2026 NIT Tournament: Scores, Bracket & Key Dates
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Dayton Flyers are heading to the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years, securing an 80-61 victory over UNC Wilmington on Saturday at Trask Coliseum. A dominant second-half performance propelled Dayton (25-11) past the Seahawks (27-7), continuing a strong late-season run that has seen them win 10 of their last 12 games.
The win marks Dayton’s first NIT second-round victory since 2010, when they defeated Cincinnati en route to their third NIT championship. They had fallen in the second round in 2022 and 2025, losing to Vanderbilt and Chattanooga respectively. This year’s tournament run is a significant step forward for coach Anthony Grant’s program.
De’Shayne Montgomery led the Flyers with 20 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the field. Montgomery also surpassed 1,000 career points in the game, adding another layer of accomplishment to the victory. Dayton’s offensive efficiency was key, but it was their defensive adjustments that truly swung the momentum.
UNCW started the second half by scoring the first basket, briefly threatening to maintain their competitiveness. However, Dayton responded with a decisive 16-2 run over the next six minutes, establishing a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish. The Seahawks struggled mightily from three-point range, shooting just 14% (3 of 21), their second-worst percentage of the season. Dayton wasn’t significantly better from beyond the arc, hitting 36% (9 of 25), but their overall shooting and rebounding proved too much for UNCW to overcome.
This was the first meeting between Dayton and UNC Wilmington since 2011, and the Flyers now hold a 4-0 all-time record against the Seahawks, including a 2-0 mark in the NIT. The victory also spoiled UNCW’s first postseason home game in program history, a disappointing end to their season.
Looking ahead, Dayton will face either No. 1 seed Wake Forest or No. 4 seed Illinois State in the quarterfinals. Those teams are scheduled to play on Sunday afternoon in Winston-Salem, N.C. If Wake Forest were to lose, Dayton would host the quarterfinal game, a significant advantage. However, a Wake Forest win would send the Flyers back on the road.
The NIT bracket is notable this year for the participation of several power conference teams, including Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State. Interestingly, a number of programs that had hoped for NCAA Tournament bids – Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Belmont, and San Diego State among them – declined invitations to the NIT, highlighting the increasing importance placed on the NCAA Tournament as the primary goal for many programs.
Key Dates for the 2026 NIT:
- First Round: March 17-18
- Second Round: March 21-22
- Quarterfinals: March 24-25
- Semifinals: April 2 (Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis)
- Championship: April 5 (Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis)
Other Second-Round Results:
In the Auburn Region, No. 2 seed Nevada defeated Liberty 73-63, with Elijah Price leading the way with 15 points. Nevada will advance to face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the quarterfinals.
Several other games are scheduled for Sunday, including a matchup between No. 1 seed Auburn, and No. 4 seed Seattle U. Auburn, under first-year coach Steven Pearl, is looking to make a strong run in the tournament after being a No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Other notable games include New Mexico facing George Washington in the Albuquerque Region, and Wake Forest taking on Illinois State in the Winston-Salem Region.
The NIT quarterfinals promise to be competitive, with all four participating power conference teams still in contention for the title. Dayton’s success, fueled by Montgomery’s performance and a resilient team effort, positions them as a strong contender as the tournament progresses. The Flyers’ ability to maintain their momentum and adapt to different opponents will be crucial as they navigate the remaining rounds.