Who declined to play in the NIT?

Numerous college basketball teams declined NIT invitations in recent years, including prominent programs like Syracuse, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Wake Forest, LSU, and Northwestern, often to focus on the NCAA tournament, the portal, or coaching changes, with some also opting for the new College Basketball Crown tournament in 2025. Reasons varied, but common themes were prioritizing player development, avoiding injury, or simply aiming for the NCAA tournament as the primary goal.

Who declined the NIT invite?

The programs that declined tournament invites included Indiana, Northwestern, Rutgers, Wake Forest, Pitt, LSU and South Carolina. Indiana was among the first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament field.

What teams have declined the NIT?

11 men's college basketball teams that declined invites to the...

• Florida State. The Florida State mens basketball team competes to win their second matchup of the season against the Clemson Tigers at Donald L. ...
• Indiana. ...
• LSU. ...
• Nevada. ...
• Northwestern. ...
• Pittsburgh. ...
• Providence. ...
• Rutgers.

Why did Wake Forest decline the NIT?

“While we are certainly disappointed that we did not make the NCAA Tournament, we believe declining the invitation to the NIT is the right decision for this team and this time,” he said. “Our focus shifts to the future, as we aggressively attack the roster-building process for the 2025-26 season.”

Why did Pitt decline the NIT?

"We ultimately fell short of our goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament, despite ranking favorably in the computers, performing well in conference play with a fourth-place finish and an ACC Tournament Semifinal appearance, and playing our best basketball over the last eight weeks of the season.

ESPN analyst goes off on teams declining NIT invite

Why is Indiana not in the NIT?

Indiana will not play in the NIT or any other postseason tournaments, a source confirms with The Daily Hoosier. A late season surge that saw IU win five of their final seven regular season games including wins over Michigan State and Purdue was not enough to put Indiana in the field.

Did any of Jordan's kids make it to the NBA?

No, Michael Jordan does not have children currently playing in the NBA; his sons, Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan, played college basketball but chose business careers instead of the NBA, while his daughter Jasmine also played briefly in high school but found her path in the business side of basketball with the Jordan brand. Despite their pedigree, neither son pursued professional basketball at the NBA level, with Jeffrey playing as a walk-on at Illinois and Marcus at UCF before they both transitioned to entrepreneurship.
 

Why did LSU decline NIT?

“Unfortunately, due to some attrition on our roster with injuries we decided it was best not to participate this year. We will build on that and start our work immediately as we look to make a return to the NCAA Tournament in 2026.”

Did Eric Daniels join Alex Jensen's Utah basketball coaching staff?

Yes, Eric Daniels joined Alex Jensen's coaching staff at the University of Utah as an assistant coach in April 2025, bringing deep local ties, player development expertise, and experience from Utah State and Weber State to the Runnin' Utes' rebuilding efforts. This move reunited him with the program where his father, Donny Daniels, once served, and it's a significant hire for Jensen as he builds his long-term vision for Utah basketball.
 

Did Villanova decline NIT?

Boise State, Butler, Georgetown and Villanova declined NIT bids to join the College Basketball Crown tournament starting March 31 in Las Vegas.

Why is St. Thomas, Minnesota ineligible?

St. Thomas (Minnesota) is ineligible for NCAA postseason tournaments because of the mandatory four-year transition period for schools moving from Division III to Division I, a rule they must complete before qualifying for championships like March Madness; this probationary period began in 2020-21 and makes them ineligible until the 2026-27 season, though they still play in regular season conference games and tournaments.
 

Why couldn't the Houston player touch the ball?

Houston's Emanuel Sharp couldn't touch the ball in the final seconds of the 2025 championship because he had already violated a travel rule by jumping, falling with the ball, and then releasing it; touching it again would have been a double dribble, effectively making him unable to possess the ball without another violation, as clarified by rules about losing pivot foot status after an airborne attempt.
 

Why is TNT leaving the NBA?

