What is the NIT?
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is a prestigious college basketball tournament held annually in the United States. It was established in 1938, and is the second-oldest college basketball tournament in the country behind only the NCAA Tournament. Each year, 32 teams compete in the NIT, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament the following year.
History of the NIT
The National Invitation Tournament has been around since 1938, when it was created as an alternative to the NCAA Tournament. It was originally intended to be a showcase for some of the best teams in the country, which the NCAA Tournament did not recognize.
The NIT has changed significantly since its inception. In the early days, it was considered the premier college basketball tournament in the country, and many of the most successful teams over the years have come from the NIT. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that the NCAA Tournament began to eclipse the NIT in popularity and prestige.
Teams in the NIT
The NIT features 32 teams, most of which are selected by a selection committee based on their performance in the regular season. The remaining teams are selected based on their performance in the NCAA Tournament. All teams that do not make the NCAA Tournament are eligible for selection to the NIT.
The teams in the NIT are usually comprised of mid-major schools, as well as some of the top teams from the major conferences. Each team is given a seed based on its performance in the regular season, and the higher-seeded teams usually have a better chance of winning.
Format of the NIT
The NIT is a single-elimination tournament with each round consisting of one game. The tournament begins with the first round, which features 16 games between the 32 teams in the tournament. The winners of each game advance to the second round, where the field is cut down to 16 teams.
From there, the tournament continues until the championship game, which is typically held on the final Saturday in March. The winner of the championship game is crowned the NIT champion and is awarded an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament the following year.
Prize Money for the NIT
The NIT winner is awarded a $200,000 prize, which is split among the team’s players and coaches. The runner-up also receives a cash prize, although the amount is significantly less. The NIT also awards $50,000 to the team that wins each round, with the exception of the championship game.
Television Coverage of the NIT
The NIT is broadcast on ESPN and the ESPN family of networks. The NIT Tipoff Show and the NIT Selection Show are both broadcast on ESPN, and all NIT games are broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or the ESPN3 online streaming service.
What Channel is Carrying the NIT?
The NIT is broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN3. All NIT games, including the championship game, are broadcast on one of these channels.
Where to Watch the NIT
The NIT can be watched on television, as well as online through the ESPN3 streaming service. The NIT can also be watched on streaming services such as Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and AT&T TV Now.
NIT on Social Media
The NIT is active on social media and can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Fans can follow the NIT on social media for updates on the tournament, as well as highlights and other content related to the tournament.
NIT App
The official NIT app is available for iOS and Android devices. The app provides up-to-date information on the tournament, including scores, schedules, and highlights. It also allows users to set up push notifications for game updates and other important information.
Conclusion
The National Invitation Tournament is a prestigious college basketball tournament that has been around since 1938. It features 32 teams, and the winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament the following year. The NIT is broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN3. It can also be watched online through streaming services such as Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and AT&T TV Now.