The semifinals and championship game were held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
In February 2018, the NCAA approved a number of experimental rule changes for use in this tournament:[1] The following teams were guaranteed berths into the 2018 NIT field by having the best regular-season record in their conference but failing to either win their conference tournament or earn an at-large berth in the 2018 NCAA tournament.
Grambling State won the SWAC regular-season title but was banned from the postseason due to low graduation rates and did not participate in the conference tournament.
Due to a conflict at Taco Bell Arena (with the NCAA tournament), Boise State travelled to the University of Washington for their first-round match.
* Denotes overtime period ESPN, Inc. had exclusive television rights to all of the NIT Games.