College Basketball Teams Decline 2026 NIT, Raising Questions About Tournament's Future

As more programs choose to end their seasons after missing the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitation Tournament faces an identity crisis.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:58am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented college basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of crimson, garnet, and navy blue representing the teams mentioned in the story.As the allure of March Madness overshadows the value of other tournaments, the NIT faces an uncertain future amid a growing trend of teams choosing to end their seasons after missing the NCAA Tournament.Belmont Today

A growing number of college basketball teams are choosing to decline invitations to the 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), raising questions about the future of the long-standing postseason event. Programs like Virginia Tech, Belmont, San Diego State, and Seton Hall have all opted out, citing a shift in priorities where only the NCAA Tournament seems to matter. This trend suggests a potential crisis for the NIT as it struggles to remain relevant in an era where teams are unwilling to settle for anything less than the pinnacle of March Madness.

Why it matters

The decision of these teams to decline the NIT is more than just a scheduling choice; it's a reflection of the evolving priorities and pressures within college basketball. As the stakes for reaching the NCAA Tournament continue to rise, with increased player and coach turnover, some programs are unwilling to extend their seasons beyond the big dance. This shift could have profound implications for the NIT, forcing the tournament to adapt or risk fading into obscurity.

The details

Several notable programs have chosen to decline their NIT invitations this year. Virginia Tech was the first to publicly announce their decision, citing their first-round exit in the ACC Tournament. Belmont, despite a 26-6 record, opted out potentially due to their head coach's departure. San Diego State and Seton Hall also took firm stances, with the Aztecs choosing not to participate in any postseason tournaments and the Pirates declining all non-NCAA events. Other teams on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament, like Indiana, Florida State, and Oklahoma, decided to end their seasons entirely.

  • Virginia Tech declined the NIT invitation after their first-round exit from the ACC Tournament.
  • Belmont, despite a 26-6 record, chose not to participate in the NIT, potentially due to their head coach's departure.
  • San Diego State and Seton Hall both took firm stances, with the Aztecs declining any postseason tournaments and the Pirates declining all non-NCAA events.
  • Indiana, Florida State, and Oklahoma, teams on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament, decided to end their seasons entirely.

The players

Virginia Tech

A college basketball program that declined their NIT invitation after a first-round exit in the ACC Tournament.

Belmont

A college basketball program that declined their NIT invitation despite a 26-6 record, potentially due to their head coach's departure.

San Diego State

A college basketball program that declined any postseason tournaments, including the NIT, after a successful season.

Seton Hall

A college basketball program that took a firm stance, declining all non-NCAA tournaments, including the NIT.

Indiana, Florida State, and Oklahoma

College basketball programs that were on the cusp of making the NCAA Tournament but decided to end their seasons entirely.

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What they’re saying

“We must focus on the long-term benefits rather than immediate gratification.”

— Brian Dutcher, Head Coach, San Diego State

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This trend of teams declining the NIT suggests a potential crisis for the tournament, as it struggles to remain relevant in an era where only the NCAA Tournament seems to capture the imagination of players, coaches, and fans. The focus on winning it all is intensifying, leaving little room for celebrating the journey, and this shift could have profound implications for player development and the overall culture of college basketball.