The NCAA has issued a public apology to South Alabama and head coach Richie Riley after inviting the Jaguars to play in the NIT, then rescinding the offer.
According to the apology, the NCAA invited another team but learned that that team (we believe UC Riverside) had already accepted an invitation to play in another postseason tournament.
At that point, the NCAA invited South Alabama. The other team then chose the NIT over the other event, which led the NCAA to rescind the invitation.
— NIT (@NITMBB) March 17, 2025
It would seem plausible that this situation could have been handled a little better.