March Madness 2018: Notre Dame favored by oddsmakers to win NIT

For the first time in four years, Notre Dame missed the NCAA Tournament but they still could win it all in the consolation bracket.

The Irish were ranked in the top five of the AP Poll in late November but their season came crashing down when they lost their top two scorers. Senior forward Bonzie Colson and senior guard Matt Farrell missed a big portion of the season, resulting in an 8-10 conference record.

Despite getting snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee, Notre Dame is listed as the favorite to win the National Invitation Tournament, according to William Hill oddsmakers.

St. Mary’s, which entered Championship Week ranked in the top 25, is also favored to make it to New York for the finals of the NIT.

Updated odds to win 2018 NIT

Notre Dame 9/2

St. Mary’s 5/1

Southern California 7/1

Baylor 8/1

Louisville 10/1

Oklahoma State 10/1

Utah 18/1

Marquette 18/1

Middle Tennessee State 18/1

Oregon 18/1

LSU 20/1

Stanford 20/1

Penn State 20/1

Washington 22/1

Mississippi State 25/1

Western Kentucky 25/1

Boston College 25/1

Nebraska 25/1

Temple 25/1

Boise State 28/1

BYU 30/1

UL Lafayette 30/1

Vermont 40/1

Northern Kentucky 50/1

Rider 75/1

Harvard 75/1

UC Davis 100/1

Florida Gulf Coast 100/1

UNC Asheville 150/1

SE Louisiana 200/1

Wagner 200/1

Hampton 250/1

Odds via William Hill

The 2018 National Invitation Tournament begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday, March 29. The tournament will feature experimental rules including an extended 3-point line and widened lane area. The most notable experimental change will be that games will be played in four 10-minute quarters rather than two 20-minute halves.