Sports are an integral part of many people’s lives, with a wide variety of competitions and events available for individuals to take part in. As such, there are numerous acronyms used by sports fans and professionals alike, with NIT being one of the most common. But what does NIT mean in sports?
NIT stands for the National Invitational Tournament, and it is a postseason collegiate basketball tournament. It was founded in 1938 and was originally known as the National Invitation Tournament. The NIT is considered one of the most prestigious basketball tournaments in the United States, and it is held annually in New York City.
 |
Bet on Basketball $1,000 Welcome Bonus A+ Rating Review 25+ Years Online |
Join now! |
Qualifying for the NIT
The NIT is a single-elimination tournament featuring 32 teams, with the winners receiving an automatic bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. The teams that qualify for the NIT are usually those that did not make the NCAA Tournament, but have a record that is good enough to merit an invitation.
Selection for the NIT is determined by a committee of college basketball experts who consider factors such as strength of schedule, overall record, and road record. The committee also considers any head-to-head matchups and results against teams that made the NCAA Tournament.
Benefits of Participating in the NIT
The NIT provides an opportunity for teams and players to showcase their skills and gain valuable tournament experience. It also serves as a platform for teams to demonstrate their ability to compete at a high level and potentially earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament the following year.
In addition, the NIT provides an opportunity for teams to build a sense of camaraderie and pride, as well as a chance to improve their ranking in the national polls. The tournament also gives teams a chance to gain exposure to a larger audience, as the games are typically broadcast on television.
The NIT Format
The NIT is played in a single-elimination tournament format, with the first round featuring eight games and the second round featuring four games. The quarterfinals and semifinals are both best-of-three series, while the finals are a single game. The tournament is played over the course of three weeks, with the first round taking place on the second Tuesday of March and the finals being held on the first Monday of April.
The NIT Champions
Since its inception in 1938, the NIT has featured some of the most talented college basketball teams and players in the country. Some of the most notable teams to have won the tournament include the UCLA Bruins, Duke Blue Devils, and Kansas Jayhawks.
The most recent NIT champions are the TCU Horned Frogs, who defeated the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2018 finals. The Horned Frogs were led by star guard Jaylen Fisher, who was named the tournament’s MVP and was selected in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Conclusion
The NIT is one of the most prestigious basketball tournaments in the United States, and it provides an opportunity for teams and players to showcase their skills and gain valuable tournament experience. The tournament is played in a single-elimination format and has featured some of the most talented college basketball teams and players in the country. The most recent champions are the TCU Horned Frogs, who won the 2018 tournament and had star guard Jaylen Fisher named the tournament’s MVP.