The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) kicked off with great anticipation on March 16, when the brackets were officially announced. This annual event, revered for providing opportunities for teams just shy of the NCAA Tournament cut, will commence its first round games from March 18-19, with the semifinals and championship set to be held at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, on April 1 and April 3, respectively.
Notably, the four top seeds for this year’s tournament are Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dayton, University of California Irvine (UC Irvine), and San Francisco, each vying for the prestigious title. The selection of these teams as No. 1 seeds reflects their strong performances this season, even as they were left out of March Madness. According to reports from ESPN and other networks, the first round games will take place at designated home sites for the teams, adding to the excitement of home-court advantage.
The first round games highlight intriguing matchups, with the Dallas Region featuring SMU against Northern Iowa, Oklahoma State squaring off against Wichita State, and Arkansas State battling Saint Louis. Meanwhile, the Dayton Region has Dayton taking on Florida Atlantic, with Middle Tennessee facing Chattanooga and Bradley pitted against North Alabama.
Under the Irvine Region, UC Irvine will host Northern Colorado, and Georgia Tech will play against Jacksonville State. The San Francisco Region wraps up with San Francisco competing against Utah Valley, and Stanford facing Cal State Northridge.
This year, the NIT format will showcase some changes, primarily due to the introduction of the College Basketball Crown, a new postseason tournament initiated by Fox Sports. This opens the conversation about the changing dynamics of postseason basketball, as schools aim at securing the best possible routes to playoff glory.
Among the notable trends this year is the declining participation by high-major programs. Several prestigious teams including Indiana and Wake Forest have opted out of the NIT altogether after missing their chance at NCAA Tournament glory. This has raised eyebrows and concerns among fans over the viability and appeal of the NIT as teams navigate their postseason strategies.
Joining four power conference teams—Georgia Tech, Stanford, SMU, and Oklahoma State—in the NIT brings added significance to the tournament, as it now includes only 32 teams, with other hopefuls missing the tournament altogether.
The key dates for the tournament remain unchanged with the first round set for March 18-19, the second round for March 22-23, and the quarterfinals on March 25-26. The semifinals are scheduled for April 1, and the championship game will crown the 2025 NIT champion on April 3, ensuring excitement for college basketball fans everywhere.
Last year's NIT championship game reached 1.4 million viewers, marking the most viewed game since 2010. The increased interest reflects the fans' investment not only in the winning teams but also the larger culture of college basketball.
With anticipation around the bracket’s reveal and subsequent games, the NIT aims to reclaim its glory as the tournament evolves, continuing to draw exciting teams and environments. The intersection of schools’ decisions and tournament dynamics will certainly shape how history sees this year's NIT.
Watching the matches will be simple, as major sports networks including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU are set to broadcast the matches, ensuring fans don’t miss any action.
While the NIT does not carry the same prestige as the NCAA Tournament, it remains significant for participating teams and alumni, providing not just another chance at glory but also the chance to cap the season with pride and teamwork as players get the opportunity to showcase their talent on different platforms.