You're the kind of basketball fan who's cooler than the rest, the kind who wants to know about the up-and-coming teams. We give you what you need - reasons to watch NIT games.
Scouting the NIT
There are still meaningful games to play for 32 teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament - a tournament to win, matchups to savor, chances to show out in front of the fans, chances to make plays that the coach will remember when crafting the plan for next year.
NIT Matchups
Who's playing? Click the NIT Bracket image and find out!
The 2014 NIT Tournament features a number of teams that felt they were snubbed from the NCAA Tournament, teams that faltered in their one-bid conference tournament, teams that didn't live up to expectations and teams just growing into their own.
You're here because you're a junkie and you want to know if your team is going to win the National Invitational Tournament, so you can spend the summer thinking that it will be a springboard to greater things next year.
You want to be informed with team's offensive ratings and tempo, you want to know what time the first-round games are on and you want to know which games you should actually sit down and watch. The Rumble has your guide right here.
NIT Teams, sortable table.
NIT Team
Seed
KPom Rk
Record
Conference
Yrs.
Won
Lost
Last Appearance
Bid Type
Arkansas
3
58
21-11
Southeastern
3
4
3
1997
At Large
Belmont
5
109
24-9
Ohio Valley
2
1
2004
Auto Bid
Boston University
7
125
24-10
Patriot
6
5
2005
Auto Bid
California
2
73
19-13
Pac-12
8
12
6
2011
At Large
Clemson
3
51
20-12
Atlantic Coast
15
15
14
2007
At Large
Davidson
7
118
20-12
Southern
6
3
5
2009
Auto Bid
Florida Gulf Coast
8
180
22-12
Atlantic Sun
First Appearance
Auto Bid
Florida St.
1
41
19-13
Atlantic Coast
9
10
8
2013
At Large
Georgetown
4
54
17-14
Big East
12
14
12
2009
At Large
Georgia
2
75
19-13
Southeastern
12
11
11
2007
At Large
Georgia St.
6
60
25-8
Sun Belt
2
1
2002
Auto Bid
Green Bay
4
61
24-6
Horizon
3
1
2
1992
Auto Bid
High Point
8
248
16-14
Big South
First Appearance
Auto Bid
Illinois
2
56
19-14
Big Ten
5
7
4
2010
At Large
Indiana St.
6
104
23-10
Missouri Valley
4
1
3
2013
At Large
Iona
6
76
22-10
Metro Atlantic
5
1
4
1997
Auto Bid
Louisiana Tech
3
35
27-7
Conference USA
7
8
7
2013
Auto Bid
LSU
5
69
19-13
Southeastern
7
3
7
2012
At Large
Minnesota
1
57
20-13
Big Ten
15
28
13
2012
At Large
Missouri
2
77
22-11
Southeastern
8
1
7
2005
At Large
Robert Morris
8
186
21-13
Northeast
3
1
2
2013
Auto Bid
Saint Mary's
4
79
22-11
West Coast
3
2
2
2011
At Large
San Francisco
4
81
21-11
West Coast
6
6
4
2005
At Large
SMU
1
32
23-9
AAC
3
2
4
2000
At Large
Southern Miss
3
63
27-6
Conference USA
10
8
8
2013
At Large
St. John's
1
38
20-12
Big East
30
46
27
2013
At Large
Toledo
6
108
27-6
Mid-American
8
5
8
2007
At Large
UC Irvine
8
86
23-11
Big West
5
2
4
2002
Auto Bid
Utah
5
36
21-11
Pac-12
12
11
10
2001
At Large
Utah Valley
7
198
20-11
Western Athletic
First Appearance
Auto Bid
Vermont
7
70
22-10
America East
3
2
2011
Auto Bid
West Virginia
5
65
17-15
Big 12
16
21
15
2007
At Large
NIT Matchups by time, with location and reasons to watch
Guide:
KPom Rk - rank in Ken Pomeroy's rankings.
