South Alabama’s NIT Invitation Rescinded in NCAA Blunder, Sparks Outrage
A wave of frustration and disappointment has engulfed the South Alabama basketball program after the NCAA executed a stunning reversal, rescinding their invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) just hours after extending it. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising questions about the governing body’s decision-making process and the impact on student-athletes.
The Jaguars, co-champions of the Sun Belt Conference regular season with a solid 21-11 record, believed their season was extended with a berth in the NIT. Head coach Richie Riley received the official word late Sunday night from none other than Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill, who also serves as the vice chair of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt. Elated, Riley shared the good news with his players, who celebrated the opportunity to compete in the prestigious tournament.
However, the joyous atmosphere was short-lived. Less than an hour later, Riley received a second call, this time delivering the devastating news that the NIT invitation had been revoked. The reason? UC Riverside, initially committed to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), had expressed renewed interest in participating in the NIT. The NCAA, in a move that has been widely condemned, opted to prioritize UC Riverside’s request, leaving South Alabama out in the cold.
Coach Riley expressed his outrage and empathy for his players, emphasizing the unique challenges they face. "It’s just unfair for our players," Riley stated. "We’ve got a team with zero NIL. They’re a bunch of underdogs that fought their asses off. And now I have to tell them they’re not in the NIT. It’s just an absolute joke."
The situation is particularly galling given the team’s circumstances. In an era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals that often favor larger programs with deeper pockets, South Alabama’s team had succeeded on hard work and determination. The NIT invitation represented a well-deserved reward for their efforts, making its abrupt retraction even more disheartening.
The NCAA’s decision also drew comparisons to the controversy surrounding the NCAA Tournament selections, where teams like West Virginia felt snubbed despite being on the bubble. However, the South Alabama case is viewed as a far more egregious error, as the team had already been officially invited and informed of their participation before the rug was pulled out from under them.
Riley recounted the timeline of events, highlighting the NCAA’s lack of communication and consideration for the impact on his team. According to Riley, Gill and Gavitt initially contacted him at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, offering the NIT bid after UC Riverside’s apparent commitment to the CBI. Riley explicitly confirmed the invitation before informing his players, only to receive a call around 10:45 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. with the news that UC Riverside was back in the picture, and South Alabama was out.
"I said, ‘This is 100%, we’re in right?’ And they said, ‘Yeah, congratulations. I’m glad you were able to get in,’" Riley recalled. "I tell them, ‘I’m gonna tell my guys.’ They’re like, ‘Go ahead.’ So, I tell the team. (Gill and Gavitt) call back, whatever time it was, 10:45, 11 o’clock. Dan’s like, ‘No, UC Riverside is back in. I hate that we had to do this.’ This is unacceptable. You can’t do that."
The NIT released a statement apologizing to South Alabama, acknowledging the "emotional impact this confusion created." However, Riley dismissed the apology as insincere and inadequate. "What they did to us last night is inexcusable!" Riley wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "These guys in our locker room don’t deserve this and it’s sad your idea of making it right is a copy and paste apology!"
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from coaches, players, and fans alike, who view the NCAA’s actions as a blatant display of disrespect and incompetence. Many have called for a thorough investigation into the decision-making process and accountability for those responsible.
The controversy surrounding South Alabama’s NIT invitation highlights the growing concerns about the NCAA’s handling of college basketball tournaments and the need for greater transparency and fairness in the selection process. The Jaguars’ experience serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the human cost of administrative errors and the importance of prioritizing the well-being of student-athletes. The team lost in the Sun Belt semifinals to Arkansas State, 74-71.
