1968 National Invitation Tournament

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The National Invitation Tournament was originated by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association in 1938. Responsibility for its administration was transferred two years later to local colleges, first known as the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Committee and in 1948, as the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association (MIBA), which comprised representatives from five New York City schools: Fordham University, Manhattan College, New York University, St. John's University, and Wagner College. Originally all of the teams qualifying for the tournament were invited to New York City, and all games were played at Madison Square Garden.

1968 National Invitation Tournament
Season1967–68
Teams16
Finals siteMadison Square Garden
New York City
ChampionsDayton Flyers (2nd title)
Runner-upKansas Jayhawks (1st title game)
Semifinalists
Winning coachDon Donoher (1st title)
MVPDon May (Dayton)
National Invitation Tournaments
«1967 1969»

The tournament originally consisted of only six teams, which later expanded to eight teams in 1941, 12 teams in 1949, 14 teams in 1965, 16 teams in 1968, 24 teams in 1979, 32 teams in 1980, and 40 teams from 2002 through 2006. In 2007, the tournament reverted to the current 32-team format.[1][2]

Perennial power Kansas made its first NIT appearance, losing in the final to Dayton. The Jayhawks returned to the NIT the next season for the last time.

Selected teams

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Below is a list of the 16 teams selected for the tournament.[3]

Team Conference Overall record Appearance Last bid
Army Independent 20–4 5th 1966
Bradley Missouri Valley 19–8 13th 1965
Dayton Independent 17–9 11th 1962
Duke ACC 21–5 2nd 1967
Duquesne Independent 18–6 12th 1964
Fordham Independent 18–7 6th 1965
Kansas Big Eight 19–7 1st Never
Long Island Metro Collegiate 21–1 8th 1950
Marshall MAC 17–7 2nd 1967
Notre Dame Independent 18–8 1st Never
Oklahoma City Independent 20–6 2nd 1959
Saint Peter's Metro Collegiate 22–2 4th 1967
Temple Middle Atlantic 19–8 7th 1966
Villanova Independent 18–8 7th 1967
West Virginia SoCon 19–8 5th 1947
Wyoming WAC 18–8 1st Never

Bracket

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Below is the tournament bracket.[3]

First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
            
Villanova 77
Wyoming 66
Villanova 49
Kansas 55
Kansas 82
Temple 76
Kansas 58
Saint Peter's 46
Saint Peter's 102
Marshall 93
Saint Peter's 100
Duke 71
Duke 97
Oklahoma City 81
Kansas 48
Dayton 61
Dayton 87
West Virginia 68
Dayton 61
Fordham 60
Fordham 69
Duquesne 60
Dayton 76
Notre Dame 74
Notre Dame 62
Army 58
Notre Dame 62
Long Island 60
Long Island 80
Bradley 77
Third place game
   
Saint Peter's 78
Notre Dame 81

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "USATODAY.com - NIT's postseason field cut to 32 teams".
  2. ^ "NIT Tournament Home". NCAA.com.
  3. ^ a b Tournament Results (1960's) at nit.org, URL accessed December 8, 2009. Archived 11/7/09