On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The National Invitational Tournament is in hot water after making a shockingly bad error with its 2025 bracket.
It's very rare that the NIT generates this much attention one day after Selection Sunday, but that's what happens when you screw up this epically. On Sunday night, when the NIT revealed its field after the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, it was announced that South Alabama had accepted a bid. The Jaguars were a surprise in the Sun Belt this season, finishing 21-11 overall and 13-5 in league play.
This afternoon, the NIT admitted an embarrassing mistake. It had invited South Alabama under the assumption that another team--reportedly UC Riverside--was turning down its NIT berth and playing in the CBI.
When Riverside contacted the NIT to say it had changed its mind, the tournament rescinded South Alabama's invitation, apologizing for the move in a statement on social media Monday.
"A meaningless apology to the most meaningful group of players I’ve ever coached! What they did to us last night is inexcusable! These guys in our locker room don’t deserve this and it’s sad your idea of making it right is a copy and paste apology!" South Alabama head coach Richie Riley tweeted in response.
On X/Twitter, fans and media members alike are justifiably crushing the NIT for this decision.
"Terrible. South Alabama players and fans DESERVE a post season after being picked 11th preseason and finishing 1ST PLACE!" said South Alabama alum and former team radio broadcaster Joe McNulty. "@NCAA DO BETTER FOR THESE ATHLETES THAT WORKED HARD TO GET WHERE THEY ARE!!!!"
"The comments being turned off should give a sign about how poorly this was handled," added WHAS11's Alyssa Newton.
"How about — South Alabama vs. UC Riverside, winner gets the bid," another USA alum suggested.
"Why does this tournament still exist?" a fourth person asked.
"The @NITMBB is not a serious competition. Completely half-assed tournament that doesn’t do its homework," a fifth person said.
It seems mind-boggling that the NIT committee wouldn't either hold the spot for Riverside until it made a final decision or turn Riverside down when it tried to come back and play in the tournament, since South Alabama had already RSVP'd yes.
Anyway, you have to feel awful for the South Alabama players, coaches and staff members. They had the rug pulled out from under them.
It's inexcusable on the NIT's part.
More must-reads:
- Phillies' Kyle Schwarber inches closer to franchise history vs. Yankees
- Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Former Cowboys Star Crushes Speculation Linking Arch Manning and Nick Saban to Cleveland
ACC commissioner reveals strong stance with FSU football
Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips recently spoke at the ACC Kickoff and discussed the dynamic with Florida State and Clemson after they settled their lawsuits against the league last month. “Maybe everybody doesn’t get exactly what you want, but you get to a place that’s for the greater good, and that’s where I felt it was different,” Commissioner Phillips said. “I know what the Florida State and Clemson people were saying, and they said it to the entire group, about their desire to be in the ACC and all the rest of that. I believe them, I really do. I have a responsibility to make sure that our ACC schools want to be in this league. Not just have to be in this league. I think that’s important." Phillips continued, mentioning that the league is "situated nicely right now" despite two of its biggest brands (and maybe more) possibly leaving the conference in the next half-decade. “You talk about viewership and success on how to distribute dollars. You talk about coming back off of the most revenue we’ve ever distributed. 29 national championships," Phillips said. "The sport of football is getting better, and we want to take another step this year." "The league is situated nicely right now. Difficult, bumpy, challenging — but let’s not let a lazy narrative, from the standpoint of not people not moving on and understanding kind of where we’re going. I feel like the league has earned that. Nobody gave that to us," Phillips added. Finally, Commissioner Phillips shared his belief that the league is set up for the next 10 years with the TV contract they have with ESPN. “We were steady. You didn’t see us at all move this way or that way. People said a lot of things about the league, but at the end of the day, that’s what we’re at," Phillips said. "Also, our partnership with ESPN. which everybody said was not going to happen through 2035-36, which gives us a platform for the ACC for the next decade." There appears to be more conference realignment on the horizon. How it will affect the ACC and FSU is yet to be seen. The Seminoles will open their season against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET in Tallahassee.
Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade
The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.
Why Yankees' trade for All-Star 3B is disappointing
The New York Yankees’ first move ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline falls a bit flat. They traded two prospects most fans have never heard of to acquire Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, a lackluster move that indicates New York is throwing in the towel on the 2025 season. McMahon is an upgrade — but only a slight one. Yankees GM Brian Cashman replaced a .147 hitter in Oswald Peraza with a .217 hitter in McMahon, who also happens to lead the National League in strikeouts (127). But really, New York just added another Anthony Volpe — one of the biggest problems in the Bombers’ lineup — to the left side of their infield. The two infielders’ 2025 stats tell virtually the same sad tale: McMahon: .217/.314/.403, 16 home runs Volpe: .214/.286/.400, 13 home runs The Yankees should have risked a top prospect or two for Arizona Diamondbacks power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A 2026 free agent, Suarez is a rental, but with his .252/.325/.593 slash line, 33 home runs and MLB-leading 86 RBI, he’d be a huge upgrade at third base, rather than a slight one. Instead, the Yankees opted for a player who they’ll have control over until 2028 and cost them almost nothing to acquire. Apparently, they believe McMahon will prove valuable in the long run, based on his advanced analytics. After all, he’s been crushing the ball in 2025, averaging a 94 mph exit velocity. However, his ability to hit the ball hard doesn’t mean he’s just been unlucky this year, as his xBA is just .232 — not too far below his .240 career actual batting average. Compare that to another guy who’s known for hitting the ball hard in Yankees first baseman Ben Rice, who is hitting just .232 but has an xBA of .289. It doesn’t matter how hard McMahon hits the ball if he tends to hit it directly at a fielder. There’s still a week until the trade deadline, but don’t expect the Yankees to make any truly splashy moves. Suarez was the better choice to fix New York’s third base issues, and their pivot to McMahon was disappointing.
Two Teams Linked to a Trade with Bruins for Pavel Zacha
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
