The NCAA has issued a public apology to South Alabama and head coach Richie Riley after inviting the Jaguars to play in the NIT, then rescinding the offer.
According to the apology, the NCAA invited another team but learned that that team (we believe UC Riverside) had already accepted an invitation to play in another postseason tournament.
At that point, the NCAA invited South Alabama. The other team then chose the NIT over the other event, which led the NCAA to rescind the invitation.
— NIT (@NITMBB) March 17, 2025
A meaningless apology to the most meaningful group of players I’ve ever coached! What they did to us last night is inexcusable! These guys in our locker room don’t deserve this and it’s sad your idea of making it right is a copy and paste apology! https://t.co/NnxXPOYDSX
— Richie Riley (@USAJagsCoachRR) March 17, 2025
It would seem plausible that this situation could have been handled a little better. How about allowing South Alabama and UC Riverside to play a play-in game? How about telling UC Riverside to play in the other event they committed to? How about literally anything else that would be in the best interest of the student athletes?
I’m sure the apology covers it though, especially for the seniors who thought they had at least one more game.
