NIT Championship Winners: A Complete History of Men's and Women's Tournament Victors

The Legacy of the NIT Tournament

The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) has been a cornerstone of college basketball since 1938, offering teams an alternative path to postseason glory. While often considered the "consolation" tournament for programs that miss the NCAA Tournament, the NIT boasts a rich history that predates the NCAA Tournament's dominance.

Men's NIT Championship History

• Most Titles: St. John's leads with 5 championships (though some were later vacated)
• Last 5 Champions:
  • 2025: Chattanooga
  • 2024: Seton Hall
  • 2023: North Texas
  • 2022: Xavier
  • 2021: Memphis
• Notable Programs:
  • 4 championships: Dayton, Bradley
  • 3 championships: Michigan, Providence
  • 2 championships: Penn State, South Carolina, Stanford

Women's NIT (WNIT) History

Established in 1998, the WNIT has grown into a prestigious tournament:

• Recent Champions:
  • 2024: Saint Louis
  • 2023: Kansas
  • 2022: South Dakota State
  • 2021: Rice
  • 2020: Canceled (COVID-19)
• Multiple-Time Champions:
  • 2 titles: Wisconsin, Ohio State, Kansas State

The Tournament's Evolution

The NIT's significance has changed dramatically over time:

1. Early Years (1938-1950s): Prestigious premiere postseason event
2. NCAA Era (1960s-present): Became secondary tournament
3. Modern Format: 32-team field with automatic bids for regular season conference champions who don't make NCAA Tournament

Complete Championship Lists

Men's Champions (2015-2025)

Women's Champions (2015-2024)

Why the NIT Still Matters

While not the NCAA Tournament, the NIT offers:

• Valuable postseason experience
• Opportunity for young teams to build momentum
• Showcase for mid-major programs
• Historic platform with legendary winners

For more college basketball coverage, visit ESPN's men's and women's basketball hubs.