The NIT Tournament bracket 2013 edition was revealed Sunday night, hours after 68 teams were invited to the "Big Dance." The bracket reveal was shown on TV via ESPN U on the "NIT Selection Show" with several big name programs getting invites to the "runner-up" dance this postseason. Among them, state school Virginia earned a #1 seed in the NIT as they had their bubble burst for this year's NCAA Tournament.
A report on March 17 from The Seattle Times indicated that Kentucky would be a lock to be part of this tournament, but might not accept the invite. Other sure thing teams for the NIT were Charlotte, Alabama, Iowa and Virginia.
A total of 32 teams were unveiled as part of this year's National Invitation Tournament, the 76th edition of the tourney. To date, St. John's has won the NIT six times, with Stanford the defending champ in 2012. This year's #1 seeds in the NIT include Kentucky, who is the defending national champion. Also included is Southern Miss, Alabama and Virginia among the #1 seeds.
The tournament includes four brackets containing eight teams each. Despite the fact Kentucky is a #1 seed, they'll have to play at #8 seed Robert Morris, due to the fact Rupp Arena will be unavailable for the first round of the NIT. Southern Miss will open in the first round with a Wendesday night game against #8 seed Charleston Southern.
Alabama, another #1 seed, will start on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST with a game against #8 Northeastern. Virginia will open the tournament against #8 seed Norfolk State with their game to be televised Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN U.
ACC team Florida State made the NIT as a #4 seed and will play #5 seed Louisiana Tech in the first round. Other notable entries include Maryland who will play Niagara, St.John's who will take on St. Joseph's, and UMass who plays Stong Brook live streaming on ESPN3 Wednesday night.
The National Invitation Tournament special was televised at 9 p.m. EST on Sunday via ESPNU, Cox Cable channel 319. Games will begin on Tuesday, March 19th and Wednesday, March 20th for the first round. ESPN network reported that all of the NIT games will be shown on TV via their various networks, and on live stream via WatchESPN.
A blank printable NIT bracket is available here for college basketball fans.
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