South Alabama coach Richie Riley explained the situation to AL.com, too. Riley said the Jaguars were offered a spot for NIT on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. South Alabama ended up getting the invite because UC Riverside, who had received the invite first, had to decline to play in the College Basketball Invitation.

In need of a team to take UC Riverside’s spot, South Alabama was brought in, but the Highlanders were able to get out of their CBI obligation and were available for the NIT. Because of that, the NCAA had to make a second call about an hour later to the Jaguars to inform them they were no longer invited.

Coach Richie Riley slammed an apology given by the NIT, which dropped his Jaguars after learning that UC Riverside was spurning the CBI tournament.

After falling in the conference tournament, it appeared Oklahoma State’s season was over, but Gallagher-Iba Arena will see more action. The Cowboys learned of t