AdO - offense, in points per 100 possessions, adjusted by strength of schedule.
AdjD - defense, in points per 100 possessions, adjusted by strength of schedule.
AORk - National rank, adjusted offense; ADRk - National rank, adjusted defense.
AdjT - Tempo/ number of possessions per game, adjusted to the pace of opponents.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
FGCU at Florida St.
Donald L. Tucker Center (Tallahassee, FL)
Tuesday, March 18 7:00 pm
ESPN2
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
1
Florida State
Florida State Bracket
At Large
41
111.6
98.4
46
56
66.6
8
Florida Gulf Coast
Florida State Bracket
Auto Bid
180
100.2
101.8
255
110
68.3
Why Watch?
FSU is the 4th largest team (minutes-weighted) in the country. They get to the line a bunch, and shoot the three well. And they have a bunch of natural talent; could this be the tournament where the Seminoles come together? FSU lost a number of close games - to Florida, to Michigan, to North Carolina... and to Miami and Clemson. Whoops. You remember Dunk City! Bernard Thompson and Chase Fieler and Brett Comer all return for FGCU, joined by Marquette transfer Jamail Jones. Comer is an adventurous passer, Fieler can still finish. And Bernard Thompson was nice to my mom once. (True story.)
Why pick another game?
FSU turns the ball over a LOT; no bad losses, no great in-conference wins = middling major conference team that you might not want to watch. And have you SEEN a FSU game? They're like a chronicle of bad ideas with a basketball. Last year's Dunk City gimmick is less good with a new coach; they don't crash the glass as effectively, and the surprise factor is gone.
This game is probably going to be fantastic, just because I can't find a reason to be excited. So flip by, it could be fun.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
West Virginia at Georgetown
Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.)
Tuesday, March 18 7:00 pm
ESPN
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
4
Georgetown
Florida State Bracket
At Large
54
111.4
100.2
51
77
64.4
5
West Virginia
Florida State Bracket
At Large
65
114.3
104
23
153
68.1
Why watch?
Size, experience and physicality mark the Hoyas, who inexplicably are in the middle of the Big East in most offensive categories and lower on defense. D`Vauntes Smith-Rivera's hot outings are worth a watch, and the Hoyas should be better than they have been; the selection committee said they were part of the first four teams left out (why a four seed then? Was the DePaul loss THAT bad?). On the Mountaineers side, Bob Huggins gets to return to Georgetown. It should be lively if only for that. Juwan Staten is a dynamic guard many of us don't get to see; the team is extremely young and could use this tournament as a springboard.
Why pick another game?
All this experience but a lot of good role players who can't carry the Hoyas on their backs. Often struggled to put up points, inconsistent frontcourt contributions. Who wants to see an over-physical, old-style Big East game with uncalled fouls and hits that make you wince? Plus, Bob Huggins yelling at poor young kids kinda makes you sad sometimes, doesn't it?
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Robert Morris at St. John's
Carnesecca Arena (Queens, NY)
Tuesday, March 18 7:00 pm
ESPNU
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
1
St. John's
St. John's Bracket
At Large
38
107.6
94.5
115
21
68.1
8
Robert Morris
St. John's Bracket
Auto Bid
186
103.7
105.7
189
194
65.3
Why watch?
Because you read this blog? The athletic Johnnies are a thrill to watch when they're running and blocking shots, where they excel. They could make noise next year, or not - either way, they will be entertaining with freshman Rysheed Jordan, just scratching surface of his potential. Meanwhile, after a number of players quit the team, RMU reinvented itself with a zone defense and the strong scoring of Karvel Anderson.
Why pick another a game?
