We’ve got a fresh batch of NIT Bracketology in time for toNITe’s games, and let me tell you all a secret:
It rocks.
At the moment, we have twenty projected at-large bids open, and while we know the situation can and will change, these are the twenty teams projected to take those bids, plus one thing to know about them:
Nevada
Steve Alford is in his fourth year in Reno (lucky him) and is doing well enough that there’s probably a universe where Indiana fans are pushing to hire him.
Mississippi State
Ideal NIT team in that they’ve lost five of their last six, they hardly ever score more than seventy points, and it’s very hard to notice them. Their colors are maroon and invisible.
Northwestern
These guys have Covid right now, which feels like a cop-out but is more likely an attempt at mass inoculation to the latest variants. It’s about the long game, folks, and I’m told Northwestern is a good academic school, so that long game should lead them right to us.
Utah State
Justin Bean finally moved on, but Ryan Odom’s still there if you’re into NIT pedigree and/or historic March upsets in exhibition tournaments by teams with canine nicknames.
USC
Andy Enfield has a long-running feud with the NIT (more with me personally, to be honest) that he probably doesn’t know about.
UCF
Tacko Fall played here. In the NIT.
New Mexico
Undefeated (spiritually) and coached by the only Pitino to ever win a NITle? The Pit is lit.
Virginia Tech
Hunter Cattoor could be back soon. Have the Hokies damaged their team sheet enough in his absence to make our field?
Wisconsin
There’s a rumor going around that the U.S. Geological Survey has already begun drafting the letter asking Wisconsin not to play Jump Around at any point during a potential home NIT game, for fear that the isthmus would crumble and sink the city of Madison into the sea (lake, and no, it isn’t lakes, it’s lake, I just said the isthmus would crumble).
Texas A&M
Buzz Williams, round two? Buzz Williams, round two! Let’s get Buzzed!!
Florida
Another invisible SEC team, but this time coached by Todd Golden, that nerd from San Francisco.
Oklahoma State
Probably going to win this thing.
Seton Hall
When Shaheen Holloway left Saint Peter’s, it was for stages like this.
Pitt
Ok here’s a scenario: Pittsburgh @ New Mexico, a.k.a. Pitt in the Pit.
St. John’s
St. John’s has won more NITles than any program in college basketball history, and that’s even if you don’t include the vacated one in your count. Coach K could never.
Colorado
Colorado hasn’t played in every NIT since 2016. They’ve only played in three of the five. You’re right, though. It does feel like they’re always here.
Michigan
Hunter Dickinson is a gigantic loser, but he is doing one thing right, and that’s playing on a level that has the Wolverines firmly aimed at not only making the NIT, but going on the road in the first round so he can get booed by 757 casual fans and Deion Sanders.
North Texas
Since helping host the 2021 NIT, North Texas has yet to miss the tournament, sporting a .500 record in NIT games and a 0-0 record in NIT games decided in regulation. The most electric team you know who scores 50 points per game.
Wake Forest
They’re back! Left entirely for dead, Wake Forest just showed up on our doorstep after opening ACC play with a 5-2 mark. The entire Wake Forest athletic department has crafted a persona where you can’t simply dismiss them but they’re also never actually a threat to do anything big. They’re always in the room. I love this for this school.
Utah
Yeah, they did fire Krystkowiak. A couple years ago, even. No, I don’t remember who the new guy is. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s a guy. Feel like we’d be hearing more about it if it wasn’t.
OH SHIT it’s Craig Smith! The guy from Utah State! Ok yes we must see Utah State host Utah in the first round. I *think* Utah State is wild enough to take that very seriously.
**
Viewing schedule for the evening:
8:30 PM EST: Penn State @ Wisconsin (BTN)
There have to be so many 60-year-old Penn State fans pissed that 1) this is on Big Ten Network and 2) it’s happening mostly after their bedtimes. So, so many. And the second part is making them way more pissed about the first part. They’ve learned to accept the first part in most situations, but not when the Big Ten makes them stay up too late and then be all grumpy tomorrow while they’re driving to their office park in Horsham.
Game of the NITe.
9:00 PM EST: Baylor @ Texas Tech (ESPNU)
We’ve got a good one in the Big 12 involving our newest Team Who Could Win the NIT™, and that team is getting dangerously close to being a Team Who Can’t Make the NIT and Also Has an Ongoing Riot in Its Locker Room™, so if Scott Drew really cares about the whole Big 12 like he says he does, Baylor’s going to throw this game.
7:00 PM EST: Creighton @ Butler (FS1)
Butler is trying to finish above .500, and their schedule’s tough enough that if they do, Thad Matta will likely be coaching for a shot at his second national championship, which would be really good for our content. Butler winning is very much in my personal interests, so please: Make it your personal interest as well.
9:00 PM EST: Clemson @ Wake Forest (ESPN+)
Clemson isn’t good enough to win the NIT (we said that months ago and we aren’t backing down now), and we expect that to be on full display as the Deacs make every ACC radio show tomorrow ask whether they could win this league that nobody seems to want to win.
9:00 PM EST: Nevada @ Boise State (MWN)
I went on both these teams’ websites and neither acknowledged that this is being streamed on ‘Mountain West Network,’ which is the hilarious name (but also, what are they gonna call it) for games that are streamed on the MWC’s website. Hiding it only makes me want it more, you two.
9:00 PM EST: UNLV @ Utah State (MWN?)
I’m just assuming on this one. I’m not playing the game again, Mountain West.
8:30 PM EST: Alabama @ Vanderbilt (SECN)
Thankfully, Alabama is not on the NIT’s radar. Vanderbilt kind of is, though. Might be pulling it together!
7:00 PM EST: NC State @ Georgia Tech (ACCN)
Josh Pastner and Kevin Keatts? The prophets foretold NITes like these.
7:00 PM EST: Houston @ Tulane (ESPN+)
Great chance here for the eventual NIT champion to beat the eventual champion of that other tournament. Might be our best chance all year. Probably not. Feels that way right now, though. Imprison me, moment!
9:00 PM EST: Georgia @ Kentucky (ESPN)
Damn, this is an awesome NITe of basketball.
Kentucky’s a roulette wheel right now and I personally really enjoy roulette. (I assume—have never played, but the Final Four is in Las Vegas this year…)
9:00 PM EST: San Jose State @ New Mexico (FS1)
Tim Miles sighting.
7:00 PM EST: Florida State @ Notre Dame (ESPNU)
7:00 PM EST : Davidson @ Dayton (CBSSN)
Two more Teams Who Could Win the NIT™, gotta keep an eye on those.
7:00 PM EST: Boston College @ North Carolina (ESPN+)
7:00 PM EST: Kent State @ Eastern Michigan (ESPN+)
We’ll keep tabs on these two so you don’t have to.
8:00 PM EST: Texas @ Iowa State (ESPN+)
And, lastly, pivoting away from the NIT, we are fully on Shaka Smart vs. Texas watch in the KenPom Cold War. 0.0132 points per possession separate them right now. That’s about a point a game. The Nuts are zoned in.
