RIP NIT?

[Not A Serious Person]

September 11, 2023
Big 12, Big Ten, Big East in talks to participate in new postseason event for teams not in NCAA Tournament

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/big-12-big-ten-big-east-in-talks-to-participate-in-new-postseason-event-for-teams-not-in-ncaa-tournament/

If such a made-for-TV bracket did materialize, it would destabilize the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). For nearly six decades, the NIT — which has lost some of its luster in recent years — has been the consolation destination for schools that do not make the coveted NCAA Tournament. If this yet-to-be-named Fox-run tournament came to be, it would mean teams from those three power conferences would forfeit their right to play in the NIT, sources said. That could threaten the NIT model.

[MUbiz]

September 11, 2023
Big 12, Big Ten, Big East in talks to participate in new postseason event for teams not in NCAA Tournament

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/big-12-big-ten-big-east-in-talks-to-participate-in-new-postseason-event-for-teams-not-in-ncaa-tournament/

If such a made-for-TV bracket did materialize, it would destabilize the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). For nearly six decades, the NIT — which has lost some of its luster in recent years — has been the consolation destination for schools that do not make the coveted NCAA Tournament. If this yet-to-be-named Fox-run tournament came to be, it would mean teams from those three power conferences would forfeit their right to play in the NIT, sources said. That could threaten the NIT model.

This would mean Fox would renew the BE TV contract. And I would assume these teams would get a decent appearance fee for the tournament.

[Coleman]

Sign me up (but hopefully not)!

The NIT has become pretty meaningless anyway. If the payouts are better it is a no brainer.

[MU82]

The NIT has only "lost some of its luster in recent years"?

It's been an utterly inconsequential event for decades.

If the NIT indeed is doomed, few if any tears would be shed. Hell, few would even notice.

[Coleman]

The NIT has only "lost some of its luster in recent years"?

It's been an utterly inconsequential event for decades.

If the NIT indeed is doomed, few if any tears would be shed. Hell, few would even notice.

The writing has been on the wall since the NCAA acquired the NIT. I'm surprised it has lasted this long, to be honest.

[The Sultan]

As long as it makes money, it will keep going.

The proposed Fox tournament would function on a much more compact timescale at a single location. So more like a conference tournament than the NIT.

Not sure how many eyeballs would actually watch it though.

[MarquetteDano]

I wonder if this also forces an NCAA expansion to more teams? 

Personally I hope not but I am sure expanding the NCAA tourney (with more buys for higher seeded teams) will make decent coin.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Goodbye NIT, Hello MIT!! (Mediocre Invitational Tournament)

[muwarrior69]

As long as it makes money, it will keep going.

The proposed Fox tournament would function on a much more compact timescale at a single location. So more like a conference tournament than the NIT.

Not sure how many eyeballs would actually watch it though.

So, would you watch if Marquette was in it?

[Scoop Snoop]

So, would you watch if Marquette was in it?

We won't be in it. With Shaka, our worst post season performance from here on will be the Sweet Sixteen.

[Herman Cain]

Here is the article.

https://www.nj.com/setonhall/2023/09/new-fox-sponsored-postseason-basketball-tournament-would-involve-big-east-big-ten-big-12.html

Seems to have an NIL component to it as well

[Uncle Rico]

So, would you watch if Marquette was in it?

I would but I'm not a fair weather fan who only cares when Marquette is winning

[brewcity77]

The more I think about this, the less I think it's a threat to the NIT and the more I think it's a threat to the NCAA Tournament. This is the beginning of power leagues creating a breakaway tournament with only their members. Maybe it starts as the 16 bottom teams in these leagues, but this is how you get to a tournament that only allows the big boys and eventually could be expanded to include the top-64 teams in the top-5 leagues, maybe with a few invitations to whom they see fit.

More than half the NIT was composed of non-P5 last year. It will continue on with the middling attention it currently gets. The real danger is where this could go in 5-10 years if it starts to garner interest.

[Jay Bee]

Scoopers should be on the selection committee, as they excel at NIT-picking.

Unfortunately, though, it appears they'd simply grab teams based on NET.

The timing though... AFTER the Elite 8?? 2.5+ weeks of waiting for a fake tourney seems odd.

[brewcity77]

Scoopers should be on the selection committee, as they excel at NIT-picking.

Unfortunately, though, it appears they'd simply grab teams based on NET.

The timing though... AFTER the Elite 8?? 2.5+ weeks of waiting for a fake tourney seems odd.

