The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is set, giving 32 college programs that missed out on the NCAA Tournament a chance to extend their seasons and compete for a championship. While it may not have the same energy as March Madness, the NIT still offers a competitive postseason environment, allowing teams to prove their worth, showcase emerging talent, and build momentum for the next season.

The NIT schedule kicks off with the first round on Tuesday, March 18, with games continuing through the championship on Thursday, April 3. This year’s semifinals and title game will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Full 2025 NIT Bracket and Key Matchups

Second-round games will be held March 22-23, followed by the quarterfinals on March 25-26. The semifinals will be played on April 1, with the championship game set for April 3, all airing on ESPN.  So make sure you have your favorite sports betting apps ready to go.

The four No. 1 seeds in the tournament are SMU, Dayton, San Francisco, and UC Irvine, each securing their spots after narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament. Some of the first-round matchups include:

• No. 1 Dayton vs. Florida Atlantic – Dayton looks to use home-court advantage to fend off a dangerous FAU squad.
• No. 3 St. Bonaventure vs. Kent State – A battle of mid-major teams with strong defenses.
• No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. Wichita State – A clash of two programs with recent NCAA Tournament success.
• No. 2 Stanford vs. CSUN – Stanford aims to bounce back from a tough Pac-12 season.

The field features a mix of mid-major powerhouses and Power Five conference teams looking to prove they were snubbed from the Big Dance.

The South Alabama Controversy

One of the biggest talking points heading into this year’s NIT was the last-minute reversal of South Alabama’s invitation. Initially, the Jaguars were told they would be in the tournament after UC Riverside declined its bid due to a commitment to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). However, in a stunning reversal, UC Riverside backed out of the CBI and reclaimed its NIT spot, leaving South Alabama without a postseason opportunity.

South Alabama head coach Richie Riley called the situation “unacceptable,” expressing frustration over how the selection process was handled. The Sun Belt Conference and NIT organizers issued apologies, but the damage was already done—South Alabama’s season was officially over.

Teams That Declined an NIT Invitation

While the NIT may not carry the same prestige as March Madness, it has a long history dating back to 1938—one year before the NCAA Tournament began. At one point, the NIT was considered the premier college basketball postseason event, and even today, it provides an opportunity for teams to end their seasons on a high note.

Each year, some college teams still choose not to participate in the NIT for various reasons, whether due to disappointment over missing the NCAA Tournament or a desire to focus on the future. Here are some of the notable programs that turned down an invite in 2025:

• Indiana – One of the biggest snubs from the NCAA Tournament, Indiana opted out rather than settle for the NIT.
• Pittsburgh – After a disappointing finish in the ACC, the Panthers chose to call it a season.
• Northwestern – Despite finishing above .500, the Wildcats decided to pass on the tournament.
• Wake Forest – A solid 21-11 season wasn’t enough to keep the Demon Deacons interested in the NIT.
• Rutgers – Despite featuring two top NBA prospects, the Scarlet Knights struggled all season and decided to move on.
• South Carolina & LSU – With 14 SEC teams making the NCAA Tournament, these two were the only ones left out and chose not to compete in the NIT. South Carolina and LSU declined their invite

Printable NIT Bracket 2025

This year’s tournament features a mix of talented mid-majors and power conference schools, all with something to prove. Whether it’s Dayton looking for redemption, UC Irvine aiming to represent the West Coast, or Wichita State trying to recapture its past magic, the NIT offers exciting matchups and a chance for teams to finish strong.  You can always download our blank 32-team bracket, but why not download and print one with the 32 NIT teams participating?

With the bracket set, fans can now watch how these teams respond to the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tournament. While you’re not downloadinf and printing a March Madness bracket, our PDF bracket, JPEG and PNG versions will allow you to follow your favorite program or alma mater so when the action starts on March 18, and while the NCAA Tournament grabs most of the attention, the NIT remains an exciting stage for teams looking to make a statement. One thing is for sure—these games may not have the glitz of main NCAA tournament, but for the players and fans involved, the NIT still matters.