Exciting Changes Coming to the NIT in 2025
INDIANAPOLIS — The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is set to undergo some significant changes starting in 2025, according to the recently announced new qualification procedures. One of the big highlights is that there will now be 16 “exempt” teams that will receive automatic bids to the tournament.
These exempt teams will include the top two squads from both the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference that are not selected for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Additionally, the top team from the other top 12 conferences—determined through the Ken Pomeroy Rating—will also snag an exempt bid for the NIT. This is a change aimed at giving deserving programs a chance to compete on a bigger stage.
The selection of exempt teams will come from a variety of rankings including the ESPN Basketball Power Index (BPI), NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET), and several other performance metrics. Teams that receive an exempt bid will automatically earn the chance to host a first-round matchup.
Moreover, regular-season conference champions that don’t get selected for the NCAA tournament may also qualify for the NIT by meeting specific performance criteria, making the pathway to the tournament smoother for deserving teams.
The rest of the 32-team field will be rounded out by at-large teams picked by the NIT Committee. In an interesting move, the NIT Board has welcomed former college basketball coaches Tubby Smith and Jeff Jones as new committee members, bringing a wealth of experience to the table.
In a further twist, the NIT Board has approved an experimental rule allowing coaches to appeal out-of-bounds calls in the final two minutes of games. This could shake up end-of-game strategies as coaches will have the power to contest calls rather than relying solely on the officials.
The bracket and pairings for the 2025 NIT are scheduled to be revealed on March 16, with first-round games commencing on March 18. The exciting semifinal and championship rounds will return to the renowned Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 1 and April 3, respectively.
All games will be aired live on various sports platforms, making it easy for fans to catch the action. For detailed updates, it’s best to stay tuned as this thrilling tournament unfolds.
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
