The NCAA has some serious explaining to do after an embarrassing mistake involving the University of South Alabama Men's Basketball team.

South Alabama coach Richie Riley explained the situation to AL.com, too. Riley said the Jaguars were offered a spot for NIT on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. South Alabama ended up getting the invite because UC Riverside, who had received the invite first, had to decline to play in the College Basketball Invitation.

In need of a team to take UC Riverside’s spot, South Alabama was brought in, but the Highlanders were able to get out of their CBI obligation and were available for the NIT. Because of that, the NCAA had to make a second call about an hour later to the Jaguars to inform them they were no longer invited.

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National Invitation Tournament (NIT) bracket was revealed on Sunday night (March 16). Here is the full 32-eam field and first round matchups for the 2025 NIT. See the full schedule of first round matchups for the 2025 National Invitation Tournament,

The NCAA Tournament remains the pinnacle, and every team fights all year to earn a bid. There were 68 teams who heard their name on Sunday’s selection show, and all of them celebrated their inclusion in March Madness. Those who did not have a decision to make.