NIT 2024 Opt-out tracker: List of College basketball teams not playing in NIT

The March Madness bracket is set and several teams were not selected to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

For teams that didn't make the NCAA Tournament, they could play in the NIT, which used to be thought of as a chance for further development.

However, over the last couple of years, teams have been opting out of the tournament, which has also been the case this season.

NIT 2024 Opt-out tracker

Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Panthers were considered one of the more popular snubs for March Madness and the school has decided to opt out of the NIT.

"We made the decision to decline an NIT invitation as a team and with the support of our University leadership. It was a difficult choice, but ultimately what is best for our student-athletes," head coach Jeff Capel said in a statement.

The Panthers went 22-12 this season.

St. John's

St. John's also opted-out of the NIT tournament following the school not making March Madness.

St. John's was a school many thought would make the tournament. After the disappointing news, head coach Rick Pitino said his team wouldn't be playing in the NIT.

"After thorough consideration of all that goes into postseason participation, we believe at this time it is best for our team and basketball program to prepare for next season," Pitino said in a statement.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma won't play in the NIT

Oklahoma decided to opt out of the NIT tournament after the Sooners were left out of March Madness.

Oklahoma was a top 10 team in the nation in January but ended the regular season going 2-5. Following the Sooners not making March Madness, Oklahoma decided to opt-out of the NIT.

Memphis

Memphis also decided to not play in the NIT after the Tigers failed to make the NCAA Tournament.

Memphis went 22-10 this season but was eliminated by the Wichita State Shockers in the AAC Tournament.

Ole Miss

Ole Miss went 20-12 this season but it still wasn't enough for the Rebels to make the NCAA Tournament.

Ole Miss was a bubble team and after being left out, the Rebels revealed they wouldn't be participating in the NIT.

Indiana

The Indiana Hoosiers opted out of the NIT after they failed to make the NCAA Tournament.

Indiana went 19-15 and their blowout los to Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament likely sealed their fate of not making the tourney.

Syracuse

The Syracuse Orange were a bit of a surprise to not make the tournament as they went 20-12 this season.

Syracuse was beaten by NC State in the ACC Tournament, but the Orange still had a good record, but it wasn't enough for them to make the NCAA Tourney. With that, Syracuse won't be playing in the NIT

USC

While the Trojans finished their season with a loss against then-No.1 Arizona in the Pac-12 tournament, they had another chance at redemption with an invite to the NIT. However, USC declined the invite putting an end to their 2023-24 season.

USC finishes under .500 with a 15-18 record, with Boogie Ellis, and Isaiah Collier leading the team in points. The team was in the spotlight for a better part of the season, thanks to freshman guard Bronny James.

Washington

Another Pac-12 team to decline an invite to the post-season invitational, the Huskies made the decision amid HC Mike Hopkins' dismissal. The team will now focus on its head coaching search, with Utah State's Danny Sprinkle being an early candidate, per reports.

Arizona State

Next on the list are the Sun Devils, another team that reportedly declined an NIT invite following a .500 season. Arizona State finished their season with a 14-18 record, with a first-round Pac-12 tournament loss against Utah.

How many teams play in the NIT

Thirty-two teams will play in the NIT Tournament, which begins on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Some of the notable schools participating in the NIT are Seton Hall, Indiana State, Villanova and Wake Forest.

On the other hand, schools not participating in the NIT have become more frequent, as the players don't want to risk injury ahead of turning pro or next season. However, former college coach Tom Crean scolded teams for opting out of the NIT tournament.

"Give your players and coaches a chance to keep coaching and playing, if a guy doesn’t want to play, go sit down. If a coach doesn’t want to coach, go recruit. But there’s got to be enough people to put five, six, seven people on the floor and go play. It makes absolutely zero sense," Crean said on ESPN.

The NIT championship game is set for April 4.