The Rise and Uncertain Future of the CIT Basketball Tournament: A Closer Look at the Short-Lived Event That Gave New Meaning to Mid-Major College Basketball
The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, more commonly known as the CIT, burst onto the college basketball scene in 2009 as an exciting new tournament aimed at giving more small-conference and "mid-major" teams a chance to compete after their regular seasons ended. For 11 straight years, the CIT brought together 16-24 teams who were overlooked by the more prestigious NCAA Tournament and NIT and gave them an opportunity to square off in a single-elimination bracket culminating in a championship game. It became a highly anticipated event each March for mid-major programs and their passionate fans. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 CIT event, and the tournament has yet to return over the past three years, leaving its future up in the air.
As a college basketball fan, learning more about the history, format, and significance of the CIT Tournament provides interesting perspective on the changing landscape of postseason play in Division I basketball. Here is an in-depth look at the story of the CIT – where it came from, how it worked, the memorable moments it produced, and why its absence leaves a void in today‘s game.
The CIT Was Created to Give Overlooked Mid-Major Teams a Tournament of Their Own
The brainchild of the CollegeInsider.com website, the CIT was created to provide a postseason destination for successful mid-major Division I basketball teams who were routinely left out of the NCAA Tournament and NIT year after year. These smaller athletic conferences frequently produced teams with impressive 20+ win seasons but failed to get attention from selection committees focused on power programs.
The CIT gave an alternative postseason path for these deserving teams looking to continue playing games and vie for a championship. It matched up 16-24 total teams each March in a standard single-elimination bracket format. Higher seeded teams earned the right to host games on their home courts during the early rounds before neutral sites were used for later rounds and the championship game.
Breaking into the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team from a small conference was a near-impossible task, with mid-major champions only earning automatic bids if they won their conference tournament. The NIT also heavily favored major conference teams. This led to some remarkable seasons from mid-major schools being cut short without a tournament appearance. The CIT changed that by giving standout teams from the Atlantic 10, Southern, Horizon League and other conferences one more chance.
According to former Belmont coach Rick Byrd, “The CIT has provided an unbelievable opportunity for mid-major teams to continue their season in the postseason. Teams that are disappointed on Selection Sunday see the CIT as a viable option to extend their season.”
Inaugural Season Saw Richmond Take Home the First CIT Title
The inaugural CIT in 2009 featured 16 teams and was won by the University of Richmond Spiders after they defeated Bradley University 66-55 in the finals to cap a 24-10 season. Richmond guard Kevin Anderson was named the tournament‘s Most Valuable Player.
The following year, Missouri State claimed the second CIT championship on their home court with a thrilling 78-77 victory over Pacific powered by 21 points from MVP Justin Fuehrmeyer.
Over the history of the tournament from 2009 to 2020, the number of participating teams grew from 16 to 24 in 2020, allowing more schools to get a taste of tournament play. In total, 102 different schools sent teams to the CIT over its 11 years.
Spotlight on the CIT‘s Formats, Statistics, and Memorable Moments
The CIT tournament consisted of four rounds played over the course of two weeks each March leading up to the championship game. The top eight teams earned hosting privileges for the opening round games based on their regular season records and accomplishments. Single-elimination continued for two more rounds until reaching the finals.
Average attendance remained relatively stable during the CIT‘s existence, with around 9,300 passionate fans coming out to home games each year to support their schools. The tournament also carved out a small niche on television and online streaming, with average ratings of 0.14. The championship games drew heightened interest, with peaks at a 0.37 rating for the 2017 and 2018 title matches.
Looking at statistics and records, South Dakota State guard Mike Daum set the CIT single-game scoring record in 2018 when he exploded for 51 points in an opening round win for the Jackrabbits over Eastern Washington. This broke the previous record of 43 points set by TyShawn Edmondson of Austin Peay in the 2014 event.
In 2016, Stony Brook captured one of the most dramatic championships in CIT history, needing overtime to knock off South Carolina Upstate 80-76 to send the Seawolves to the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. Star guard Jameel Warney earned MVP honors by scoring 43 points and dominating in extra time.
