The NIT (which does not actually stand for Not In Tournament) has played second fiddle to March Madness for years now. I don’t recall anyone looking for a third fiddle. But we have one anyway courtesy of the Gazelle Group, the same people behind the Coaches vs. Cancer event and the CBE Classic.

The College Basketball Invitational, born just last month, will be a 16-team single elimination tournament. Only teams that don’t go to the big dance will be invited; those who fall off the bubble may find themselves with a choice of postseason tourneys come March.

More games means more opportunities for handicappers – 133 teams will be in one tournament or other. But is there any demand for it when the NIT is a mere blip on the betting radar? “I just don’t know if there’s a market for a third tournament,” Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese told the Associated Press, “but this is the land of opportunity.”