2025 NIT begins today with 32 teams competing

The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) starts today, March 18, with its first round. The tournament will run until April 3. The semifinals and championship game will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This year's NIT features 32 teams. The top four seeds include SMU, Dayton, San Francisco, and UC Irvine. Second round games are scheduled for March 22 and 23. The quarterfinals will be held on March 25 and 26. The semifinals will air at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on April 1, on ESPN and ESPN2. The championship game is set for 9 p.m. on April 3, also on ESPN. The NIT has a long history, dating back to its first tournament in 1938. Over the decades, many teams have competed and won, with the tournament evolving into an important college basketball event.