Texas A&M, Xavier to meet in 2022 NIT Final

The Texas A&M Aggies and Xavier Musketeers will play for the top consolation prize in college basketball when they meet in the final of the 2022 National Invitational Tournament.

Xavier earned its spot with an 84-77 win over St. Bonaventure on Tuesday that was followed by Texas A&M beating Washington State, 72-56.

The NIT is a 32-team single-elimination tournament that invites teams that didn't secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Xavier won the tournament in 1958 while Texas A&M didn't advance past the quarterfinals in its seven other NIT appearances.

Texas A&M nearly made the NCAA Tournament after a surprisingly strong run in the 2022 SEC Tournament. Despite finishing eighth in the regular season standings, the Aggies upset top-seeded Auburn as well as the Arkansas Razorbacks before losing in the tournament final against Tennessee.

Xavier's conference tournament showing wasn't as strong with a first round exit from the 2022 Big East Tournament.

Tip between the Aggies and Musketeers is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.