New Headline: Rebel's Defensive Dilemma Halts Magnolia Conference Run
LSU men's basketball will not participate in March Madness for the fourth straight season and has declined a bid to the NIT.
LSU basketball's exclusion from March Madness was assumed ever since the Tigers lost their opening game of the SEC Tournament to Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon, but it was made official Sunday night. Despite LSU falling short of March Madness for the fourth consecutive season, there was still an outside chance that the Tigers could clinch a spot in the NIT for the 10th time in program history and the second time in the Matt McMahon era. The NIT selection format since 2025 guarantees bids to the top two SEC teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament, if the schools choose to accept them.
Unlike last season, LSU was not guaranteed a spot in the NIT should it accept one. Similar to last season though, the Tigers were not in the final NIT bracket when the tournament officially announced its selections on Sunday night. The next time LSU will be in action will be in early November.
More LSU Sports: LSU women March Madness bracketology as Selection Sunday arrives More LSU Sports: LSU baseball routed by Vanderbilt, loses 1st SEC series – Highlights This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU basketball misses March Madness, declines NIT