The NIT is definitely still the #2 tournament, The Crown just has alot of cash behind it and contracts forcing the top 2 B1G, Big East, and Big 12 teams not in the NCAA tournament to go there. If the tournament wasn't being bankrolled by Fox it'd have collapsed by now. I also think this will be the last year of it since they halved the field and as OrediggerPoke said, there's teams under .500 which includes Rutgers who is 5 games under and that's just completely insane to me to see them in the postseason
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NIT!!
- Thread starter phxpoke
- Start date
I was also surprised to see a Wyoming team that was sub .500 in the MWC make the NIT.
It just goes to show how quickly these 2nd tier tournaments have fallen secondary to the new NIL world. I wouldn't doubt even the NIT goes away at some point with the way things are headed.
Maybe but I think the .500 overall record helped out, plus the MW is a top tier mid major conference. #6 in the nation according to the NET and the NIT knows that these schools have large fanbases that can and will travel. A top 100 NET seems to be good enough to qualify for the NIT nowadays given teams declining bids and UW is 99 which works out perfectly well
Attitudes reflect leadership. Sunny wants this team to taste post season, wants to win regardless of who or where he is playing, and sets the bar to be competitive in any and all situations. I appreciate that approach and think that teams declining invites should think about what that says about their own program. That said, I’m glad some of them let their overinflated egos allowed our guys to have the chance to compete. Now go beat the Shockers and keep this season going Pokes!
I doubt these teams are declining because they think they are better than these tournaments. It’s mostly players being uninterested because they would rather figure out their transfer/NIL situation and don’t want to risk injury.
I bet if it was up to the coaches, they would be playing.
WYOFLETCH
Well-known member
Several college basketball teams have declined invitations to the 2026 NIT, prioritizing the transfer portal and focusing on next season over secondary tournaments. Teams opting out include Virginia Tech, Belmont, San Diego State, Seton Hall, Indiana, Florida State, and Oklahoma
- Virginia Tech: The first team to announce they would not participate following their ACC tournament loss, finishing 19-13.
- Belmont: The Missouri Valley regular-season champion (26-6) declined after their coach took the Kansas State.
- San Diego State: Missed the NCAA tournament and decided against playing in other postseason events, citing a lack of benefit.
- Seton Hall: Declined all non-NCAA tournaments, including the NIT.
- Indiana: Opted out of the tournament after falling short of the NCAA tournament.
- Florida State: Declined a spot in the field.
- Oklahoma: Declined a spot, despite being a potential tournament favorite.
Who has declined NIT bid? Full list of teams to opt out of tournament
Teams not in March Madness can still keep playing in the NIT, but some squads are deciding to end their season and not participate.
www.usatoday.com
Is this an AI synopsis of a AI authored article?Several college basketball teams have declined invitations to the 2026 NIT, prioritizing the transfer portal and focusing on next season over secondary tournaments. Teams opting out include Virginia Tech, Belmont, San Diego State, Seton Hall, Indiana, Florida State, and Oklahoma
- Virginia Tech: The first team to announce they would not participate following their ACC tournament loss, finishing 19-13.
- Belmont: The Missouri Valley regular-season champion (26-6) declined after their coach took the Kansas State.
- San Diego State: Missed the NCAA tournament and decided against playing in other postseason events, citing a lack of benefit.
- Seton Hall: Declined all non-NCAA tournaments, including the NIT.
- Indiana: Opted out of the tournament after falling short of the NCAA tournament.
- Florida State: Declined a spot in the field.
- Oklahoma: Declined a spot, despite being a potential tournament favorite.
Who has declined NIT bid? Full list of teams to opt out of tournament
Teams not in March Madness can still keep playing in the NIT, but some squads are deciding to end their season and not participate.www.usatoday.com
Personally, I would take New Mexico. I think they have a great chance to win it.
