NIT 2025: Men’s Bracket Schedule, Live Stream and TV Times

Thirty-two teams are gearing up to compete for the NIT title this week, with games taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday. This tournament format gives the top seeds an edge in the first three rounds as they get to host games on their home courts. The crowning of the NIT champion will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 3.

The 2025 NIT field is largely composed of mid-major programs, with only a few power-conference teams like SMU, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, and Stanford in the mix.

In terms of the bracket and dates, SMU, Dayton, San Francisco, and UC Irvine have secured the top seeds. SMU was initially vying for an NCAA tournament spot, but a rough patch in their performance led them to the NIT instead. Dayton, after a slow start in Atlantic 10 play, managed to finish strong with an 11-4 record in their final 15 games. San Francisco, placing third in the West Coast Conference, put up impressive numbers with a 13-5 conference record and 24 wins overall. UC Irvine, despite their efforts, fell short in the Big West tournament final against UC San Diego.

It’s worth noting that South Alabama was initially invited to the tournament but had their invitation rescinded by the NIT committee.

Looking at the brackets, Dayton appears to have the toughest road ahead with George Mason and Bradley as the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in their region. However, as history has shown, the team that looks the strongest on paper doesn’t always come out on top in the NIT. Factors like motivation, coaching changes, and unexpected player movements can all influence the outcome.

While the NIT field is dominated by mid-major teams this year, past trends show that power-conference programs have had success in the tournament. In fact, teams from power conferences have won nine out of the last 11 NITs since 2012, offering a chance for these underdog teams to vie for a championship.