Xavier received its 1958 NIT bid after a 10-1 start but lost 10 of its last 15 games and the NIT committee asked if XU wished to withdraw; first-year head coach Jim McCafferty emphatically said no! XU fell behind 16-3 in its first game vs. Niagara but came back to win 95-86 before defeating Bradley (72-62) and St. Bonaventure (72-53) to earn a spot in the title game. XU upset No. 11 Dayton 78-74 on national TV in the championship game to complete the Cinderella run at Madison Square Garden. Hank Stein (MVP), Ducky Castelle, Joe Viviano and Tony Olberding all made the All-Tournament Team.
NIT Championship MVP
