The NIT is both a joyous alternative for a small faculty, or essentially the most disappointing comfort prize of March. Certain, the Nationwide Invitational Event is at all times going to play second fiddle to the NCAA Event, however there’s nonetheless wonderful basketball being performed, and completely attention-grabbing matchups.
This 12 months marks the primary time since 2019 that we are going to see a full NIT. The 2020 occasion was cancelled cue to Covid, with a 16-team decreased subject marking its return in 2021. Now we have now a full 32-team subject, providing alternatives for groups that ended on the improper facet of the bubble, and small convention hopefuls that didn’t earn at-large bids.
Probably the greatest parts of the NIT is the way it captures the spirit of faculty basketball. Slightly than being performed in big enviornment impartial courts, the NIT begins on campuses — giving the a small, intimate really feel we don’t typically see in a match of this caliber. The primary spherical is ready to happen on March 15-16, with the second spherical on March 19-20, the third spherical on March 22-23, culminating with the semi-finals and closing at Madison Sq. Backyard on March 29 and thirty first respectively.
The whole NIT shall be broadcast on ESPN this 12 months, however first we have to see who will dance. Right here’s the small print for how one can watch on Sunday, after the NCAA Event has been chosen.
Date: Sunday, March 13
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU
Streaming: Watch ESPN and ESPN+
