Get Rid of the NIT Tournament

A LayupDrill.com Exclusive

As the NCAA Tournament is set to resume play Thursday night, with the Sweet 16, the “other” college basketball tournament has been keeping some die-hard college hoops fans attention in the meantime. The NIT, or National Invitational Tournament, used to hold the same honor and prestige as March Madness. That was back in the 60’s though. An awful lot has changed since then, and in today’s game, the wealth of talent is spread throughout the country. You no longer see only a few college hoops powerhouses anymore.

When the NCAA purchased the NIT a few years back, the purpose of the tournament was officially lost. It once was looked at as a viable option for those teams who were either not good enough to make the NCAA Tournament, or who had a good season, but lost in their conference tournaments.

Don’t be fooled by corporate spin, ESPN, who has rights to the NIT Tournament currently, push it as a great product. However, if the sports media giant ever received rights to the big dance, the NIT would be lost somewhere on regional sports channels forever. While there are many good teams in the field, such as St. Marys, Florida, Penn State, and Baylor, none of them made the field of 65 for a reason.

Some have argued that the NCAA should expand the field in March Madness, however I don’t feel that is an answer. Some have also stated that the NIT is nice for players to continue their season, even though they did not make the NCAA. I say, that’s cool, but just like college football, who really watches the Motor City Bowl or the Insight.com Bowl? Most barely watch all of the BCS games, unless their alma mater is playing.

As a college basketball fan, ask yourself this question. If the NIT were to go away, would you honestly miss it?