Returning to elements of its original format after 22 years, the NIT Season Tip-Off will move to a doubleheader “common site” format for the 2006 event.

NIT Committee Chair C.M. Newton said the format change will enable more fans to enjoy the event, and it guarantees participating institutions of at least two games. The latter is significant given a change in the way multiple-team events are now counted against teams’ maximum-contest limits. Participants will be able to count their NIT games as just one contest toward those limits.

The tournament will begin in four regions: East (Charlotte, Charlotte Bobcats Arena); South (Nashville, Nashville Arena); Midwest (Indianapolis, Conseco Fieldhouse); and West (Spokane, Spokane Arena).

In previous years, the tournament’s preliminary rounds were at campus sites. The move to a more regional format was promised after the NCAA acquired the NIT last year.

“We’ve been examining this event for the past eight months, and the importance of giving our teams an opportunity to play at least two games in regional sites showed itself as a priority early in the process,” Newton said. “Going to regional sites and guaranteeing teams two games levels the playing field and just makes good basketball sense.”

The University of North Carolina, which won the NCAA national championship in 2005, headlines a field that includes Baylor University; Belmont University; Butler University; Colorado State University; Fordham University; Gonzaga University; Indiana University, Bloomington; Iona College; Lafayette College; the University of North Carolina, Wilmington; the University of Notre Dame; Rice University; Sacred Heart University; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and Winthrop University.

“The increase in attendance and record ratings in our first year of conducting the NIT was encouraging, and we fully expect the interest by teams and their fans to continue to grow,” said Greg Shaheen, NCAA vice president for Division I men’s basketball and championship strategies, and president of the NIT, LLC. “The Season Tip-Off established itself early on as a premier tournament, and we are confident that these enhancements will add to that tradition for our student-athletes and fans.” 

The first-round doubleheaders tip off in Indianapolis and Nashville on November 13 and in Charlotte and Spokane on November 14. The regional consolation and championship games will be played the next day at each site. Winners from each site will compete in New York’s Madison Square Garden in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinal and championship doubleheaders, November 22 and 24.

The Midwest and South regions will be November 13 and 14. Indiana will play Lafayette and Notre Dame will face Butler in Indianapolis, while the Nashville site will feature Tennessee vs. Fordham and North Carolina-Wilmington vs. Belmont.

The East and West regions will take place November 14 and 15. North Carolina will play Sacred Heart and Winthrop will take on Iona in Charlotte; Gonzaga will take on Rice and Baylor will face Colorado State in Spokane.

ESPN’s family of networks will once again broadcast the tournament, with coverage scheduled for at least 12 games.

NIT Season

Tip-Off schedule

Midwest (Indianapolis)

November 13-14

Indiana vs. Lafayette

Notre Dame vs. Butler

South (Nashville)

November 13-14

Tennessee vs. Fordham

North Carolina-Wilmington vs. Belmont

East (Charlotte)

November 14-15

North Carolina vs. Sacred Heart

Winthrop vs. Iona

West (Spokane)

November 14-15

Gonzaga vs. Rice

Baylor vs. Colorado State