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The National Invitational Tournament (NIT) used to be college basketball's championship, but after the introduction of the NCAA Tournament it has morphed into a sort of consolation bracket for teams left out of the 68-team field. The 2015 NIT Selection Show will take place at 7:30pm CT on Sunday night on ESPNU. In total, 32 teams will named to the this year's field.
It's a little-known fact that teams get an automatic bid to the NIT if they win a regular season conference title. As a result, several upper tier mid-major programs make the field every year after being upset during conference tournament season. The NIT certainly has a negative connotation that goes along with it, and rightfully so, but it's still an opportunity for young teams to get some postseason experience.
Most people like to print out regular NCAA Tournament brackets, but Illinois fans aren't most people. Here's a blank, printable bracket that you can fill out before, during, or after the Selection Show. Click here for a printable NCAA Tournament bracket.
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