Xavier wins the 2022 NIT Championship

Xavier won the NIT for the first time since 1958 as Jack Nunge hits the game-winning shot with 3 seconds left. On their way to the championship, the Musketeers faced three SEC clubs. Florida advanced to the second round, Vanderbilt advanced to the quarterfinals, and Texas A&M advanced to the championship game. Since West Virginia in 2007, Xavier is the first Big East team to win the NIT. Since 1999, this was the first NIT championship game decided by a single point.

The Texas A&M men's basketball team (27-12) faces Xavier (22-13) at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT for a chance to earn its first tournament title in more than 30 years. The Aggies have gone 12-2 after their eight-game losing streak in the middle of the season. That losing streak likely cost them a spot in the NCAA tournament, but they blasted through the NIT and now have a chance to win it all.

The Aggies demolished Washington State in the semifinals on Tuesday in New York, winning 72-56. Texas A&M shot 48.5 percent in the paint, including 58.1 percent in the second half, to score 58 points in the paint, which was more than the Cougars scored as a team. After defeating St. Bonaventure 84-77, Xavier, a Big East team, advanced to the finals. Jack Nunge leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Colby Jones averages 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds, while Paul Scruggs contributes 11.7 points.