The National Invitational Tournament is in hot water after making a shockingly bad error with its 2025 bracket.
It’s very rare that the NIT generates this much attention one day after Selection Sunday, but that’s what happens when you screw up this epically. On Sunday night, when the NIT revealed its field after the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, it was announced that South Alabama had accepted a bid. The Jaguars were a surprise in the Sun Belt this season, finishing 21-11 overall and 13-5 in league play.
This afternoon, the NIT admitted an embarrassing mistake. It had invited South Alabama under the assumption that another team–reportedly UC Riverside–was turning down its NIT berth and playing in the CBI.
When Riverside contacted the NIT to say it had changed its mind, the tournament rescinded South Alabama’s invitation, apologizing for the move in a statement on social media Monday.
“A meaningless apology to the most meaningful group of players I’ve ever coached! What they did to us last night is inexcusable! These guys in our locker room don’t deserve this and it’s sad your idea of making it right is a copy and paste apology!” South Alabama head coach Richie Riley tweeted in response.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 02: General arena view of the NIT logo during the National Invitational Tournament semifinal round college basketball game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Longhorns on April 2, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.
On X/Twitter, fans and media members alike are justifiably crushing the NIT for this decision.
“Terrible. South Alabama players and fans DESERVE a post season after being picked 11th preseason and finishing 1ST PLACE!” said South Alabama alum and former team radio broadcaster Joe McNulty. “@NCAA DO BETTER FOR THESE ATHLETES THAT WORKED HARD TO GET WHERE THEY ARE!!!!”
“The comments being turned off should give a sign about how poorly this was handled,” added WHAS11’s Alyssa Newton.
“How about — South Alabama vs. UC Riverside, winner gets the bid,” another USA alum suggested.
“Why does this tournament still exist?” a fourth person asked.
“The @NITMBB is not a serious competition. Completely half-assed tournament that doesn’t do its homework,” a fifth person said.
HARRISONBURG, VA – JANUARY 11: Head coach Richie Riley of the South Alabama Jaguars reacts to a call during a college basketball game against the James Madison Dukes at the Atlantic Union Bank Center on January 11, 2024 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
It seems mind-boggling that the NIT committee wouldn’t either hold the spot for Riverside until it made a final decision or turn Riverside down when it tried to come back and play in the tournament, since South Alabama had already RSVP’d yes.
Anyway, you have to feel awful for the South Alabama players, coaches and staff members. They had the rug pulled out from under them.
It’s inexcusable on the NIT’s part.
