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The field for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is set, with 32 college basketball teams eyeing a championship while getting to extend their seasons despite missing out on the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket . On Selection Sunday, March Madness took center stage, but the NIT bracket was also unveiled and provides fans with extra basketball to indulge in over the next few weeks. The NIT championship game will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 5.
MORE: 3 bold March Madness predictions for 2026 NCAA Tournament Auburn, which had its bubble burst for the NCAA Tournament, is the top seed for the NIT, along with New Mexico, Tulsa, and Wake Forest. You can download a printable NIT bracket here . Let's do this The #NIT2026 bracket, complete with first round tip-off dates/times, is here It all starts Tuesday night.
pic. twitter. com/ico6Ulbjrj — NIT (@NITMBB) March 16, 2026 Belmont, Virginia Tech, San Diego State, Seton Hall, and Indiana turned down an invitation to the tournament.
The NIT will officially get underway on Tuesday, March 17, with the First Round games, which are hosted on campus sites of the higher-ranked teams. All of the information you need for the 2026 NIT can be seen below, including a full list of teams and key dates. MORE: 3 March Madness teams with easiest paths to NCAA Tournament Final Four 2026 NIT key dates & schedule Mar 3, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general overall view of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the site of the Big 10 Conference basketball tournament.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images First round: Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18 (campus sites) Second round: Saturday, March 21 & Sunday, March 22 (campus sites) Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 24 & Wednesday, March 25 (campus sites) National semifinals: Thursday, April 2 (Hinkle Fieldhouse) NIT championship: Sunday, April 5 (Gainbridge Fieldhouse) — Click here for a printable 2026 NIT bracket — List of 2026 NIT teams Auburn forward Keshawn Murphy (3) is embraced by forward Filip Jovic (38) after beating Mississippi State in their 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. , Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Auburn Bradley Cal Colorado State Dayton Davidson George Mason George Washington Illinois State Liberty Kent State Murray State Navy Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma State Saint Joseph’s Sam Houston Seattle U St.