In a stunning sequence of events, South Alabama men's basketball coach Richie Riley experienced a whirlwind of emotions alongside his team following a controversial invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The saga began on Sunday, March 16, 2025, when Riley sought confirmation from NCAA official Dan Gavitt and Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill around 9:30 p.m. regarding the Jaguars' unexpected invitation to the NIT. “I asked them, ‘Is this for sure?’” recalled Riley. The affirmative response prompted him to gather his team for a last-minute Zoom meeting, delivering exciting news that their season was not over, igniting tears of joy among the players. However, the jubilant spirits were abruptly dashed just after 11 p.m. when Gavitt and Gill contacted Riley again, this time to relay the shocking truth: UC Riverside would be the team competing in the NIT, not South Alabama.
The mix-up stemmed from a misunderstanding about UC Riverside's participation status. The Highlanders, who finished with a record of 20-12 and tied for third in the Big West standings, had reportedly committed to another postseason event, the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), earlier that day. Athletic Director Wesley Mallette clarified that UC Riverside learned of their acceptance into the NIT at the same time as everyone else, during the official bracket announcement. In a heartwrenching turn, Mallette conveyed his mixed emotions. “I literally felt sick to my stomach,” said Mallette. “People cannot lose sight of the fact that the best interest of student athletes in this situation was compromised.”
On Monday morning, Riley faced the unenviable task of informing his players of the disappointing turn of events. The atmosphere shifted from celebration to sorrow as the team grappled with the sudden termination of their postseason aspirations. “It’s unacceptable with the way it played out,” Riley stated, highlighting the emotional toll this event had taken on his athletes. The player's elation rapidly turned to heartbreak, as they processed the range of emotions felt in less than 24 hours.
According to statements released by the Sun Belt Conference, the confusion was attributed to South Alabama being initially contacted as a potential at-large replacement team during the NIT selection process. The conference expressed regret over the distress caused to Jaguars’ student-athletes and recognized their overall achievement in securing a regular-season championship amidst the chaos, finishing with a record of 21-11.
Gavitt addressed the media the following morning, explaining the situation. “After the NIT bracket was released Sunday evening,” he stated, “it was brought to the NIT’s attention that one of the teams scheduled to participate had also committed to a non-NCAA affiliated event.” He confirmed that South Alabama was mistakenly considered before realizing that UC Riverside had chosen to accept the NIT invitation.
This season had already proven to be a historic one for South Alabama, highlighted by their regular-season conference title, despite suffering a heartbreaking 74-71 loss to Arkansas State in the Sun Belt tournament semifinals just a week earlier. The chance to participate in the NIT had provided a glimmer of hope following that defeat.
With the NCAA’s 2023 changes to the NIT selection process, regular-season champions who do not win their conference tournaments no longer receive automatic postseason invitations, placing the Jaguars in a regrettable position, forced to depend on the goodwill of the NIT selection committee. Athletic Director Joel Erdmann revealed that the university had expressed their interest in being considered for the NIT field after their loss, hoping to secure a place in the postseason spotlight. The fervor surrounding that unexpected call from Gavitt and Gill brought yet another short-lived hope for the Jaguars. Riley emphasized that he believed his team had earned a chance at postseason glory, as they finished the season with a higher NET ranking than several teams invited to the NIT.
“Our sport is like no other sport,” Riley said passionately. “Whoever wins the conference tournament in a one-bid league goes to the tournament. Everyone else is left home.” He flagged the growing problem where high-major programs seem to monopolize opportunities in the postseason. “If you look at teams in the NCAA Tournament, NIT, and now the Crown tournament, there’s multiple teams with losing records,” he added, expressing frustration at the unfairness that persists in the current structure.
The fallout from this incident prompted a call for improved communication and coordination from the NCAA to avoid such painful situations in the future. Mallette shared his thoughts following the backlash, stating that he spoke to Riley and Erdmann. “All of this could’ve been avoided,” he lamented, highlighting the need for better transparency in the selection process. “Maybe this unfortunate circumstance nudges some changes along,” Erdmann responded, suggesting that proper changes in communication practices could benefit future processes.
Despite the bittersweet conclusion to this season, Riley cherished the journey with his team, labeling it the most enjoyable coaching experience in his seven years at South Alabama. He noted the uniqueness of this year's roster, crediting its success to players from various backgrounds who defied the odds, stating, “We have one of the most unique teams in the country.” They managed to secure 21 wins without any reliance on NIL deals, showcasing a remarkable team effort.
As for UC Riverside, their victory in the NIT was short-lived, as they faced a challenging first-round match against Santa Clara on March 19, where they were ultimately defeated 101-62, marking a conclusion to their postseason hopes as well.