The athletic Johnnies can be terrible to watch when the defense isn’t generating points - long jumpers, isolation plays, and sometimes poor rebounding. And the Colonials, they have a very limited bench and have won a number of very close games to get to this point. (Their KenPom "Luck" rank = 10.); chances are you are going to see the good version of St. John's, so it should be watchable.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Belmont at Green Bay
Resch Center (Green Bay, WI)
Tuesday, March 18 8:15 pm
ESPN3
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
4
Green Bay
St. John's Bracket
Auto Bid
61
108.1
97.8
101
52
66.7
5
Belmont
St. John's Bracket
Auto Bid
109
112.1
107.1
40
217
68.9
Why watch?
Dominant in conference, Wisconsin-Green Bay has a dynamic duo of Keifer Sykes and Alec Brown, a 7-foot senior with an outside touch and NBA interest. The Phoenix gave Virginia one of their six losses on the season, putting up points on one of the nation's stingiest defenses. On the other side, Rick Byrd's Belmont has made the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons. They play fluid offensive basketball and have a senior forward, J.J. Mann, who scores all over the court.
Why pick another a game?
The short bench doesn't do the Belmont Bruins many favors; neither does a defense that gambles for turnovers and can't grab defensive rebounds. I think this is going to be a great game.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
High Point at Minnesota
Williams Arena (Minneapois, MN)
Tuesday, March 18 8:15 pm
ESPN3
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
1
Minnesota
Minnesota Bracket
At Large
57
111.4
100.5
52
87
64.7
8
High Point
Minnesota Bracket
Auto Bid
248
104.8
111.6
169
305
64
Why watch?
Despite a losing record in the Big Ten, Richard Pitino - yes, Rick's son - has a tall + experienced team that has been opportunistic, beating Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin. The Gophers have lot of size, shot blocking and good offense. Plus the Barn is a unique venue; I want to go to there. High Point, led by do-everything sophomore forward John Brown - not the one who can drill through a mountain faster than a machine - the Panthers have a load of young talent that might be NCAA-ready next year.
Why pick another game?
The Golden Gophers of Minnesota have good players, not great ones; the Golden Gophers don't do a lot exceptionally well; a team where the talent and the coach's style might not always mesh. Against high-major teams, the Panthers lost by 35, 21, and 41. The 35 was to GEORGETOWN. Not a good look. Could be a sloppy blowout.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Davidson at Missouri
The Hearnes Center (Columbia, MO)
Tuesday, March 18 9:00 pm
ESPN2
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
2
Missouri
Minnesota Bracket
At Large
77
113.4
104.2
31
160
66.1
7
Davidson
Minnesota Bracket
Auto Bid
118
113
109.1
36
257
67.3
Why watch?
Frank Haith rides a trio of wings (Jabari Brown, Jordan Clarkson, Earnest Ross) who can slash and shoot. The team spends a lot of time at the free throw line; when they're on, they can score in bunches. Bob McKillop's well-coached Davidson team lost two games in conference. Each player is capable of shooting; and even better, they grab defensive rebounds. Davidson finished in the NCAA Tournament the previous two years, coming within a point of Marquette in last year's second round.
Which is to say, upset possibilities here?
Why pick another game?
Is it depressing to see fans on social media crush a team so badly that you get the feeling their own people would rather the Tigers just go home? When the team can't score, the games get clanktastic. (Maybe that should be on the "why watch" and the "get your popcord" categories.) The Davidson Wildcats' 4-10 start saw them take Ls from high, mid, and low majors. The defense was ineffective in the non-conference - but great in-conference So are they good? Or just in a beatable conference? Are they capable of an upset?
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Indiana St. at Arkansas
Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, AR)
Tuesday, March 18 9:00 pm
ESPN
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
3
Arkansas
SMU Bracket
At Large
58
109.3
98.7
82
58
72.6
6
Indiana St.
SMU Bracket
At Large
104
105.5
100.3
156
83
66.6
Why watch?
Mike Anderson is trying to bring the winning running style back to Arkansas. The running and pressure defense is back. The winning is a work in progress. For Indiana State, the Sycamores have a four-year player with NCAA Tournament experience in Jake Odum. This is the team that posed the greatest threat to Wichita State this season in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Why pick another game?
