How to watch 2021 NIT on TV, via live online stream

The 16-team postseason tournament begins Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET in Frisco and Denton, Texas.

By Jovan C. Alford@Jovan10 Updated Mar 17, 2021, 11:29am PDT

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Mississippi Rebels guard Devontae Shuler (2) handles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Askew (2) during the second half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss.

The NCAA Tournament kicks off on Thursday with the First Four, but before then, we get another postseason tournament. The National Invitation Tournament, long ago the more prominent postseason option, tips off on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. ET on the ESPN family of channels.

The NIT normally has 32 teams participating in it, but due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, there will only be 16 teams involved in this year’s edition. In addition to fewer teams, this year's NIT will be played in a bubble-type atmosphere in Frisco and Denton, TX.

How To Watch

The entire NIT will be televised across ESPN and ESPN2, which can also be accessed through the ESPN App. However, to watch any of those games on the app, you need to have a cable subscription. If you don’t have a cable login to access ESPN for the live stream, you can get a free trial from YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, or Sling TV to stream the NIT.

The first game of the tournament featuring the Toledo Rockets and Richmond Spiders will be broadcasted at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday on ESPN2, followed by Western Kentucky playing Saint Mary’s (CA) at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. On Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, ESPN will have a doubleheader including NC State vs. Davidson and SMU vs. Boise State.

Odds info

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Ole Miss Rebels have the best odds to win the NIT at +500. The Rebels will open up the NIT against Louisiana Tech on Friday night 9 p.m. ET. The next three teams with the best odds to win it are the Memphis Tigers (+550), Saint Louis Billikens (+550), and Colorado State Rams (+800).

Game schedule

Wednesday, March 17

7 p.m. — Toledo vs. Richmond — ESPN2
9 p.m. — Western Kentucky vs. Saint Mary’s — ESPN2

Thursday, March 18

7 p.m. — NC State vs. Davidson — ESPN
9 p.m. — SMU vs. Boise State — ESPN

Friday, March 19

7 p.m. — Buffalo vs. Colorado state — ESPN2
9 p.m. — Louisiana Tech vs. Ole Miss — ESPN2

Saturday, March 20

7 p.m. — Dayton vs. Memphis — ESPN
9 p.m. — Mississippi State vs. Saint Louis — ESPN

Thursday, March 25

6 p.m. — Quarterfinal #1 — ESPN2
7 p.m. — Quarterfinal #2 — ESPN
9 p.m. — Quarterfinal #3 — ESPN
10 p.m. — Quarterfinal #4 — ESPN2

Saturday, March 27

Noon — Semifinal #1 — ESPN
3 p.m. — Semifinal #2 — ESPN

Sunday, March 28

Noon — Championship — ESPN
3 p.m. — Third Place Game — ESPN