It’s match time!
Let’s prepare to bounce, it’s time for the Nationwide Invitational Match. Okay, I do know, the NIT won’t be as attractive as its huge brother, but it surely’s a major alternative for a bubble group to stay it to the NCAA choice committee and show why they belonged, or for a small college to play their very own Cinderella.
This yr we’ve got one colossal case of a group snubbed. Texas A&M was not noted of the sector of 68, regardless of having a seemingly stronger case than a number of of the groups who made it into the NCAA area. Making a giant run within the NIT and slicing down the nets could be chilly consolation, however a minimum of it will provide some bragging rights.
The format for the NIT goes to look very acquainted. Now we have a 32 group area single-elimination match, however the huge distinction is the intimate really feel to start out proceedings. The match will start at accumulate campuses for the primary three rounds, then transfer to Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis for the semi-finals and the NIT Championship Recreation.
It’s typically ignored how influential the NIT could be to a program’s future. Certain, in the case of a group like Texas A&M or Wake Forest it’s actually a comfort prize — however for a few of the smaller colleges within the tourney it gives vital nationwide publicity, recognition, and a key recruiting device. The purpose for everybody is making it to the large dance, and whereas we are likely to give attention to the groups within the area as a result of they missed out, it’s additionally vital to see the NIT as a stepping stone for the longer term.
Right here is your full 2022 NIT Bracket
The 2022 NIT Schedule
Tuesday, March 15
1 Oklahoma vs. Missouri State — 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
4 Vanderbilt vs. Belmont — 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
3 VCU vs. Princeton — 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
2 North Texas vs. Texas State — 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU
2 Xavier vs. Cleveland State — 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU
1 Texas A&M vs. Alcorn State — 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
4 Utah State vs. Oregon — 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
4 Colorado vs. St. Bonaventure — 11 p.m. ET, ESPN2
4 Washington State vs. Santa Clara — 11 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Wednesday, March 16
1 Dayton vs. Toledo — 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+
3 Mississippi State vs. Virginia — 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
2 Wake Forest vs. Towson — 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+
1 SMU vs. Nicholls — 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+
3 Saint Louis vs. Northern Iowa — 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+
2 BYU vs. Lengthy Seashore State — 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+
3 Florida vs. Iona — 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2