The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (NCAA Tournament) is the grandest stage of college basketball, but it’s not the only postseason event that matters. For teams that miss out on the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) often provides a second chance to compete for a championship and salvage a season. Historically, the NIT has been a significant part of college basketball’s postseason landscape, offering teams that didn’t quite make the NCAA Tournament an opportunity to finish strong.
For South Alabama’s men’s basketball program, the 2024-2025 season was one of promise and progress. The team had worked hard to position themselves as a contender in their conference and earned a respectable 21-12 record by the time the season came to a close. The Jaguars appeared to be a strong candidate for an NIT bid, but in a shocking turn of events, their invitation to the tournament was withdrawn just days before the start of the postseason. This unexpected decision left South Alabama’s season unceremoniously ended, creating an atmosphere of confusion, disappointment, and frustration for players, coaches, and fans alike.
In this article, we will explore why South Alabama’s NIT invitation was withdrawn, the broader implications of this move, and the significant impact it had on the program. We’ll analyze the factors surrounding the decision and consider the long-term consequences for the Jaguars’ basketball program.
South Alabama’s Promising Season: Setting the Stage
The 2024-2025 South Alabama basketball season was a year full of optimism. Under head coach Richie Riley, the Jaguars had built a reputation as a competitive team in the Sun Belt Conference, a mid-major league that often flies under the radar in the broader landscape of college basketball. While the Jaguars were never expected to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, their solid play throughout the season placed them in a good position to earn a postseason bid, likely to the NIT.
With a 21-12 record, South Alabama had a solid overall performance that included several quality wins against strong competition. Their strength in non-conference play, along with competitive showings in the Sun Belt, made them a strong contender for the NIT, a tournament that usually invites teams with good records but who fell just short of the NCAA Tournament bubble. The invitation to the NIT seemed like the next logical step for a team that had shown clear progress under Riley’s leadership.
However, this is where the narrative took a turn. After receiving what appeared to be a well-earned invitation, South Alabama was informed that their place in the tournament had been revoked, leaving them without an opportunity to continue their season.
The Shocking Withdrawal of the NIT Invitation
The withdrawal of South Alabama’s NIT invitation came as a huge surprise to many within the program and the broader basketball community. With the NIT typically offering spots to teams with strong records and an RPI (Rating Percentage Index) that suggests they deserve a postseason opportunity, it was unclear why South Alabama was removed from consideration so late in the process.
There are a number of factors that might have played a role in the decision to withdraw the invitation, but it’s important to recognize that such decisions are often influenced by a combination of elements, including team performance, the quality of competition faced, conference standing, and broader logistical or procedural issues. Let’s explore some of the possible reasons behind the NIT’s surprising move and how this decision unfolded.
1. RPI and Scheduling Factors
One of the primary factors that could have led to South Alabama’s NIT invitation being rescinded was their final RPI ranking. The RPI is a crucial metric used to evaluate teams’ strength based on their wins, losses, and strength of schedule. While South Alabama had a solid 21-12 record, their RPI ranking did not place them among the top bubble teams vying for a spot in the NIT.
It’s important to note that, while South Alabama had a solid record, much of their success came against lower-tier opponents, particularly in non-conference play. This weaker non-conference schedule, coupled with a lack of high-quality wins over Power Five programs, likely hurt their RPI. The NIT selection committee generally prioritizes teams that have proven they can compete with stronger programs, and South Alabama’s inability to secure signature wins likely played a role in the committee’s decision.
Additionally, the Sun Belt Conference, while competitive, is not always regarded as a power conference in the college basketball landscape. While South Alabama’s performance was strong within the conference, the selection committee might have felt that the team’s overall strength of schedule didn’t measure up to other at-large teams that earned NIT invitations. This discrepancy in scheduling strength could have led the NIT to reconsider South Alabama’s place in the postseason.
