South Alabama coach Richie Riley explained the situation to AL.com, too. Riley said the Jaguars were offered a spot for NIT on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. South Alabama ended up getting the invite because UC Riverside, who had received the invite first, had to decline to play in the College Basketball Invitation.

The NIT released a statement but turned off the comments on social media. It didn't matter. People were furious.

In need of a team to take UC Riverside’s spot, South Alabama was brought in, but the Highlanders were able to get out of their CBI obligation and were available for the NIT. Because of that, the NCAA had to make a second call about an hour later to the Jaguars to inform them they were no longer invited.

Madness picks, predictions, odds for Alabama State vs Saint Francis first-round South Region game on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

The 2025 NCAA Tournament officially tips off on Tuesday night when the St. Francis (PA) Red Flash and the Alabama State Hornets square off in the 16-seed play-in game of the south region. Whichever team wins this game will advance to take on the No.