Sports
2025 NIT: Teams, Schedule, and Format Explained
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) continues with second-round action on Sunday, March 23, featuring 32 teams vying for the coveted title. This year’s semifinals and championship game will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Following a competitive first round, the tournament will progress to the quarterfinals on March 25-26, with semifinals scheduled for April 1. The championship matchup is set for April 3 at 9 p.m. ET, all to be broadcast live on ESPN.
The top seeds for the tournament are Southern Methodist University, Dayton, San Francisco, and UC Irvine, all of which have shown strong performances leading up to this stage. Fans can expect a thrilling weekend of college basketball as teams strive to advance in the bracket.
The schedule for the upcoming matches is as follows: Semifinals on April 1 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The NIT championship will culminate on April 3. All times are in Eastern Time.
In historical context, the NIT has been a prominent postseason tournament in college basketball since its inception in 1938. The tournament has evolved into a showcase for teams that may not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, providing them another chance to compete on a national stage.
As the tournament progresses, fans can look back on notable past champions and MVPs, as the NIT has produced memorable moments throughout its long history. From the early days when Temple claimed the first championship in 1938 to more recent victories by teams like Memphis in 2021, the NIT continues to highlight the passion and skill of collegiate basketball.
The tournament’s format involves a single-elimination structure, meaning that each game is do-or-die for participating teams. This format creates an environment of heightened pressure, as teams will have to give their very best to advance further in the bracket.
With the tournament well underway, fans are encouraged to keep an eye on the brackets as the matchups unfold over the coming weeks. Every game counts, and the path to glory in the NIT is full of potential surprises.
