South Alabama’s men’s basketball team has secured a spot in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), according to an announcement from the NCAA. The team’s inclusion comes after an agreement was made between the NIT Board of Managers and South Alabama, following last year’s selection process that left the Jaguars out of the tournament.
Under this agreement, South Alabama needed to achieve certain regular-season performance benchmarks during the 2025-26 season. The Jaguars met these requirements with a 21–10 overall record and an 11–7 record in Sun Belt Conference play, finishing tied for second place in their league.
The team will find out its first-round opponent and game location when the NIT bracket is released after Selection Sunday on March 15.
Head Coach Richie Riley commented, “It’s an honor for our team to be invited to play in the NIT. This group has battled adversity all season and is truly deserving of this opportunity. I’m thankful that I’m going to get to coach these guys for a little longer.”
For more information about South Alabama men’s basketball, updates can be found on social media at @SouthAlabamaMBB on X and Instagram, /SouthAlabamaJaguars on Facebook, or at USAJaguars.com.
