The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) has introduced new rules that have sparked disappointment among several basketball teams and their supporters. The updated format no longer guarantees a spot for regular-season conference champions, a change that has notably impacted Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), the ASUN Conference's No. 1 seed. Despite winning the regular-season title, EKU's loss in the ASUN quarterfinals means they are no longer automatically qualified for the NIT. This modification has also united Akron and Kent State men's basketball teams in their dissatisfaction with the new NIT format. The alteration, aimed at reserving two spots each for Power 6 leagues and 20 at-large teams, has been criticized for diminishing the achievements of regular-season champions.
ASUN No. 1 seed Eastern Kentucky was upset in its conference tournament. The new NIT rules don't guarantee a spot for regular season conference champions anymore, only guaranteeing two spots each for Power 6 leagues and 20 at-large teams. https://t.co/ThG7nK0vZq
ASUN No. 1 seed Eastern Kentucky was upset in its conference tournament. The new NIT rules don't guarantee a spot for regular season conference champions anymore, only guaranteeing two spots for Power 6 teams and 20 at-large teams. https://t.co/m8tMos55IE
Here’s the other crappy part of No. 1 seed EKU losing in the ASUN quarterfinals. They won the regular-season title, but no longer are regular-season champs assured of an NIT bid. The NCAA changed it prior to the season where regular-season champions no longer get an auto-NIT…
EKU no longer guaranteed an NIT spot as a regular-season champion, and that sucks. The NCAA ruining the NIT is sorta under the radar. https://t.co/LVt7WckkpG
New NIT format disappoints and unites Akron and Kent State men's hoops @ZipsMBB @KentStMBB��� @MACSports @beaconjournal https://t.co/MgY9jq1mF1