Several prominent teams declined invitations to participate in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on Sunday.
The teams that reportedly declined NIT offers include:
| Team | Conference (Implied) |
|---|---|
| St. John's | Big East |
| Pitt | ACC |
| Memphis | AAC |
| Ole Miss | SEC |
| Indiana | Big Ten |
| Oklahoma | Big 12 |
The Decision to Decline
The decision by teams to decline NIT bids often sparks debate within the college basketball community. While some argue that participating offers valuable experience for players, especially younger ones, others contend that for teams accustomed to NCAA Tournament aspirations, the NIT might not align with their program's goals or player development strategies. The perspective that coaches who decline such appearances might be inadvertently harming their players' opportunities for postseason play is a common sentiment among critics of the practice.
These rejections highlight the varying priorities and philosophies of college basketball programs as they navigate the postseason landscape.
