CIT

The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) is an American men's college basketball postseason tournament founded by CollegeInsider.com. The tournament is oriented toward teams that did not get selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or National Invitation Tournament (NIT) that reside outside of the "major conferences". CollegeInsider.com originally defined majors as the Power Five conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big XII Conference, Pac-12 Conference, Southeastern Conference), American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Big East Conference, Conference USA and Mountain West Conference. They no longer consider Conference USA to be a major conference and now include teams from that conference in their mid-major rankings.

The tournament was first contested in 2009. In 2012, it expanded to 32 participating teams, but contracted to 26 teams for the 2016, 2017, and 2019 editions, and 20 teams in 2018. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the tournament was re-launched and rebranded as The Basketball Classic. While neither The Basketball Classic nor the CIT were contested in 2023, CollegeInsider.com announced in early March that the CIT will be revived in a 16-team pod-based format for the 2023–24 postseason. Ultimately, only nine teams agreed to play in the 2024 edition.

In February 2025, CollegeInsider.com announced a 2025 edition of the CIT would be contested between March 18 and 25. However, no participating teams were ever announced, and the schedule that had previously appeared on the website was rendered blank.

The College Insider Tournament (CIT) is an annual postseason college basketball tournament in the United States, designed to provide an opportunity for teams that may not qualify for the NCAA Tournament or the NIT to showcase their talent on a national stage. Established in 2009, the CIT features a field of teams from various conferences, emphasizing the importance of competitive play and the development of student-athletes.

The tournament typically takes place in March and April, following the conclusion of the regular college basketball season. It employs a single-elimination format, allowing teams to compete for the championship in a series of exciting matchups. The CIT is known for its emphasis on sportsmanship and the growth of basketball programs, often highlighting emerging teams and players who may not receive the spotlight in larger tournaments.

With games hosted at the campuses of participating teams, the CIT fosters a strong sense of community and school spirit, as fans rally behind their teams in pursuit of postseason glory. The tournament not only provides thrilling basketball action but also serves as a platform for players to gain exposure and experience, making it a vital part of the college basketball landscape.