National Commissioners Invitational Tournament
From Hoopedia
The National Commissioners Invitational Tournament was an eight-team postseason NCAA Division I men's tournament run by the NCAA. It was introduced in 1974 as the Collegiate Commissioners Association Tournament. It was created because the NCAA sought to get rid of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
Indiana won the 1974 tournament over USC, 85-60. 1974 was the last year in which only conference champions and a handful of Independent schools were allowed to participate in the NCAA Division I Men's Tournament. Consequently, the Commissioners' Tournament consisted of the runners-up in the eight major conference.
The 1975 NCAA Tournament was expanded to include at-large teams. In 1975 Drake won the Commissioners' Tournament over Arizona, 83-76.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | MVP | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Indiana Hoosiers | 85 | USC Trojans | 60 | Kent Benson (Indiana) | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1975 | Drake Bulldogs | 83 | Arizona Wildcats | 76 | Bob Elliott (Arizona) | Louisville, Kentucky |
