South Alabama’s NIT Invitation Rescinded After UC Riverside Reversal

The Jaguars' season ends abruptly after a procedural error by the NIT and a late decision change by UC Riverside.

South Alabama was invited to the NIT on Sunday night after UC Riverside initially declined due to a prior commitment to the CBI.
UC Riverside later reversed its decision, withdrawing from the CBI and accepting the NIT bid, leading to South Alabama's invitation being rescinded.
The NIT and Sun Belt Conference issued apologies for the premature invitation, acknowledging the emotional impact on South Alabama's players and coaches.
South Alabama's head coach Richie Riley called the situation 'unacceptable,' and the athletic director criticized the NIT's handling of the process as 'avoidable.'
Despite the controversy, South Alabama finished the season with a 21-11 record and a share of the Sun Belt regular-season championship.