2025 NIT bracket: Schedule, scores, TV channels for the men’s tournament 2025

2025 NIT Bracket: Schedule, Scores, and TV Channels for the Men’s Tournament

The 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is set to bring an exciting and competitive field of teams looking to make a statement after missing out on the NCAA Tournament. The NIT is an annual postseason tournament, offering schools another chance to showcase their talent on the national stage. This year’s tournament is filled with intrigue, as some of the best teams in college basketball look to secure a championship that will bring them pride and recognition.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NIT, including the schedule, scores, and TV channel details for every game in the men’s tournament.

2025 NIT Overview

The 2025 NIT will feature 32 teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament field, with the tournament serving as a platform for schools to extend their seasons and give their players a shot at postseason glory. The event will run from March 17th to April 5th, 2025. The games will be held at various locations, with the Final Four taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

indianfastearning.com

NIT Tournament Format

The NIT follows a traditional bracket format, where teams are seeded based on their performance throughout the season and their overall resume. The tournament is single-elimination, meaning each game is do-or-die. Teams that win advance to the next round, while those who lose are eliminated from the tournament.

indianfastearning.com

The field of 32 teams is divided into four regions, with each region containing 8 teams. The top seed in each region will receive a first-round bye, while the other teams will play in the opening round.

2025 NIT Bracket

While the official bracket will be revealed closer to the tournament’s start, we can expect some exciting matchups based on teams that are on the bubble or have strong resumes despite not making the NCAA Tournament. These teams will be hungry to prove their worth and compete for the prestigious NIT title.

Here’s an example of how the bracket might be structured, with hypothetical teams as placeholders:

East Region

1. Team A (First Round Bye)
2. Team B vs. Team C
3. Team D vs. Team E
4. Team F vs. Team G
5. Team H vs. Team I
6. Team J vs. Team K
7. Team L vs. Team M
8. Team N vs. Team O

West Region

1. Team P (First Round Bye)
2. Team Q vs. Team R
3. Team S vs. Team T
4. Team U vs. Team V
5. Team W vs. Team X
6. Team Y vs. Team Z
7. Team AA vs. Team AB
8. Team AC vs. Team AD

South Region

1. Team AE (First Round Bye)
2. Team AF vs. Team AG
3. Team AH vs. Team AI
4. Team AJ vs. Team AK
5. Team AL vs. Team AM
6. Team AN vs. Team AO
7. Team AP vs. Team AQ
8. Team AR vs. Team AS

Midwest Region

1. Team AT (First Round Bye)
2. Team AU vs. Team AV
3. Team AW vs. Team AX
4. Team AY vs. Team AZ
5. Team BA vs. Team BB
6. Team BC vs. Team BD
7. Team BE vs. Team BF
8. Team BG vs. Team BH

2025 NIT Schedule

The NIT will follow a structured schedule, with games being held primarily throughout March and early April. Below is an outline of the important dates and when you can catch each round of the tournament:

First Round

• Date: March 17-19, 2025
• Details: The first round features all 32 teams, with 16 matchups. Each region’s lower-seeded teams will face off, while the top seeds receive a first-round bye.

Second Round

• Date: March 21-22, 2025
• Details: The winners from the first round will advance to the second round, where they’ll face off in another set of exciting matchups. The higher seeds will have home-court advantage in this round, unless otherwise determined by the tournament committee.

Quarterfinals

• Date: March 25-26, 2025
• Details: The tournament is narrowing down, and only 8 teams will remain at this point. The quarterfinals are often the most intense matchups, as teams realize that a spot in the semifinals is just one win away.

Semifinals

• Date: March 28-29, 2025
• Details: The four teams that advance from the quarterfinals will square off in the semifinals. The stakes are higher than ever, and this is the point in the tournament where every team starts to believe they have a chance at the title.

Finals

• Date: April 5, 2025
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City
• Details: The two final teams will meet in a championship game at the iconic Madison Square Garden. This game will determine the 2025 NIT champion and secure a memorable moment for the winning team.

TV Channels and Broadcast Information

One of the best aspects of the NIT is its national coverage, with games being broadcast across multiple channels. Here’s what to expect in terms of where to catch the games and follow the tournament:

ESPN and ESPN2

• ESPN and ESPN2 will be the primary networks broadcasting the games throughout the tournament. From the first round all the way to the championship game, fans can expect a high-quality viewing experience with expert analysis, postgame interviews, and live action.
• First and Second Rounds: Coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 will be extensive, with multiple games broadcast per day. Specific matchups will be chosen based on fan interest, location, and scheduling.

ESPNU

• ESPNU will also provide coverage of select NIT games, especially those featuring high-profile programs or marquee matchups. You can expect plenty of action from this channel during the tournament, including the second and third rounds.

ESPN+

• For fans looking to catch every game of the NIT, ESPN+ will provide streaming coverage of most matchups. This platform will allow subscribers to watch games that may not be broadcast on traditional television. ESPN+ will be particularly useful for fans looking to catch their favorite team’s games when they’re not aired nationally.

Local TV Networks

• In addition to national broadcasts, some NIT games will be available on local regional sports networks. This is especially true for teams with large fan bases or those hosting games at their home arenas. Check local listings for specific games in your area.

2025 NIT Scoreboard

Here’s a glimpse of how the scores could unfold throughout the 2025 NIT. You can track all the scores on ESPN’s official site or the NCAA’s website, which will provide real-time updates on every game.

Sample Scores:

• First Round: Team B 78, Team C 70
• Second Round: Team D 84, Team E 79
• Quarterfinals: Team F 88, Team G 77
• Semifinals: Team H 92, Team I 85
• Championship Game: Team J 79, Team K 73

The scores will update regularly throughout the tournament, and the most exciting moments will be featured across ESPN’s platforms.

Conclusion

The 2025 NIT promises to be an exciting and intense tournament, with teams fighting to extend their seasons and gain valuable postseason experience. The schedule is packed with drama, and the bracket is filled with intrigue, as every team looks to carve out their path to the championship. With national TV coverage and live streaming options on ESPN+, fans will have every opportunity to follow the action closely.

As the tournament unfolds, we can expect surprises, upsets, and incredible basketball that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re a diehard college basketball fan or just looking for some great hoops action, the 2025 NIT is a must-watch event.