The value of a game in the National Invitation Tournament depends on which perspective you take.
Coaches see it as an opportunity to get more competition and build into the offseason. Players have another chance to get on the court with their teammates and chase a championship.
But in pure dollar value, an NIT game this season is worth $5,220 per side.
Both the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team and Bradley will get that amount for playing Tuesday night's first-round game at the Kohl Center. The Badgers can take home more for hosting, but that amount so far is undetermined, according to UW and NCAA spokespeople.
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The total payout for participation in the 2023 NIT is $334,080. Teams get a unit of $5,220 for each round they reach, and the semifinalists all get an extra unit.
The payouts are:
• $5,220 to the 16 teams that lose in the first round.
• $10,440 to the eight teams that lose in the second round.
• $15,660 to the four teams that lose in the quarterfinals.
• $26,100 to the four teams that qualify for the semifinals in Las Vegas.
The NCAA, which runs the NIT, uses a similar unit system for the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but the values aren't comparable. Each unit for the 2022 NCAA Tournament was worth $338,887 paid to the team's conference each year for six years.
The Badgers are playing in the NIT for the fifth time and first since 1996, before construction was finished on the Kohl Center. All seven games UW has played in the tournament have been at the Field House.
Tickets for Tuesday's game cost $25 for 100-level seats, $20 for those in the 200 and 300 levels and $10 for students.
An NCAA spokesperson said there's no minimum financial guarantee required for NIT host schools. There's a system where hosts guarantee a percentage of game revenue based on the budget submitted.
UW's ticket and concessions revenue gets offset by costs for staffing the Kohl Center. Those dollar figures aren't known until after the event, a UW spokesperson said, so the school's revenue and how much goes to the NCAA isn't set.
Badgers NIT games in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1996 averaged an announced attendance of 10,268 at the Field House, but those games were in an era when postseason play was less frequent for UW.
Fans find fault with Wisconsin men's basketball's effort in loss to Ohio State
Some defense
I am still going to defend Gard. Yes they did not show up for this game. But I think he's earned a little bit of rope. Season as a whole was ... competitive, but this team has an uncanny knack of losing close games
— Ken Chia, some guy online (@kcchia80) March 9, 2023
Tipping point
Nobody has defended Greg Gard throughout his tenure than I have. Through the bad losses, I always backed him. In a must win game to have any hope of a NCAA Tournament bid, the team came out flat as a pancake. I can’t support Greg Gard anymore. This is inexcusable!
— Jeff Ostach☮️ (@jeff_ostach) March 9, 2023
Unworthy of NCAAs
If they still make the NCAA it likely means a more deserving team doesn’t, so I hope they don’t TBH. They didn’t earn it, and don’t deserve it. Gard is probably safe for now, but AD has shown he won’t hesitate to make needed changes. Next year make or break.
— Russ Evansen (@waunaruss) March 9, 2023
Fought to the end
They fought and fought hard. They could have rolled over and died, but they didn’t. Respect.
— Tejón Más 🦡 (@JoRy_MaMa) March 9, 2023
Need some bounce
Team lacks athletic ability so bad. No one can go one on one and win (johnny was that guy). Team needs guys with wiggle bad. Chucky needs to get quicker in the off-season cuz he can't get past anyone off the dribble.
— Jake Manser (@jake_manser) March 9, 2023
Bus incoming
U will never take away this team’s energy & desire 2 succeed esp in the 2nd 1/2’s this season. Think that the Gus Buss will help turn things around next season, and, if Tyler is back plus the experience we gained, all helps. The chip 🪓still there. Don’t ever give up by Jimmy V.
— Paul Yochum'63 (@PaulYochum63) March 9, 2023
4 on 5 at times
The inside guys (Crowl, Wahl, Gilmore) NEED to develop an outside or at least mid-range game. They were left wide open constantly and were no threat to score. That would be a huge difference-maker for next year.
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) March 9, 2023
Season summed up
I will give them credit for battling back but still missed crucial baskets at the end that would have won the game or at least got it to OT. They needed to play with urgency the whole game! Story of this season.
— Mary Korn Erickson (@sixtiesfan) March 9, 2023
Inexcusable start
Zero sense of urgency out of the gate is baffling in a must win game. On a team without a lot of athleticism and very limited offense, it’s unacceptable to not be ready mentally.
— A Brewer Forever (@finleyr27) March 9, 2023
A high and a low
Never want to see those 1st half Badgers ever again. Woof. But man there was a point they could have quit and didn't.
— Laura (@DieselAndMe) March 9, 2023
Fair feelings
I’m not mad, just disappointed.
— Laura in the 608 (@hemming_hawing) March 9, 2023
Can rivals do that?
It will be nice to watch the tournament without having to worry about which under the radar team was going to beat us in the second round. #rootingforMarquettenow
— Wade U (@wadeinWI) March 9, 2023
Earn your minutes
Thank the bench guys for making a game of it [somewhat]. Liked the effort from those guys. Starters, on the other hand...
— Motion W (@Wisc_gt) March 9, 2023
It would likely be close
Is there any team in the country that wouldn’t sweat a matchup vs this Badger team in a one and out tournament game?
— Fred Melius MD (@fmelius) March 9, 2023
A win is a win
Happy this season is over. Happy for another gambling W against my team. Can they get more athletic and more talented? If not, Gard is gone after next season. Start working on this now so my eyes aren’t bleeding all next season.
— Mark Wolfgram (@markwwolfgram) March 9, 2023
Receipts were kept
— StreamingTVRadar 🖥 | 5 Star Marketing Advisors (@badgerhugh) March 9, 2023
A long year
It has been a trying year to be a badger fan. First the football team barely looked alive the men’s hockey team was on life support all season and now the basketball team finished with a whimper. I don’t think going to the Not Invited Tournament will satisfy fans
— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) March 9, 2023
Phases of fandom
Rinse & Repeat pic.twitter.com/7J5hA2MhF6
— Brian Eich (@Brian_Eich) March 9, 2023
Pretty remarkable
This is just remarkable. 17 more shot attempts than them. 17! And we lose by 8 points. Terrible @BadgerMBB season. These types of stats are just unreal. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/VmI3quRxN3
— Aaron Heim (@HeimTime88) March 9, 2023
Key to success
When they play aggressive defense they do well…that was missing for most of game
— aarondentz (@aarondentz) March 9, 2023
Holding out hope
Much better effort in the second half. Klesmit/Essegian had forgettable games. I will still trust Chucky. Kind of like the year - you never knew for sure what you were getting. Still hope they get a bid!❤️🏀
— Kathy Piotruszewicz (@lakepet53) March 9, 2023
Food for thought
-The decision to go small this year, in a very big B1G, maybe not the best choice.
— Hola, Que tal? (@dave_e_ramirez) March 9, 2023
-Wahl played like Wahl pre-injury
-Chucky and Gard are clearly on rocky terms
-Essegian has a bright future but its unclear how this team is better without a #2
One Sad Moment
Will be me now during One Shining Moment pic.twitter.com/2RWtkgY4CN
— Hey, what’s the story with our chicken, man? (@Z_Bro88) March 9, 2023
Help on the way
This team looks worn down. Trying to get through 20 plus Big Ten games with 7 man rotation, especially this Big Ten, wasn't going to work.
— Brian S (@BrianSm71994635) March 9, 2023
Air (raid) of grievences
15 days to spring football
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) March 9, 2023
