National Invitation Tournament (NIT)

Years before the three-point line and bracketology—or what we know now as March Madness—even existed, the National Invitation Tournament was the crown jewel of postseason college basketball. Today, with more parity in NCAA Division I hoops than ever before, the NIT remains fiercely competitive. Once the lights turn on in Madison Square Garden for the last two rounds, the players know they’re in the sport’s most hallowed gym.