Once considered the premiere post-season tournament of college basketball while being held annually at Madison Square Garden, the NCAA's desperate attempt to lower costs and raise revenue continues to diminish the importance and interest in the NIT, as the NCAA announced the tournament will hold its semifinals and championship at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse for the second straight year in 2025.

The 2025 semifinals will take place April 1, with the championship following two days later.

The NIT will continue to feature a 32-team field, with the first three rounds played at campus sites.

The 2024 NIT semifinals and title game at Hinkle were sellouts with more than 9,000 in attendance.

The NIT also has added former St. Joseph's men's basketball coach Phil Martelli and Conference USA associate commissioner for basketball Clifton Douglass to its committee that selects the field.

Fans will definitely be excited to see all the sites and history around .... Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, just like they did at Madison Square Garden in New York City. But the reality is, as the NCAA gives more Tournament bids to the SEC and Big Ten each year, fans of schools in other leagues will have to get used to watching the NIT more. It's a shame the NCAA has started to treat the NIT like an afterthought. The next question is, why shouldn't the fans?