National Invitation Tournament

National Invitation Tournament
Founded	1938
Organizer	National Collegiate Athletic Association
Teams	32
Venue	Various (early rounds), Madison Square Garden (semifinals & final)
Champion	Seton Hall (2024)
Most champs	St. John's (6)

National Invitation Tournament. The National Invitation Tournament is an annual men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It was founded in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association, predating the NCAA tournament by one year, and was originally considered the premier national postseason event. While its prestige was later eclipsed, it remains a major secondary tournament, offering a postseason opportunity for teams not selected for the NCAA tournament.

History

The event was created in 1938 by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association and was first held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. For decades, it was considered the most prestigious national tournament, often attracting the nation's top teams, including champions from the Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference. The tournament's stature began to shift in the 1950s as the NCAA tournament expanded, a process accelerated by the 1970s when the NCAA mandated automatic qualification for its event. In 2005, the NCAA purchased the event's rights, bringing it under the same organizational umbrella as its championship. Key early figures in its administration included tournament founder Ned Irish.

Format and selection

The field consists of 32 teams, selected by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's selection committee following the announcement of the NCAA tournament field. Selection criteria emphasize overall record, NET ranking, and performance in conference tournaments. All games are played on campus sites at the higher seed's arena until the semifinals and final, which are held at Madison Square Garden. This format differs from the neutral-site model used by the NCAA tournament. The bracket is seeded from 1 to 8 within four regions.

Champions and results

The St. John's Red Storm hold the record for most titles, with six championships, their last coming in 1965. Other multiple-time winners include the Bradley Braves and the Dayton Flyers. Recent champions include the North Texas Mean Green (2023) and the Seton Hall Pirates (2024). Notable early champions include the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and the Utah Utes. The tournament has also been won by schools like the Michigan Wolverines and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Records and statistics

Chris McNealy of the San Francisco Dons holds the single-game scoring record with 42 points, set in 2014. The St. John's Red Storm have the most appearances and victories in the event's history. Team records for margin of victory and consecutive appearances are also tracked. Individual career records for points and assists are held by various players from schools like the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Temple Owls. Statistical leadership is recognized for each tournament.

Media coverage

Television rights have been held by various networks throughout its history, including ESPN, which has been the primary broadcaster since the early 2000s. Games are televised across the ESPN family of networks, including ESPN2 and ESPNU. Radio coverage is provided nationally by Westwood One. Early television broadcasts were handled by networks like CBS. The move to ESPN significantly increased the tournament's national visibility and accessibility.

Significance and impact

It provides a valuable national postseason platform for programs outside the NCAA tournament, often serving as a springboard for future success. Winning the event is a significant achievement for mid-major programs and can enhance a team's national profile. The tournament also offers extra practice time and development for young teams, a benefit highlighted by coaches like Mike Krzyzewski. Its history as the original national championship preserves an important legacy in the evolution of college basketball.

Category:National Invitation Tournament Category:NCAA men's basketball tournaments Category:College basketball competitions in the United States Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1938