2. The Landscape of the NIT: Limited Spots and Increased Competition
The NIT is a prestigious tournament in its own right, but it is also an extremely competitive postseason event with limited spots available. As the field for the NCAA Tournament and NIT are both determined, the demand for invitations far exceeds the number of spots available. For this reason, the selection process can often be contentious, with teams just on the outside of the bubble being left disappointed.
In 2025, the NIT field was more competitive than ever, with a number of schools from Power Five conferences vying for spots. While South Alabama had a solid record, their positioning on the bubble became increasingly tenuous as more teams, including those from stronger conferences, were added to the pool of teams vying for an invitation. It’s possible that South Alabama was pushed out of contention by the strength of other teams’ resumes, including those from larger programs with better conference performance and more marquee victories.
3. Potential Logistical or Procedural Issues
Another factor that could have influenced the decision to withdraw South Alabama’s invitation may have been logistical or procedural concerns related to the selection process. The NIT committee likely reviews a number of criteria before finalizing their field, including team eligibility, travel concerns, and timing issues. It is possible that, as the tournament field took shape, logistical concerns emerged, such as conflicts with scheduling or the availability of venues for certain teams, which led to the decision to remove South Alabama from consideration.
It’s also worth considering that the NIT has specific rules regarding program eligibility, and certain violations—whether intentional or accidental—could potentially affect a team’s ability to participate in the tournament. While no formal violations have been reported in South Alabama’s case, there could have been procedural factors or minor technicalities that led to the team’s disqualification.
The Impact on South Alabama: A Season Cut Short
The withdrawal of the NIT invitation marked a significant emotional and practical blow to South Alabama’s basketball program. For a team that had worked so hard to position itself for postseason play, the disappointment was palpable.
1. Disappointment for Players and Coaches
For the players, the withdrawal of the NIT invitation was a devastating conclusion to a season that had shown so much promise. The postseason is a crucial time for player development, as it allows athletes to showcase their talents on a national stage, gain valuable experience, and, for many, use it as a springboard for future professional opportunities. South Alabama’s players, particularly those on the senior roster, were denied the chance to compete in what could have been their final postseason run.
For head coach Richie Riley, the withdrawal of the invitation was a setback in his effort to build South Alabama into a consistently competitive program. Riley had led the team through a challenging season, and his leadership was key in keeping the team focused despite their exclusion from the NCAA Tournament. However, the failure to secure a spot in the NIT, especially after coming so close, meant that his team would not have the opportunity to capitalize on the momentum they had built during the regular season.
2. Recruiting Impact
The recruitment of future players is often closely tied to a program’s postseason performance. While South Alabama’s lack of an NIT appearance may not significantly harm their overall recruiting efforts, it could have a minor effect on how the program is viewed by potential recruits. High school players and transfers who are considering where to continue their careers may see a postseason appearance as a sign of a program’s stability and competitiveness. As such, the withdrawal could have a ripple effect in terms of the program’s ability to recruit top talent for the coming seasons.
3. A Missed Opportunity for National Exposure
The NIT offers a platform for teams that miss out on the NCAA Tournament to gain national exposure. While the NIT does not enjoy the same level of visibility as the NCAA Tournament, it still garners significant attention, particularly in the later rounds. By not participating, South Alabama missed the opportunity to showcase its program on a broader stage, which could have had long-term benefits in terms of brand recognition, fan support, and even alumni engagement.
Looking Ahead: South Alabama’s Future in Basketball
While the 2024-2025 season ended in a bitter disappointment for South Alabama’s basketball program, there are still reasons for optimism. Coach Richie Riley remains a respected figure in the coaching community, and he has shown the ability to recruit and develop talent. With a strong foundation and continued focus on growth, South Alabama has the potential to continue building toward greater success in the years to come.
However, the NIT’s withdrawal of the invitation serves as a reminder that even the best teams are often at the mercy of external factors like RPI rankings, competition, and procedural decisions. South Alabama will need to work hard in the coming seasons to ensure they have the tools and resources necessary to continue competing at a high level.