NIT 2024: Updated Format, Latest Bracketology Predictions for Men's Tourney | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Sebastian Wright
Published Mar 24, 2026
Thursday's conference tournament results should give us a better idea of which power-conference teams are NIT bound.
The ACC quarterfinal between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Pittsburgh Panthers and the Big East quarterfinal featuring the Seton Hall Pirates and St. John's Red Storm could be bubble elimination games.
Losses on Thursday would likely confirm NIT participation for two teams. The Wake-Pitt winner probably has to win one more ACC tournament game to get into the Big Dance.
As of Thursday morning, Wake Forest and Pittsburgh were ahead of the Virginia Cavaliers in the NET ranking. That would place both squads in the NIT if they do not make the NCAA tournament.
St. John's and the Villanova Wildcats would earn the Big East's NIT auto bids if they miss out on the Big Dance. Villanova is Miller's fourth team out.
The other eight projected power-conference NIT participants would be the Ohio State Buckeyes, Iowa Hawkeyes, Cincinnati Bearcats, Oklahoma Sooners, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Texas A&M Aggies, Utah Utes and Oregon Ducks.
