NIT Final Four Location Wishlist

It’s the biggest story in sports, and it’s been a while since we threw our two dollars into the ring (inflation). We still don’t know where next year’s NIT Final Four will be held.

To be clear: This doesn’t mean the NIT Final Four location hasn’t been determined yet. The way news works with the NIT is that decisions are made and then later, if someone asks, those running it say, “Oh, you wanted to know that?” which is a very polite way of handling news, to be honest. Pretty presumptive of all other newsmaking entities to send out press releases. Just assuming that I care. That said, the NIT can send me any news it wants to send me. I will always gladly receive an NIT press release. Unless…well, let’s not talk about that.

Anyway, Final Four location wishlist:

Honolulu

Why not? They’ve got basketball courts! Pretty good ace in the hole, too, for those whose tournaments don’t culminate in a trip to Hawaii. Lot of logistical and cost problems here, but bookends the college basketball season fairly well in a world in which the Maui Invitational is located on the island of Maui, its second-best locale (NIT fans can all agree that the 2020 Maui Invitational, which was held in Asheville, was the best Maui Invitational of all time).

New York

This one’s a sleeper, but to those writing it off: You know there are more basketball courts in New York than just the one at Madison Square Garden, right? This should be obvious—sometimes they have concerts or hockey games at MSG, and yet basketball continues elsewhere—but maybe it’s not. Anyway, still a chance we get an elevated court in the middle of Times Square. Maybe I should submit that bid.

Philadelphia

The Palestra is cool. I can confirm that. It fits one of the NIT’s many vibes, which is the historic vibe. Also, if we can just convince Philadelphians that the NIT is a Philly thing, they will kill all its detractors. Also its supporters—chaos is how Philadelphia shows love—but we can pay that price. The Eagles did win a Super Bowl eventually.

Las Vegas

What better way to defeat sin than to confront it in its own city?

Reno

I’m not sure the NIT fanbase is ready for this yet, but we’re working on it. Give us a few years and an NIT Final Four in Reno will have anthropologists scrambling.

Any Basketball Court, and Then Get the Super Bowl to Be Played There

Oh hey, NCA* *********t. You play your championship in a football stadium? Well, football teams play their championship on our court. Shows where the power’s at (in this hypothetical).

Indianapolis

Hard to be upset with Hinkle Fieldhouse. Ever. In any way. Even when the roof leaks, which has happened recently, right? We’ll patch it up together, Butler fans. Also, I’m pretty sure Big Ten people are one lightning bolt of self-awareness away from realizing they need to become NIT-centric in light of how significantly their NIT success this century outpaces their other basketball success.