NIT Championship Winners: A Complete History of Men's and Women's Tournament Victors
Explore the complete list of NIT and WNIT champions, featuring legendary programs and historic moments in college basketball's premier consolation tournament.
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:
- Early Years (1938-1950s): Prestigious premiere postseason event
- NCAA Era (1960s-present): Became secondary tournament
- 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)
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Chattanooga |
| 2024 | Seton Hall |
| 2023 | North Texas |
| 2022 | Xavier |
| ... | ... |
Women's Champions (2015-2024)
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Saint Louis |
| 2023 | Kansas |
| 2022 | South Dakota State |
| ... | ... |
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.
AS Roma
00:00 Italy, Serie A, Round 35
00:00
Fiorentina
Espanyol
00:30 Spain, LaLiga, Round 34
00:30
Real Betis
NJ/NY Gotham FC
01:00 USA, NWSL, Round 7
01:00
Chicago Red Stars
Mainz 05
01:30 Germany, Bundesliga, Round 32
01:30
Eintracht Frankfurt
Bologna
02:45 Italy, Serie A, Round 35
02:45
Juventus
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