Updated March 15, 2026, 9:52 a.m. MT
Does the season continue?
The Colorado State men’s basketball team knows it won’t be picked for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, but the Rams have said they want to keep playing.
That chance would most likely come via NIT. Here’s what to know about the NIT selection process and timing and if the Rams might be in.
How is the NIT bracket selected?
The 32-team tournament is by invite from a committee.
Sixteen “exempt” teams make up half of the field. Four spots are taken up by top teams from the ACC and SEC not selected for the NCAA tournament field, while the remaining 12 “exempt” spots go to the top team in the top 12 conferences, based on the KenPom Rankings.
The remaining 16 spots are automatic bids for conference regular season champions that have a “KNIT” score of 125 or better and at-large teams of the best available teams that did not make it into the tournament.
All that said, there are other factors, too. Some teams in recent years have opted out of non-NCAA Tournament postseason invites. Belmont, for instance, has said it will not take part this year.
CSU coach Ali Farokhmanesh and players have said the Rams want to continue playing, if possible.
When is the NIT bracket announced?
The 32-team field will be announced at 7:30 p.m. Mountain March 15, according to the NIT’s social media channels.
There is no TV selection show, but the selections will be announced on the NIT’s social media pages.
Will Colorado State be in the NIT?
CSU is No. 86 in KenPom. The Rams are seventh in the MW in KenPom, so there could be some competition from within the league for NIT spots.
A bracketology projection from DRatings has CSU as a “last four in” to the NIT.
In addition to several MW teams in NIT contention, rival Colorado is as well. Niko Medved-led Minnesota could be in the mix, too.
If CSU does make it in the NIT, it will come quickly. First-round games begin March 17.
In addition to the NIT, there is an eight-team College Basketball Crown tournament held in early April in Las Vegas.
Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.