Past Champions Represent All Corners of Division I College Basketball
The first-ever CIT championship was captured by the aforementioned Richmond Spiders, who defeated Bradley to take home the 2009 title. The following year, Missouri State finished their tremendous late-season run by cutting down the nets on their home floor.
Over its 11 years, the CIT saw a wide variety of mid-major programs lift the trophy, proving its value in showcasing smaller schools. Other memorable championship teams included East Carolina in 2013, Mercer in 2014, Coastal Carolina in 2015, Citadel in 2016, Stony Brook in 2016, DePaul in 2018, and UIC in 2019.
The final CIT tournament title was earned by the Fresno State Bulldogs, who topped Green Bay in the 2020 championship behind 27 points and 12 rebounds from MVP Orlando Robinson. They hoisted the trophy in front of over 9,000 fans at the Save Mart Center. This last tourney run was a terrific capper for coach Justin Hutson’s first season guiding the program.
All in all, over a decade of the CIT provided a platform for lesser-known teams to go on exciting tournament runs and capture championships that would have otherwise been unattainable. It meant a great deal for the players and coaches.
“It’s a national championship for me,” said Coastal Carolina head coach Cliff Ellis after cutting down the nets in 2015. “It’s a pleasure for me to win a ring.”
Selection Criteria Focused on Overlooked Teams With Strong Seasons
The CIT focused its invitations on Division I teams who showed promise during the regular season but fell short of larger at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament or NIT. Teams needed to finish above .500 to become eligible for selection.
Based on won-lost record, conference tournament performance, strength of schedule, advanced metrics, and other factors, the CIT would extend at-large berths to schools that just missed the cut for the Big Dance.
The selection and invitation process worked similarly to March Madness and the NIT, just on a smaller scale tailored to give neglected mid-major teams one last game. Invitations were offered to deserving schools in the hours after Selection Sunday when the NCAA field was revealed.
“It’s for the team that had higher expectations of the postseason only to be left out of the NCAA Tournament,” said former CIT selection committee chair John McCarthy.
Why the CIT Was Such a Big Deal for Mid-Major Programs and Fans
Ultimately, the value of the CIT Tournament was in providing more opportunities for smaller schools that constantly found themselves on the wrong side of the bubble each March. The NCAA Tournament field of 68 consists primarily of teams from major athletic conferences like the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and Big East.
Mid-major champions only earn automatic bids if they win their conference tournament, and at-large bids are scarce. The NIT also favors power programs. This led to some remarkable seasons from schools like Belmont, Vermont, Weber State and other perpetual bridesmaids being cut short year after year.
The CIT changed that narrative by giving these talented overlooked teams one last chance to shine on a national stage. For mid-major teams and their passionate, loyal fans, this tournament was a highly-anticipated event each season and provided added meaning to their regular season efforts. It was seen as a validation of a strong year.
Even for mid-major teams that fell short of a CIT bid, it provided incentive during the regular season to stack wins in hopes of reaching the coveted 20-win mark and becoming eligible for a magical postseason run.
COVID Cancellation Leaves the Return of CIT Up in the Air
The 2020 CIT tournament was shaping up to be another exciting edition, with a 24-team field preparing to battle for the championship trophy. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of not only March Madness but all remaining college basketball games that year. This left the CIT season hanging in the balance before it could tip-off.
In the three years since the COVID cancellation, the CIT has yet to return and resume operations. The tournament has been on an indefinite hiatus as college basketball gradually comes back from the effects of the pandemic. It remains uncertain if or when the CIT may come back to give more opportunities to deserving mid-major programs hungry for one last dance. For now, the future is unclear for this uncommon postseason tournament that carved out a nice niche for 11 years.
The CIT provided a platform for lesser-known teams and conferences to earn respect on the national stage. Its absence leaves a void in the landscape of Division I college basketball. Here‘s hoping we see the return of the CIT soon to let more mid-major teams have their One Shining Moment.