The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) has become more than just another postseason college basketball event. With this year’s development of the College Basketball Crown, fans have more to be excited about than the age-old tradition of the NIT itself.
Launched back in 1938, NIT allows teams not selected for March Madness to showcase their talents and seek postseason glory. The 2025 NIT features 32 teams, reduced from the previous patterns due to the emergence of new tournaments, including the College Basketball Crown by Fox Sports.
This new addition is set to create buzz as it features 16 teams, making it distinct yet complementary to the NIT structure. Among the team dynamics, Boise State, Nebraska, USC, and Villanova are notable participants.
Not to be outdone, this year’s NIT sees SMU, Dayton, UC Irvine, and San Francisco earning the coveted No. 1 seeds, heightening the stakes as they prepare for their first-round matches. Unfortunately for those teams, their opening rounds will largely be encapsulated on the same stage as other lesser-known titles.
Fans will quickly notice the strategic scheduling differences, as the top seeds will host their contests on campus except for Dayton, which is hosting the NCAA Tournament's First Four game on Tuesday night. Dayton, boasting 28 appearances, leads this year’s field and ranks as the second-most participating team ever. They look to capitalize on their momentum as they navigate through playoffs.
Among the other first-round hosts, the second-seeded North Texas takes on Furman, the third-seeded Arkansas State will entertain Saint Louis, and the legacy-laden Oklahoma State hosts Wichita State. This remains particularly noteworthy since Oklahoma State stands as the lone representative from the Big 12 this season, which hasn’t seen its usual roster strength.
The games are set for March 18 and 19, including matchups like Florida Atlantic traveling to top-seeded Dayton and George Mason hosting Samford. Others include pivotal contests northern races with the likes of Northern Colorado taking on UC Irvine, showcasing the competitive spirit carried year-round.
Looking at the lineup, teams such as Samford and the high-seeded UC Riverside will also aim for glory. Sunday’s classic bracket reveal sparked added excitement, especially after George Mason's recent five-point loss to VCU left them eager for redemption. The 2025 NIT promises thrilling competition, providing opportunities to less-publicized programs.
This year, teams like San Francisco have interesting stories as well, coming off their respectable run at the WCC, where they finished third. Their past performance leaves them optimistic about their chances against stronger contenders.
The NIT came to fruition without any power conference heavyweights participating. Major teams such as Indiana, Wake Forest, and South Carolina have opted out, thereby allowing space for interesting mid-major underdogs to shine as they seek potential upsets and fanfare.
Historically significant, the NIT leads to Butler’s iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse for its semifinal and championship rounds, pulsated with legacy and tradition, evoking memories of the legendary Temple Owls, who won the inaugural competition back at Madison Square Garden.
Looking back on last year, the Seton Hall Pirates secured their championship against the Indiana State Sycamores, cementing their legacy. With their two conference wins this season, it remains to be seen how they could have defended but chose not to participate this year due to low rankings.
With all factors combined and the excitement on the horizon, the 2025 NIT captivates fans and players alike. The stage promises to be enormous — allowing North Texas and others to define their identities through competitive spirit across college campuses. The tournament runs up to the championship on April 3, transforming mid-major narratives as they push through rounds, and who knows what surprises lay around the corner.