All the more reason to think this is aimed to destabilize the NCAAs and not the NIT. It's sliding into the biggest gap in the NCAA calendar (once the NCAAs start) where there are 5 straight days with no games. It tries to catch the college basketball popularity that already exists with large brands while everyone is waiting for the Final Four to tip off.

No idea if it will work, and it seems like most non-NCAA postseason tournaments are doomed to being an afterthought (NIT, Vegas 32 16 8, CBI, CIT, etc) but if your headliners are national brands (Michigan, Villanova, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Wisconsin all would've been in this last year) and you are timing it to go up against tournaments with CUSA teams at best, you are putting forward teams that people could viably think "they might've made the Final 4" in the days leading up to that event.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'll be honest, I don't see any way, shape, or form that this tournament is a threat to the NCAAT. Alumni of the programs and college bball diehards will watch this, no one else. I don't see any way this is a danger to the NCAAT. It's FOX trying to shake a little money out of the couch cushions during a time of year when they have a lull in programming.

[RealChiliWarrior]

The champion could be awarded the Jean Lenti-Ponsetto Trophy. 

[Jay Bee]

I still rank the NIT game Vs S Fla at the MECCA as one of my favorites that I've attended.

I wonder if we'll see kids "sit out" the games

[dgies9156]

The writing has been on the wall since the NCAA acquired the NIT. I'm surprised it has lasted this long, to be honest.

Brother Coleman

The NIT has been a "Not Invited" afterthought since the NCAA expanded its tournament to 48 and then 64 teams. Before the expansion, many high-quality, locked-out teams made this tournament fascinating.

But a tournament involving the seventh-best Big East team or the ninth best ACC team just doesn't cut it. That's why I used to argue Marquette shouldn't go at all. Period.

As constructed today, the NIT is for losers. We are not losers!

[4everwarriors]

Precursor to all D1 teams enterin' da Tourney, aina?

[Shooter McGavin]

The more I think about this, the less I think it's a threat to the NIT and the more I think it's a threat to the NCAA Tournament. This is the beginning of power leagues creating a breakaway tournament with only their members. Maybe it starts as the 16 bottom teams in these leagues, but this is how you get to a tournament that only allows the big boys and eventually could be expanded to include the top-64 teams in the top-5 leagues, maybe with a few invitations to whom they see fit.

More than half the NIT was composed of non-P5 last year. It will continue on with the middling attention it currently gets. The real danger is where this could go in 5-10 years if it starts to garner interest.

Agreed Brew.  I like that the Big East would have a seat at the table in this tournament at least.  Hopefully that would keep us at the table for when the ultimate break away occurs.  The Big East just needs to keep winning and have it be really difficult to leave us out when the inevitable occurs.

[cheebs09]

If it's not a true national championship, I don't think it will be a big threat. I guess it would have to be the Top 5/6 conferences getting together. Not just ESPN with a few and Fox with a few conferences making a glorified Gavitt Games.

[Not A Serious Person]

All the more reason to think this is aimed to destabilize the NCAAs and not the NIT. It's sliding into the biggest gap in the NCAA calendar (once the NCAAs start) where there are 5 straight days with no games. It tries to catch the college basketball popularity that already exists with large brands while everyone is waiting for the Final Four to tip off.

No idea if it will work, and it seems like most non-NCAA postseason tournaments are doomed to being an afterthought (NIT, Vegas 32 16 8, CBI, CIT, etc) but if your headliners are national brands (Michigan, Villanova, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Wisconsin all would've been in this last year) and you are timing it to go up against tournaments with CUSA teams at best, you are putting forward teams that people could viably think "they might've made the Final 4" in the days leading up to that event.

I agree with this ...

there would be an NIL component with FOX planning "to encourage its corporate partners to set up Name, Image and Likeness deals for players who are competing; the network will not be able to pay players directly due to NCAA rules."

Either the NCAA also adopts NIL deals (share payout with the players), or this tourney is the beginning of the end for the "non-NIL" tournaments (both holiday and post-season).

[brewcity77]

I agree with this ...

there would be an NIL component with FOX planning "to encourage its corporate partners to set up Name, Image and Likeness deals for players who are competing; the network will not be able to pay players directly due to NCAA rules."

Either the NCAA also adopts NIL deals (share payout with the players), or this tourney is the beginning of the end for the "non-NIL" tournaments (both holiday and post-season).

Good point. Tying NIL will only make the players more interested in playing in this tournament. Currently, teams cannot refuse an NCAA bid thanks to Al McGuire, but might we see that challenged?

[The Sultan]

Teams can't turn down a bid. But players can. They are offering NIL so they will stick around to play.