Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Mid-Major fans and fans across the country.
We know the men’s college basketball season will end in Detroit, with the Final Four held there for the first time since 2009.
However, the location for the men’s NIT has yet to be announced. So that led us to ask the question: where should the NIT semifinals and championship be played?
The options are the following: Hinkle Fieldhouse, The Palestra, Madison Square Garden, The Pit, Las Vegas, Detroit.
Hinkle Fieldhouse
Hinkle hosted the NIT final in 2024 and 2025 and is one of the most historic venues in college basketball. Forget that; basketball in general. See Hoosiers. Butler’s home arena hosted the semifinals this past season and the championship was at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers.
The Palestra
Talking about historic college basketball venues? Look no further than “The Cathedral of College Basketball.” The home of the Penn Quakers is on the bucket list of many college sports fans. Plus, you have so many potential teams within a short drive of the historic Philadelphia arena.
Madison Square Garden
MSG had to be on the list. It’s where the NIT finals called home for so many years until its run came to a close in 2022. While it doesn’t seem likely that the NIT would go back there, it just feels right to have “The World’s Most Famous Arena” on the list.
The Pit
The Pit was almost awarded the second opening-round site for the new 76-team NCAA Tournament, but that honor went to Wichita, Kansas. What better consolation prize than the culmination of the NIT? For crying out loud, the Albuquerque arena hosted the 1983 Final Four.
Las Vegas
Vegas was the one of the first locations of the NIT finals after it moved away from MSG as North Texas beat UAB in an all-American Conference final in 2023. It also seems as though everything is going to Vegas. Have the NIT and the Crown together on the Strip? Seems like a possibility.
Detroit
Last season, the NCAA Tournament Final Four, the NIT semifinals and the NIT championship were in Indianapolis. If that trend continues, the NIT is headed to Motown. Would love to see the tournament culminate at Calihan Hall on the campus of Detroit Mercy, but a more likely option would be the Detroit Pistons’ home, Little Caesars Arena. Do I hear “Pizza! Pizza!”?