The NIT is an ancient, if slightly notorious, college basketball tradition. Every year fans of NCAA tournament-bound schools serenade their rivals with chants of "N-I-T," likely oblivious to the fact that the historic tournament predates its larger, more prestigious cousin.
However, on Friday college basketball fans mobilized to defend the staple of March Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Traditionally, the NIT field automatically includes any team that wins its conference's regular-season title but does not qualify for the NCAA tournament—historically a boon for mid- and low-majors.
In 2024, that will change. The field will now guarantee berths to 12 teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, Pac-12 and SEC regardless of record, and will extend no such courtesy to low-major regular-season champions.