The NBA is ending its long-running partnership with TNT because the league signed new, lucrative media rights deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video starting with the 2025-2026 season, leaving TNT out of the main package despite a lawsuit from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to retain rights, which resulted in a unique settlement allowing TNT to continue producing its popular "Inside the NBA" show but air it on ESPN/ABC. 

Why didn't Michigan have to vacate wins?

In this instance, Bay noted that vacated wins can only happen in cases involving the use of a player who should have been ineligible to play. That didn't happen here, so it wasn't a penalty that could even be considered by the committee.

Why isn't West Virginia in the NIT?

And when it comes to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, West Virginia has the dubious distinction of being that team. The tournament's selection committee revealed that one of the biggest reasons for the Mountaineers' omission was the fact that senior guard Tucker DeVries was potentially going to miss games.

What is the easiest D1 school to get into for basketball?

There's no single "easiest" D1 basketball school, as it depends on your skills, academics, and location, but generally, mid-major conferences (like some in the Midwest) often have less intense recruitment than major conferences (SEC), with smaller schools or those in less prominent leagues potentially offering more opportunities if you meet their academic and athletic standards, though only about 1% of high school players make D1 at all. Focus on schools where you're a strong recruit, can get good financial aid, and have solid grades (2.3 GPA minimum). 

Was Billy Gillispie a good coach?

Billy Gillispie is considered a highly successful, albeit controversial, coach who excels at turning programs around quickly, known for impressive turnarounds at UTEP and Texas A&M, leading them to NCAA Tournaments and earning Coach of the Year honors, but his tenure at Kentucky ended poorly, and his tough methods drew criticism. He's a strong recruiter and strategist, achieving success at multiple stops, including JUCO and Tarleton State, but his demanding style often led to player burnout and clashes, making him a polarizing but effective figure.
 

Who was Jeff Blashill?

Jeff Blashill is the Head Coach of the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL. This is his second tenure as an NHL head coach, previously leading the Detroit Red Wings for seven seasons (2015–2022). Jeff began his coaching career in college and junior hockey as an assistant at Ferris State and Miami University (NCAA).

What is Alex Jensen's connection to Utah?

Shaping a basketball identity

It's taken him from starring at Viewmont High, where he was named Deseret News' Mr. Basketball in 1994, to a successful run at the University of Utah, where he helped the Utes reach the 1998 national championship game and earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors in 2000.

Who declined NIT 2025?

LSU, like South Carolina, opted to decline the invitation this March. The Tigers finished their season with a 91-62 loss to Mississippi State in Wednesday's opening round of the SEC Tournament. LSU will finish the season 14-18 overall, 3-15 in conference play and second to last in the SEC.

What did coach Willard do?

Coach Willard (Kevin Willard) recently left the University of Maryland men's basketball program to become the head coach at Villanova, a controversial move that followed a successful, but turbulent, year at Maryland where he led them to the Sweet Sixteen but publicly aired grievances about the Big Ten and NIL funding, creating friction with fans and administrators before his abrupt departure in Spring 2025.
 

What is the controversial LSU song?

The controversial LSU song is often cited as "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck" by Cameo, known simply as "Neck," a popular but risqué tune in HBCU/LSU band culture that some fans find inappropriate for a family-friendly atmosphere, though others see it as a fun tradition, leading to on-again, off-again bans from games, notes a YouTube video. 

How much did Mj pay his ex-wife?

Michael Jordan paid his ex-wife, Juanita Vanoy, a massive divorce settlement estimated at around $168 million when they split in 2006, making it one of the costliest celebrity divorces at the time, with her also receiving custody of their three children and their Chicago mansion.
 

Does Nike still pay Jordan?

Yes, Michael Jordan still makes significant money from Nike through royalties from the highly successful Air Jordan brand, earning hundreds of millions annually as the brand operates as a separate business within Nike and generates billions in sales, making it one of the most lucrative athlete deals ever. He receives a substantial percentage (estimated around 5%) of all Jordan Brand sales, a deal that has evolved from his initial 1984 agreement and continues to pay him decades into his retirement.