The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is a college basketball tournament played each spring, with its final rounds in New York City. The tournament pre-dates the NCAA tournament. Since the rise to prominence of the NCAA tournament, the post-season NIT has consisted of teams who failed to qualify for the NCAA event.
There are separate men's and women's tournaments. There is also a "Preseason NIT", typically held in November.
The NIT is administered by the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association (MIBA), which is made up of five New York City schools, Fordham University, Manhattan College, New York University, St. John's University and Wagner College.
Men's post-season NIT champions