Pitt declines NIT invite after missing out on NCAA tournament bid

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Pitt Panthers men's basketball team has not qualified for the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament and has subsequently declined an invitation to the 2024 National Invitation Tournament.

In a statement to social media Sunday night, head coach Jeff Capel congratulated his student-athletes on the 2024 campaign.

"I am incredibly proud of the performance, development, and fight of our team," said Capel. "We ultimately fell short of our goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament, despite ranking favorably in the computers, performing well in conference play with a fourth-place finish and an ACC Tournament Semifinal appearance, and playing our best basketball over the last eight weeks of the season. We made the decision to decline an NIT invitation as a team and with the support of our Athletic Department leadership. It was a difficult choice, but ultimately what is best for our student-athletes."

Pitt entered Selection Sunday with a 22-11 overall record and a 12-8 record in ACC play. They ranked 40th in NET rankings and Pomeroy ratings with four Quadrant 1 victories.

Colorado, Boise State, Virginia and Colorado State were the last four teams to clinch a berth in the 68-team field.

In:
• NCAA Tournament
• NCAA College Sports
• University of Pittsburgh
• NCAA