2025 NIT Tournament Overview

The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is set to commence with an exciting lineup of teams. The tournament features 32 teams, including four No. 1 seeds: Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dayton, UC Irvine, and San Francisco. Matchups will begin on Tuesday at various campus locations, building up to the finals in Indianapolis, Indiana, scheduled for April 3.

Changes in Tournament Format

This year’s NIT will see some changes, primarily due to the introduction of the College Basketball Crown, a new postseason tournament organized by Fox Sports that is set to kick off this spring. For the current season, the NCAA’s new guidelines have led to 16 “exempt” bids being allocated to teams that fulfill specific criteria, allowing for a more varied field.

Participation Breakdown

Notably, only four teams from power conferences will participate this year: Georgia Tech, Stanford, SMU, and Oklahoma State. Some prominent high-major teams—such as Indiana, South Carolina, and Wake Forest—have opted out of the NIT following their absence from the NCAA Tournament. This trend is reminiscent of last year when teams like Oklahoma and Pitt also turned down invitations.

Tournament Schedule and Key Dates

The NIT’s structure has evolved over recent years. Traditionally, the semifinals and final were held at Madison Square Garden, but starting in 2023, the NCAA has accepted bids from various cities to host these events.

Important Dates

• First Round: March 18-19
• Second Round: March 22-23
• Quarterfinals: March 25-26
• Semi-finals: April 1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
• Championship Game: April 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

First Round Schedule

All first-round games will be hosted at the home arena of the higher-seeded teams. Below is the schedule for the first round:

Top Left Bracket

• No. 1 SMU vs. Northern Iowa | Wednesday, 7 p.m.
• No. 2 North Texas vs. Furman | Tuesday, 9 p.m.
• No. 3 Arkansas State vs. Saint Louis | Tuesday, 9 p.m.
• No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. Wichita State | Tuesday, 9 p.m.

Bottom Left Bracket

• No. 1 Dayton vs. Florida Atlantic | Wednesday, 7 p.m.
• No. 2 George Mason vs. Samford | Wednesday, 7 p.m.
• No. 3 Bradley vs. North Alabama | Wednesday, 8 p.m.
• No. 4 Middle Tennessee vs. Chattanooga | Tuesday, 8 p.m.

Upper Right Bracket

• No. 1 UC Irvine vs. Northern Colorado | Wednesday, 10 p.m.
• No. 2 Santa Clara vs. UC Riverside | Tuesday, 11 p.m.
• No. 3 Saint Joseph’s vs. UAB | Wednesday, 7 p.m.
• No. 4 Georgia Tech vs. Jacksonville State | Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Lower Right Bracket

• No. 1 San Francisco vs. Utah Valley | Wednesday, 11 p.m.
• No. 2 Stanford vs. CSUN | Tuesday, 11 p.m.
• No. 3 St. Bonaventure vs. Kent State | Tuesday, 7 p.m.
• No. 4 San Jose State vs. Loyola Chicago | Wednesday, 11 p.m.

Get Involved

As the tournament approaches, it’s a perfect time to engage with friends and compete in bracket pools. Whether you are an avid basketball fan or just looking for some fun, entering your March Madness® brackets could lead to exciting prizes!