At the time, the National Invitation Tournament, held annually at Madison Square Garden, was the St.

WSJ: Why La Salle Basketball Matters

The Wildcats, preseason No. 3, had themselves been pitched from the lowly National Invitation Tournament by a lowly school called Robert Morris.

WSJ: Kentucky Basketball's New Death Star

Kentucky was hoping the committee would overlook a dismal performance in the Southeastern Conference tournament, but the Wildcats will have to settle for a spot in the second-tier National Invitation Tournament.

NPR: Louisville Top Overall Seed In NCAA Tournament

During the 1955-56 season, Dayton spent seven tantalizing weeks at No. 2 before losing to Louisville in the final of the National Invitation Tournament at a time when it rivaled the NCAA tournament.

WSJ: And the No. 1 Ranking Goes to��Gonzaga?