Columbus, Ohio – The first round of the 2024 NIT Tournament delivered an exciting mix of upsets and close finishes on Tuesday. Ohio State managed to fend off a late rally to defeat Cornell 88-83, while North Texas, the reigning NIT champion, pulled off an upset on the road against LSU. Additionally, Boston College secured a road victory over Providence with a final score of 62-57.
Despite a standout performance from Xavier’s Desmond Claude, who scored 30 points, Georgia held on for a 78-76 victory. The Bulldogs built a significant lead of 23 points in the second half, only for the Musketeers to mount a comeback in the closing moments.
In a tense matchup, Minnesota found themselves trailing against Butler by one point with less than five seconds left. Elijah Hawkins stepped up and sank two crucial free throws, ultimately helping his team secure a narrow 73-72 win. Meanwhile, Iowa claimed a home victory by eliminating Kansas State with a final score of 91-82, thanks in part to Payton Sandfort’s 30 points. USF also advanced with a hard-fought 83-77 win over UCF.
Looking ahead, UNLV is set to face off against Princeton, while Indiana State will take on SMU in the upcoming NIT matchups for Wednesday.
As the NIT action unfolds, basketball fans can glance at the bracket to anticipate future matchups and potential upsets. The tournament schedule includes key dates such as the first round from March 19-20, the second round from March 23-24, the quarterfinals on March 26-27, the semifinals on April 2 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and the championship game on April 4, also at Hinkle Fieldhouse, all listed in Eastern Time.
The NIT tournament’s first round results showcased the competitive nature of the event, with Seton Hall, Wake Forest, Indiana State, Villanova, Utah, and Cincinnati, among others, all set to compete further in the second round. Bolstered by strong performances and thrilling games, the 2024 NIT Tournament promises to keep basketball enthusiasts on the edge of their seats as the action continues to unfold.