its founding until 2022, the semifinals and finals of the NIT were always played at Madison Square Garden. Since 2023, all rounds of the tournament have been played at various sites across the country. The NIT has a rich history, with the champions of the NCAA and NIT tournaments playing each other during World War II to raise money for the war effort. While the NCAA tournament has surpassed the NIT in popularity and importance, the NIT remains a significant and exciting event in college basketball.
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Format and rules of the tournament
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 and is considered the oldest postseason college basketball tournament, predating the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament by one year.
The NIT originally featured six teams, with all games played at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Over the years, the field has expanded several times, reaching 32 teams in 1980 and 40 teams from 2002 to 2006. Since 2022, the tournament has reverted to the 32-team format. The NIT is a single-elimination tournament, with teams competing from various sites across the country that are selected annually.
In the past, NIT teams were selected in consultation with ESPN, with schools often chosen based on their large television fan bases and potential for respectable attendance. To qualify for the NIT, teams must have a .500 or better overall record.
The 2025 NIT included 32 NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams not selected for the NCAA tournament. Six programs made their debut in this edition: Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside. The tournament began on March 18 and concluded on April 3, with the first three rounds played on campus sites and the semifinal and final rounds held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Non-NCAA tournament teams from major conferences, such as the Big East, Big Ten, and Big 12, are typically contractually prohibited from playing in the NIT if they decline an invitation or remove themselves from consideration for a bid. However, exempt bids are often extended to teams from other top conferences, such as the Atlantic Coast (ACC) and Southeastern (SEC) conferences.
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Participating teams
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 and is college basketball's oldest tournament.
The 2025 NIT was a single-elimination tournament of thirty-two NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams not selected to participate in the 2025 NCAA tournament. Six programs made their debut in the NIT: Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside.
The first three rounds of the 2025 NIT were played on campus sites, with the semifinal and final rounds played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs defeated the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime to claim the championship.
The All-Tournament Team was composed of Trey Bonham (Chattanooga), Justin Hohn (UC Irvine), Honor Huff (Chattanooga), Devin Tillis (UC Irvine), and Atin Wright (North Texas). Bonham was also selected as the Most Outstanding Player.
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Venues and dates
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament. From its founding in 1938 until 2022, the semifinals and finals were 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, which are selected annually.
The 2025 NIT took place from March 18 to April 3. The first three rounds were played on campus sites, with the semifinal and final rounds played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The 2025 NIT saw six programs make their debut: Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside. The championship game was between the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs and the University of California–Irvine Anteaters, with the former winning 85–84 in overtime.
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Winners and runners-up
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 and predates the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament by one year. Until the mid-1950s, the NIT was considered the most prestigious post-season showcase for college basketball. The first NIT was won by the Temple University Owls, who defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 60-36. St. John's has won the most NIT titles, with five.
From its founding in 1938 to 2022, the semifinals and finals were always played at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City. Since 2023, all rounds of the tournament have been played at various sites across the country, which are selected annually. The tournament originally featured six teams but has since expanded to 32 teams.
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 took place from March 18 to April 3, with the first three rounds played on campus sites and the semifinal and final rounds played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs defeated the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime to claim the championship.
The All-Tournament Team for the 2025 NIT was composed of Trey Bonham, Justin Hohn, Honor Huff, Devin Tillis, and Atin Wright. Trey Bonham was also selected as the Most Outstanding Player.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The NIT basketball tournament was founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.
The 2025 NIT tournament took place from March 18 to April 3, with the first three rounds played on campus sites and the semifinal and final rounds played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The 2025 NIT tournament featured 32 NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams that did not qualify for the NCAA tournament. Six programs made their debut: Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Northern Colorado, Samford, and UC Riverside.