In a crucial game for NCAA hopes, the Arkansas Razorbacks DID lose to South Carolina. And there are a number of seniors who only see spot time; the future isn’t all the way here, and transition years for transition teams can be tough to watch. Indiana State is a poor three-point shooting team; the Sycamores are no sexy upset pick. The effort and experience are there, but the size and scoring are not willing.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Georgia St. at Clemson
Littlejohn Coliseum (Clemson, SC)
Tuesday, March 18 9:00 pm
ESPNU
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
3
Clemson
St. John's Bracket
At Large
51
105.7
94.3
149
20
59.8
6
Georgia St.
St. John's Bracket
Auto Bid
60
113.9
102.8
26
132
65.4
Why watch?
Brad Brownell has his team playing hellacious defense without fouling; they almost beat Duke in the ACC Tournament. A lot of freshman and sophomore minutes, they could emerge next season. Ryan Harrow and RJ Hunter make a dynamic backcourt that is the best in the country at protecting the ball (12% of possessions end in a TO). They were excellent in conference and are good enough to make the NIT finals. I hate to promise anything, btut this game could be tremendous.
Why pick another game?
That offense, tho, Clemson. Bottom half of the ACC in all major offensive categories. Near-last in pace. In other words, boring as hell with the ball. Georgia State's rebounding is an affront to basketball humanity. Lafayette got 20 offensive rebounds and 8 second chance points to knock off top-seeded Panthers by 1 point. Rebounding counts. plus, the pace on this could be somewhere south of "molasses."
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Utah at St. Mary's
McKeon Pavilion (Moraga, CA)
Tuesday, March 18 11:00 pm
ESPN2
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
4
Saint Mary's
Minnesota Bracket
At Large
79
110.9
102.2
61
115
63.1
5
Utah
Minnesota Bracket
At Large
36
110.1
96.6
69
41
64.9
Why watch?
Brad Waldow is a forward in the vein of many recent St. Mary's greats - a master of all of the skills in the post. Steven Holt is not the Arrested Development character, he's a guard who never leaves the floor and can be deadly from the outside. Defensively solid, Larry Krystkowiak has a Pac-12 team with only one senior in the rotation. Be a basketball hipster and get on the Utah bandwagon before anyone else does.
Also, you don't want to go to bed yet. You're a hoops junkie.
Why pick another game (or just go to bed)?
A very experienced St. Mary's team misses an "it" factor, a player who pulls them over the hump. With a tough draw, they may be gone after tonight. Utah DID flop in the Pac-12 Tournament, scoring 39 points against tough Arizona. 39, though.
WEDNESDAY
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Boston U. at Illinois
Assembly Hall (Champaign, IL)
Wednesday, March 19 7:00 pm
ESPN2
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
2
Illinois
St. John's Bracket
At Large
56
104
93.7
181
15
62.6
7
Boston University
St. John's Bracket
Auto Bid
125
105
101.9
166
111
66.7
Why watch?
The Illini are a good defensive team that struggles to find what a "good shot" is. Bowling ball Rayvonte Rice works hard, should draw more fouls with his approach. Lots of young Chicagoland talent that DePaul wanted to bring in but whiffed on. BONUS: Illinois has to play on the road, scheduling problems. As we know from Robert Morris vs Kentucky last year, that's a recipe for a game that favors the underdog… so you want to get your popcorn and follow on Twitter to see if Illini fans have effigies waiting for their coach if he loses.
As for Boston University, tiny Maurice Watson is an excellent passer, averaging 7 assists per game and leading a squad that does a number of things well. He - and shooting guard John Papale - are sophomores, so you can say you knew them way back when. They beat Maryland and took Harvard to overtime.
Why pick another game?
