2025 NIT Tournament Update: Second Round Preview and Key Dates
The excitement continues in the 2025 NIT as the tournament gears up for its second round. Scheduled for Saturday, the upcoming matchups feature No. 2 seed George Mason taking on No. 3 seed Bradley, alongside No. 1 seed Dayton facing off against Chattanooga.
Recap of Thrilling First Round Action
The first round of the NIT showcased several intense games, including a notable upset where UAB triumphed over No. 3 seed Saint Joseph’s, clinching a 69-65 victory. Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg delivered a standout performance in this match, contributing 16 points and an impressive 17 rebounds to secure the win for the Blazers. Their next challenge will be against No. 2 seed Santa Clara, who easily dominated UC Riverside in a 101-62 win.
No. 1 seed Dayton also marked their place in the next round, defeating Florida Atlantic 86-79 thanks to guard Javon Bennett’s impressive 30-point game. Their opponent will be Chattanooga, who triumphed in a thrilling triple-overtime battle against No. 4 seed Middle Tennessee, winning 109-103.
Highlight Games from the Previous Round
Another exciting matchup featured No. 1 seed SMU, which hosted Northern Iowa. SMU capitalized on their home court advantage, winning 73-63 with B.J. Edwards delivering a notable all-around performance of 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Meanwhile, No. 1 seed UC Irvine emerged victorious against Northern Colorado with an 82-72 scoreline.
Upcoming Match Schedule for the Second Round
Key Dates in the 2025 NIT
Important Dates:
First Round: March 18-19
Second Round: March 22-23
Quarterfinals: March 25-26
Semifinals: April 1 (Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)
Championship: April 3 (Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)
Second Round Matchups
SMU Region
Upcoming Games:
– No. 2 North Texas vs. No. 3 Arkansas State | Sunday, 7 p.m.
– No. 1 SMU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State | Sunday, 3 p.m.
Dayton Region
Upcoming Games:
– No. 2 George Mason vs. No. 3 Bradley | Saturday, 2 p.m.
– No. 1 Dayton vs. Chattanooga | Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
Irvine Region
Upcoming Games:
– No. 2 Santa Clara vs. UAB | Sunday, 9 p.m.
– No. 1 UC Irvine vs. Jacksonville State | Sunday, 9 p.m.
San Francisco Region
Upcoming Games:
– Kent State vs. No. 2 Stanford | Sunday, 9 p.m.
– No. 1 San Francisco vs. Loyola Chicago | Sunday, 7 p.m.
Conclusion
The second round of the NIT promises to deliver more exciting basketball as teams battle for a spot in the quarterfinals. Basketball fans can look forward to high-stakes games and standout performances as the tournament progresses.
