Hey there folks, have you heard the news? The NIT bracket for 2019 is out and it’s time to get your game on! We’ve got the scoop on the latest printable .PDF for the National Invitation Tournament, and let me tell you, it’s a doozy.
First up: what is the NIT?
For those of you who may not be in the know, the NIT is the National Invitation Tournament. It’s a post-season college basketball tournament featuring teams that didn’t make the cut for the NCAA tournament. But don’t let that fool you - these teams are still top notch and ready to battle it out for the title.
The Contenders
Let’s take a look at some of the teams to watch out for this year. First up, we’ve got Arizona State. These guys may have missed out on the NCAA tournament, but they’re not going down without a fight. Led by head coach Bobby Hurley, they’ve got some serious talent on their roster and are sure to put up a good fight.
Next up, we’ve got UNCG. Led by head coach Wes Miller, this team is no stranger to the NIT. In fact, they made it all the way to the quarterfinals last year before falling to Lipscomb. But they’re back and ready for redemption. Keep an eye out for star players Francis Alonso and Isaiah Miller.
And we can’t forget about UC-Irvine. These guys won the Big West conference championship and are headed to the NIT for the first time in a decade. They’ve got a chip on their shoulder and are ready to make a statement. Keep an eye out for star players Max Hazzard and Evan Leonard.
The Upsets
Of course, no tournament would be complete without a few upsets. And the NIT is no exception. Last year, we saw Indiana fall to Wichita State in the first round. Who could be this year’s surprise team?
One team to keep an eye on is Davidson. Led by head coach Bob McKillop, this team is full of surprises. They’ve got some serious talent on their roster, including star player Jon Axel Gudmundsson. Don’t be surprised if they make a deep run in the tournament.
And let’s not forget about Xavier. This team may have struggled in the regular season, but they’re no strangers to the postseason. In fact, they made it all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament just two years ago. Led by head coach Travis Steele, they’re ready to prove that they still have what it takes.
The Road to the Championship
So how do the teams get to the championship? The NIT is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that one loss and you’re out. The bracket is divided into four regions - the top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. Each round, teams will face off against each other until only one team remains.
But it’s not just about winning games. Teams also have to deal with the mental and physical toll of the tournament. Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew put it best: “Every win and every game, the intensity gets that much greater. The pressure gets that much greater. You have to be able to handle it.”
The Final Four
Eventually, the tournament will whittle down to just four teams - the Final Four. These teams will battle it out in New York City’s famous Madison Square Garden arena for the chance to be crowned NIT champions.
Last year, we saw Lipscomb take home the title in an exciting game against Texas. Who will it be this year? We’ll just have to wait and see. So hold onto your seats, folks. The NIT is sure to be a wild ride.
