All regular-season conference champions not in the NCAA tournament field will be guaranteed a berth in the National Invitation Tournament, and teams no longer have to have .500 records to be selected for the NIT's 40-team field.
The changes were announced Thursday, less than a month before the NIT selection committee meets to select the field for the first time since the tournament was purchased by the NCAA.
The committee is comprised of former Division I coaches, including Naismith Memorial Hall of Famers Dean Smith and Chairman C.M. Newton. The other members are Don DeVoe, Reggie Minton, Jack Powers and Carroll Williams.
In the past, a team had to win at least half its games to be chosen for the NIT.
The regular-season champions of the 31 Division I conferences not in the NCAA's field of 65 will be invited.
"The committee was unanimous in its view on this matter," Newton said. "It formalizes what postseason basketball should be -- a reward for success throughout the regular season."
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