Seriously, Illinois' guards take shots that will blow your mind, and not in the Upworthy kind of way. BU scored 36 points in a home loss to American. By the numbers, they seem happy to take jump shots, and we all know that can go really wrong in a real hurry.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Iona at La. Tech
Thomas Assembly Center (Ruston, LA)
Wednesday, March 19 7:30 pm
ESPN3
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
3
Louisiana Tech
Florida State Bracket
Auto Bid
35
108.7
95.2
92
23
70.6
6
Iona
Florida State Bracket
Auto Bid
76
117.5
108
9
235
69.8
Why watch?
Louisiana Tech have veteran old souls, fast pace, defensive acumen, a coach in former Andy Kennedy assistant Michael White who might be moving up the ranks soon. Never count out a 27-win team with experience and who play fast. Speaking of fast - Iona is EXCITING! So much offensive talent, spacing, shooting and Rosedale's Mike Poole (I have to get in a plug there). David Laury is a true beast in the paint, and shooting Sean Armand and A.J. English are sharp shooters who can get their own shot attempts.
Why pick another game?
Louisiana Tech's three-point shooting seems to be a mix of bad ideas and lack of accuracy for the Bulldogs. They lose when their defense lets them down. On the other side, Iona's defense is SO BAD. What's a rebound? Something the Gaels don't get!
If you like excitement and points, you should make an appointment to watch this game.
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Vermont at Georgia
Stegeman Coliseum (Athens, GA)
Wednesday, March 19 8:00 pm
ESPNU
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
2
Georgia
Florida State Bracket
At Large
75
107.9
99.2
107
65
64.2
7
Vermont
Florida State Bracket
Auto Bid
70
109
99.8
87
72
64
Why watch?
Mark Fox' teams always play hard. This Georgia Bulldog team rebounds well but took some time to come together, needing to recover from a 1-5 start at the beginning of the season. There are good sophomores in Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines. Vermont is another very good team that could have knocked off a high-major that got bounced in a conference tournament. Look for a vengeful set of Catamounts, led by all-name teamer Sandro Carissimo. Their bigs get to the line often.
Why pick another game?
Offensively, the Bulldogs are a numbing, tough watch. With the right draw, they can be that gritty game you watch. Vermont is a team that doesn't take many threes; given their lack of size, they'll need to in this tournament. Maybe this isn’t the team to hitch a wagon to?
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
Toledo at So. Miss
Reed Green Coliseum (Hattiesburg, MS)
Wednesday, March 19 8:30 pm
ESPN3
Seed
Team
Quadrant
Bid Type
KPom Rk
AdjO
AdjD
AORk
ADRk
AdjT
3
Southern Miss
Minnesota Bracket
At Large
63
110.8
100.5
62
88
64.6
6
Toledo
Minnesota Bracket
At Large
108
114.6
109.3
21
262
68.4
Why watch?
The other Golden Eagles (of Southern Mississppi) are very mature (21st in experience) and salty about not getting to the NCAA Tournament despite 27 wins. This group got to the 3rd round of the NIT Tourney last year; they may accept their fate and play hard enough to win the damn thing. But they're facing Toledo. Never discount a team with 27 wins that started the season 12-0. The Rockets get to show what their excellent offense can do against better competition.
Why pick another game?
The Golden Eagles played a crappy schedule - TWO non-Div 1 teams, DePaul, and a pair of strong mid-majors. There's a reason they didn't get to the Tournament, and it's hard to know just how good this team really is. Speaking of bad schedules, Toledo's conference is 13th in KenPom's conference strength (just above Conference USA). The bad thing about playing in a low-rated conference is that bad losses to directional state schools look terrible; Toledo had five of those losses. Western Michigan, in particular, gave them fits, keeping them from the NCAA Tournament. The defense gave up over 90 points in regulation twice (in wins).
Matchup
Location
Time/ Date
TV
UC Irvine at SMU
Moody Coliseum (Dallas, TX)
Wednesday, March 19 9:00 pm
ESPN2
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