NIT 2025 Updated Bracket, Schedule and Predictions Heading into Men's Semifinals

We're down to four teams in this year's NIT after an exciting slate of quarterfinal games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Loyola Chicago was the only one of the four winners to win by more than four points, while Chattanooga and North Texas got by with a two-point victory. They'll all join UC Irvine in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

While we won't see a back-to-back champion in 2025—Seton Hall won in 2024 but didn't participate in this year's tournament—North Texas won the tourney just two years ago.

The last teams standing will face off at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse for the right to play in Thursday's championship game.

Quarterfinals Results and Upcoming Schedule

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Quarterfinals Results

Chattanooga 67, Bradley 65

North Texas 61, Oklahoma State 59

Loyola Chicago 72, Kent State 62

UC Irvine 61, UAB 77

Semifinals Schedule

Date: Tuesday, April 1

2. North Texas vs. 1. UC Irvine: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

5. Chattanooga vs. 5. Loyola Chicago: 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

NIT Championship

Date: Thursday, April 3

Time: 9 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

North Texas vs. UC Irvine

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North Texas coach Ross Hodge

It's been an odd few days for the North Texas Mean Green. West Virginia recently announced that it is hiring away head coach Ross Hodge to lead its basketball program—though he'll continue to coach North Texas through the duration of its NIT run, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello.

The Mean Green were also unable to host their quarterfinal game against Oklahoma State because of a previously scheduled staff appreciation luncheon. The event was scheduled despite North Texas making the NIT in each of the past three years.

"There is no guarantee even if the staff appreciation luncheon could have been moved that we would have been selected to host due to other planning the NIT does," athletic director Jared Mosley said, per ESPN's Ben Baby.

Could the disruption lead to a letdown against the Anteaters? Perhaps. UC Irving has a strong scoring threat in senior center Bent Leuchten, and its defense can be a pain in the paint.

The Anteaters rank fifth in defensive rebounds per game and second in opposing two-point percentage.

However, the prediction here is that North Texas gets enough offense from standouts Atin Wright (15 points against Oklahoma State) and Brenen Lorient to earn another close victory. Expect spacing and superior three-point defense to give the Mean Green a slight edge.

Prediction: North Texas over UC Irvine

Loyola Chicago vs. Chattanooga

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Loyola Chicago F Miles Rubin

The battle between the Loyola Ramblers and Chattanooga Mocs could feature a clash of styles. Loyola tends to lean on its defense, which allows an average of just 23.6 field goals per game. The Mocs, however, are an efficient offensive team that ranks ninth in two-point percentage and 64th in three-point percentage.

Chattanooga has four different players—Honor Huff, Trey Bonham, Bash Wieland and Frank Champion—who have averaged double digits, though Champion has been out with an undisclosed injury.

Huff led the Mocs with 21 points against Bradley.

Chattanooga also has the edge in the free-throw department, sporting a 77-percent average against Loyola's 67.2 percent clip.

Still, defense can be a difference-maker, and the Mocs rank just 175th in opposing field-goal percentage.

If the Ramblers can keep the score relatively low and keep the free-throw margin close—while getting enough offense from its trio of Desmond Watson, Sheldon Edwards and Jayden Dawson—Loyola can punch its ticket to the championship game.

Prediction: Loyola Chicago over Chattanooga