INDIANAPOLIS — Exciting changes are on the horizon for college basketball fans as the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Board of Managers has announced new qualification procedures for the 2025 NIT. The biggest change involves the introduction of exempt teams that will automatically qualify for the tournament.
For the upcoming tournament, 16 exempt teams will be selected, which includes the top two teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference that do not get picked for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Moreover, the leading team not chosen from each of the top 12 conferences, as ranked by the Ken Pomeroy Rating, will also earn an exempt bid.
The selection of the top teams across conferences will hinge on various rankings, including the ESPN Basketball Power Index (BPI), Kevin Pauga Index (KPI), and others. These rankings are already used by the NIT Committee when picking teams. The exempt teams are guaranteed the chance to host their first-round games, adding another thrilling element to the tournament.
In addition to the exempt bids, teams that win their regular-season conference but miss out on the NCAA will have the opportunity to earn an automatic NIT bid, given they meet a scoring average across the multiple ranking systems mentioned.
The remaining 32 spots in the tournament will be filled by at-large selections made by the NIT Committee, ensuring that the most deserving teams are recognized.
The NIT Board has also made notable appointments, with Tubby Smith and Jeff Jones joining the NIT Committee. Smith brings experience from a successful coaching career with a record of 642-370, leading teams to numerous NCAA and NIT appearances. Meanwhile, Jones has coached for over three decades, with a strong record of 560-418, including an NIT Championship in 1992.
Another exciting update is the approval of a new rule that allows coaches to appeal out-of-bounds calls during the final two minutes of games. This rule will ensure that any out-of-bounds decisions can be challenged, leading to potentially game-changing results.
Fans can look forward to the announcement of the bracket and match-ups for the NIT on Sunday, March 16, with the first-round games kicking off at campus sites on Tuesday, March 18. As always, the NIT semifinals and championship will be held at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the semifinal games set for Tuesday, April 1, and the championship taking place on Thursday, April 3. Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN platforms, making it easier for fans to catch all the action.
Visit ncaa.com/NIT for more details about the championship and keep an eye on the upcoming tournament!
