Xavier gives NIT a fitting sendoff in MSG swan song

Xavier raises NIT championship as tournament departs Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

NEW YORK — The awards had been distributed, nets cut down, postgame press conferences finished and recorded. 

In the media room, writers and photographers put the finishing touches on their work before exiting. Walking through the hallways everything was quiet. Fans had long since exited. A few employees were finishing their rounds, interrupting by saying, “take care, have a good night.” A glimpse at the court saw the teardown process had begun. 

In a way, it was sad. The NIT week had been one of mixed emotions, excitement over having the tournament back at the World’s Most Famous Arena for the first time since 2019, sadness knowing it will not be here for the next two years, and as some speculate, maybe never again.

The NCAA, who owns the NIT, decided to move the tournament Final Four to other cities. The next two years are up for grabs, with St. Louis rumored to be the front runner for 2023. The Garden? A future possibility, not probability. Exiting the Garden was a feeling of nostalgia regarding the history of this tournament. Certainly sadness, as you were saying goodbye to a close friend who was leaving for another location and might not make a return visit.

The NIT was founded by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers’ Association. Temple emerged victorious in the first tournament that included a field of six teams. The tournament administration was transferred to the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association in 1940. Over the years, the field of six expanded: To 12 in 1949, 14 in 1965, 16 in 1968, 24 in 1979, 32 in 1980 and 40 from 2002 through 2006. In 2007, the field went back to the 32-team field. The exception was 2021, when the number was trimmed to 16 due to the pandemic.

The tournament had been completely contested at Madison Square Garden for years. Wanting to inject new life in the nation’s oldest postseason tournament, executive director Peter A. Carlesimo called for the contesting of the first round on campus in 1977. The following year, all rounds leading up to the semifinals would be held at campus sites. At first, the move was not too popular, especially with coaches having to take their teams on the road to a challenging venue. In time, the move was accepted as the tournament gained more interest. Getting to New York and the Final Four was the highly cherished prize everyone sought as play began. The only alteration in format was 2021, when the NIT was staged in bubble conditions in Denton and Frisco, Texas.

In 2005, the MIBA initiated an antitrust suit against the NCAA. The claim was forcing teams to accept an NCAA bid, even if they preferred one from the NIT, was an illegal use of NCAA powers. Back in 1970, Al McGuire of Marquette was upset over the region his Marquette team was being sent to in the NCAA Tournament. McGuire spurned the NCAA bid, took an NIT invite and won the tournament. From that time, the NCAA deemed a team must accept its bid. The suit went to trial before the NCAA decided to purchase the NIT for $56.5 million. The NIT has been conducted under the auspices of the NCAA since that time.

In early years, the NIT was THE tournament. In recent decades, the NCAA has fully surpassed it in that regard. Some say the betting scandals of the 1950s hastened the decline in status. Other basketball historians point to Bill Russell and the University of San Francisco’s NCAA titles as a factor, the hypothesis being USF’s championships gave the NCAA an identity as a truly national tournament.

The NIT, though losing its prestige in the eyes of some, never lost the importance. In recent years, it was a proving ground and opportunity for tournament experience for teams a year away from making an NCAA run. It also was a second chance for some. Teams upset over being snubbed Selection Sunday were warned. Those sulking over not being on the board Sunday, were soon eliminated by someone in search of recognition and the hope of getting to the Garden. The NIT gave many teams a second chance.

Xavier epitomized the concept of second chance in this year’s NIT. The Musketeers had been nationally ranked early in the season. Heading into February, they appeared headed to the Big Dance, but stumbled down the stretch. Hoping to get a few wins in the Big East tournament to get back in the NCAA Tournament picture, Xavier lasted one round, an overtime loss to Butler due to poor free throw shooting in the stretch. Xavier accepted the NIT bid.

Following a first-round win over Cleveland State, head coach Travis Steele was let go. Assistant Jonas Hayes took over as an interim head coach. The Musketeers defeated Florida in the next round, but not without a price, losing point guard Paul Scruggs to an ACL injury. They defeated Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals to get to New York, where they outlasted a St. Bonaventure team that had been playing very well. In the championship game, Xavier trailed Texas A&M by eight at halftime. Buzz Williams’ Aggies had the momentum and appeared ready to break the game open. Once again, Xavier fought through the adversity.

In a game featuring 17 ties and 10 lead changes, Xavier took a lead when Jack Nunge banked in a shot inside the paint off an inbounds play with three seconds remaining. Following a timeout, the Aggies pushed the ball upcourt. A last-second, long-range shot by Tyrece Radford circled the rim and popped out, handing Xavier a championship.

“The last two weeks has been the epitome of fighting through adversity,” Hayes said. “Keep fighting forward, keep putting one foot in front of the other. We won the championship. You will never, ever diminish the fact we won a championship.”

Buzz Williams of Texas A&M commended Xavier and Hayes basically summing it all up by adding, “what has happened in their program over the past two weeks is historical and any AD that has a job opening should hire the undefeated head coach at Xavier.”

The historical reference per Williams was so appropriate on this night. History, so much a part of this outstanding tournament. The attendance was listed as 3,551, unfortunate in that many missed an excellent game, an extremely competitive one worthy of a championship game and definitely worthy as a sendoff game for the NIT’s eight-plus-decade residence at MSG.

The NIT moves on. History and tradition do not factor into everyone’s equation these days. Exiting the quiet of Madison Square Garden, there were thoughts of the great games, teams and individuals who graced the Garden floor. Thoughts that the tournament moves on, but not before giving us another classic edition with a multitude of stories to recount. Thoughts that the NIT will remain part of the college landscape. And hopefully, get back to the World’s Most Famous Arena.