What is the point of the N.I.T.?

Question

I mean here is a bunch of teams that had only slightly better than losing records playing basketball in a tournament when their seasons, based on their record, should be over. The team that wins is like a champion of what? The middling teams?

Answer 1

the real answer to this question is for MONEY! look at how much more money the tournament brings in, some teams get 1-5 more games? i dont kno how many rounds there are cuz i dont follow it, but everyone still goes to the games, and im sure madison square garden will be sold out for the NIT championship selling shirts, snacks, parking, and other NIT gear....im really starting to believe that college sports are just as much about the money as pro are

Answer 2

The NIT used to be an invite only tournament that brought the best schools to play for the National Championship. This was before the NCAA tournament became the "Big Dance" in the '60s. Nowadays, it is an exhibition for teams that just missed the NCAA Tournament.

Answer 3

I agree. The NIT is so dumb. This coming from a michigan fan where i watch my wolverines play in this godforsaken tournament every single year. Nobody cares if they make it to the NIT. They feel bitter about not making the NCAA tournament. I guess the one thing that teams like is that if they make it to the "final four" they get to go to MSG. No big deal for a team like West Virginia who plays there for the big east tourney like every year. The NIT is really pointless.

Answer 4

So the teams that came up a little short from the Big Show wont fill bad and be able to have there little march madness

Answer 5

Pretty much so the teams that were barely left out get to compete for a title

Answer 6

So the winner of the tournement can say " we're #66!"

Answer 7

its like going to a minor league version of the Superbowl