NIT bracket 2021: TV schedule, tipoff times, live stream for every game

With the announcement of the National Invitational Tournament teams on Sunday, the entire NCAA postseason has been set.

The NIT in 2021 will see more than a few changes as the NCAA — not to mention local and state health agencies — try to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While not ideal, changes to the NIT are preferable to NIT at all.

The 2021 participants likely would have preferred their respective seasons to end with a dose of March Madness — that is true for several notable NCAA Tournament snubs — but the National Invitational Tournament could serve as a jumping-off point for teams looking to make the next step in 2021-22. Conversely, it could be a final chance at glory as players graduate or take their talents to the next level.

MORE: Watch NIT games live on fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Whatever the scenario, any basketball in March is worth watching. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the NIT in 2021 — including dates, times, TV and streaming options and site information:

NIT live bracket: How to watch, stream

The NIT in 2021 will be broadcast either on ESPN or ESPN2; streaming options include ESPN.com or fuboTV, which offers a seven-day free trial.

NIT schedule 2021

The NIT in 2021 will not only have its field of teams cut in half, but also take place entirely in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — a necessary change as the NCAA tries to stymie the potential spread of COVID-19. (In previous years, the NIT featured campus games through the first three rounds, followed by games in Madison Square Garden for both the semifinal and championship rounds).

Conference USA and North Texas will host the competition this year, with the Comerica Center (Frisco, Texas) and UNT Stadium (Denton, Texas) serving as tournament sites. The NCAA is finalizing round-by-round details.

Below is a rundown of the sites and locations of the NIT:

2021 NIT matchups

The NIT has yet to announce its the dates of times of its games, but it has released the matchups for the first round:

Upper left bracket first round:

• No. 1 Colorado State (18-6) vs. No. 4 Buffalo (16-8)
• No. 2 Davidson (13-8) vs. No. 3 N.C. State (13-10)

Lower left bracket first round:

• No. 1 Memphis (16-8) vs. No. 4 Dayton (14-9)
• No. 2 Boise State (18-8) vs. No. 3 SMU (11-5)

Upper right bracket first round:

• No. 1 Saint Louis (14-6) vs. No. 4 Mississippi State (15-14)
• No. 2 Richmond (13-8) vs. No. 3 Toledo (21-8)

Lower right bracket first round:

• No. 1 Ole Miss (16-11) vs. No. 4 Louisiana Tech (21-7)
• No. 2 Saint Mary’s (14-9) vs. No. 3 Western Kentucky (20-7)

2021 NIT schedule, scores

The NIT will start with the first round, which takes place over four days from March 17-20. Each ensuing round will take place over the course of a day, concluding with the third-place and championship games on March 28.

Below is the full schedule:

Round 1 (March 17-20)

Winners in bold.

Quarterfinals (March 25)

Semifinals (March 27)

Third-place game (March 28)

NIT championship (March 28)