Four universities have been selected to serve as top seeds in the National Invitation Tournament, with Auburn leading the group after being the second squad excluded from this year’s NCAA Tournament field.
The Tigers (17-16) will be joined by New Mexico (23-10), Wake Forest (17-16), and Tulsa (26-7) as the No. 1 seeds in the 32-team postseason competition that kicks off Tuesday. These top-seeded teams will have the advantage of playing all games at home through the semifinals, provided they continue advancing.
While Auburn chose to participate in the NIT, three other teams that narrowly missed NCAA Tournament selection – Oklahoma, San Diego State, and Indiana – turned down their invitations. Additional programs including Virginia Tech, Florida State, Belmont, and Seton Hall also declined to participate.
Auburn will face South Alabama in their opening matchup Tuesday. Their potential second-round opponent will emerge from the contest between No. 4 seed Seattle and St. Thomas (Minnesota). The region also features No. 2 Nevada welcoming Murray State and No. 3 George Mason hosting Liberty.
New Mexico’s region begins with the Lobos taking on Sam Houston, while No. 4 Utah Valley welcomes George Washington, second-seeded California hosts UIC, and No. 3 Colorado State meets Saint Joseph’s Wednesday.
Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem region and will host Navy, while No. 2 Dayton faces Bradley, third-seeded Yale meets UNC Wilmington, and No. 4 Illinois State battles Kent State. Most regional games are scheduled for Wednesday, with the exception of Tuesday’s Yale-UNC Wilmington matchup.
The final region features Tulsa hosting Stephen F. Austin, No. 2 Oklahoma State taking on Davidson, No. 3 Wichita State facing Wyoming, and fourth-seeded UC Irvine welcoming UNLV on Tuesday.
Several teams in this year’s bracket have claimed NIT championships in the past, including George Washington (2016), Wichita State (2011), Dayton (2010, 1968, 1962), Tulsa (2001, 1981), Wake Forest (2000), California (1999), and Bradley (1982, 1964, 1960, 1957). UC Irvine reached last year’s championship game but fell to Chattanooga.
The tournament’s opening rounds (March 17-18) and second round (March 21-22), along with quarterfinal action (March 24-25), will take place on the home courts of higher seeds. The semifinals are set for April 2, with the championship game scheduled for April 5, both in Indianapolis.
