The NCAA Tournament field was announced on Selection Sunday, and just four Pac-12 schools made the Big Dance. It would’ve been less if it weren’t for Oregon’s stunning run in the conference tournament.
Surprisingly to some, a lot of programs said no thank you to participating in the NIT this postseason, and it has sparked quite a conversation around the sport.
The NIT still got some big names in the tournament, including Indiana State, Kansas State, UNLV, Utah, and Seton Hall, among others.
Here is a list of schools that did not accept an invite to the NIT, including seven Pac-12 programs.
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley argues a technical foul call with an official during the second half against UCLA at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Jan. 17, 2024.
Arizona State even being asked is a bit of a surprise, but there are other teams worse than the Sun Devils that turned down a bid.
CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
Mar 7, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; California Golden Bears guard Jaylon Tyson (20) shoots the basketball during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavillion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Cal went 13-18 and 9-11 in the first year under new head coach Mark Madsen. The Golden Bears are headed to the ACC next season, and maybe they just wanted to get ahead of the transfer portal wave. Who knows.
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
Mar 2, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State went 17-16 and 10-10 in ACC play but chose not to head for the NIT.
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Hoosiers are stuck with Mike Woodson’s huge buyout, and after a 19-14 campaign, it remains to be seen what the program does next.
MARYLAND TERRAPINS
Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Jordan Geronimo (22) reacts during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Maryland had a losing record at 16-17 and went 7-13 in Big Ten play. Yet, they also didn’t decide to play in the NIT.
MEMPHIS TIGERS
Memphis’ head coach Penny Hardaway yells to a player during the game between University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Memphis at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Memphis had all kinds of issues off the court this year, and Penny Hardaway’s team likely just wanted to forget and move on.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Mar 5, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Otega Oweh (3) reacts after a play abasing the Cincinnati Bearcats during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
The Sooners won 20 games and finished 9th in the Big 12 but also chose not to play.
OLE MISS REBELS
Feb 24, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Jaemyn Brakefield (4) reacts with guard TJ Caldwell (2) during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Ole Miss won 20 games but finished 10th in SEC play and elected not to join the NIT field.
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
Mar 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Dexter Akanno (4) shoots the ball against UCLA Bruins forward Adem Bona (3) and guard Will McClendon (4) in the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon State won 13 games and finished in dead last in the Pac-12. Them even getting an invite is surprising.
PITT PANTHERS
Mar 15, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Jaland Lowe (15) and Panthers forward Guillermo Diaz Graham (25) react after their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Pitt was another bubble team with a 22-11 record but they also decided not to play in the NIT.
ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES
Mar 16, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; The St. Bonaventure Bonnies bench watches the game in the second half against the Duquesne Dukes at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
St. Bonaventure also won 20 games but lost nine during A-10 play. Their not playing was a bit of a surprise, and the President of the university delivered a statement on that on Tuesday:
ST. JOHN'S RED STORM
Feb 13, 2024; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; St. John’s Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) speaks to head coach Rick Pitino during the second half against the Providence Friars at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Pitino’s team was arguably one of the biggest snubs from the Field of 68. Pitino should be in the field next year for the Big Dance.
STANFORD CARDINAL
Mar 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Brandon Angel (23) celebrates after a three-point basket against the California Golden Bears in the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford is most likely in the same boat as Washington: They wanted to get in front of their coaching search, and they did by hiring Washington State’s Kyle Smith.
SYRACUSE ORANGE
Feb 17, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Quadir Copeland (24) reacts after a foul against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Orange finished 6th in the ACC and won 20 games. But, the NIT isn’t their cup of tea.
UCLA BRUINS
Mar 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin walks off the court after the Oregon Ducks defeated the Bruins 68-66 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA needed a ton of help and a stunning run to make the Big Dance. It’s not a surprise they turned down the NIT.
USC TROJANS
Mar 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) returns to the bench in a game against the Washington Huskies during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The Trojans would’ve been a fun team in the NIT with Isaiah Collier and Bronny James.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Feb 24, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Mike Hopkins and Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd shake hands after a Arizona Wildcats 91-75 victory over the Washington Huskies at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Washington most likely just wanted to get a head start on its coaching search, and they hired Utah State’s Danny Sprinkle shortly after.
