RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The UC Riverside men's basketball team has officially accepted an invitation to the 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), marking the program's first-ever appearance in the historic postseason tournament. 

Prior to UCR being selected for the NIT, it was announced earlier that the team would be competing in the 2025 Purple College Basketball Invitational Tournament (CBI), which the Highlanders were extremely excited about. However, UCR will officially compete in this year's 2025 NIT and face Santa Clara on Tuesday, March 18. 

Athletics Director, Wesley Mallette, said, "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to extend what has been a special season by competing in this year's NIT. As we continue to build our program at UCR, garnering the attention of tournament committees is an honor and to receive multiple postseason invitations is indicative of our program's growth. This is an exciting time and a testament to head coach Mike Magpayo's leadership and the hard work and talent of our student-athletes, coaches and staff."

UC Riverside (21-12, 14-6 Big West) secured its spot in the NIT, a 32-team single-elimination tournament, after a strong season that included its second 20-win campaign in the last three years under head coach Mike Magpayo.

The Highlanders will open NIT play on Tuesday, March 18, at Santa Clara, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

Santa Clara enters the matchup after a 20-12 overall record and a WCC conference record of 12-6 while UC Riverside looks to extend its postseason run.

The first three rounds of the NIT will be held at campus sites, with higher-seeded teams hosting games. The semifinals and championship game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 1 and April 3. The entire tournament will be broadcast across the ESPN family of networks.

For more information, please click here for the UCR Highlanders schedule.