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1954 NIT Basketball Tournament

The 1954 National Invitation Tournament was held at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The number of teams remained at 12. The tournament was a single game elimination format. In the championship game the Holy Cross Crusaders coached by Buster Sheary, defeated the Duquesne Dukes to claim their first NIT title. Togo Palazzi of Holy Cross was named he tournament MVP.

1954 NIT Mens Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Gardens

SeedTeamSeason W-LConferenceCoach
1 Duquesne-Independent
2 Western Kentucky State29-3Ohio Valley Conference
3 Holy Cross26-2Independent
4 Niagara24-6Western NY Little 3
5 Dayton25-7Independent
6 Bowling Green17-7Mid-American Conference
7 St. Francis (NY)23-5Metropolitan New York Conference
8 Saint Francis (PA)21-5Independent
9 BYU18-11Mountain States Conference
10 Louisville22-7Independent
11 Wichita State27-4Missouri Valley Conference
12 Manhattan15-11Metropolitan New York Conference

  First Round NIT Quarterfinals NIT Semifinals NIT Championship
                                     
1  Duquesne Bye
   
  1   Duquesne 69  
  8   Saint Francis (PA) 63  
8   Saint Francis (PA) 81
9  BYU 68  
  1   Duquesne 66  
  4   Niagara 51  
5  Dayton 90  
12  Manhattan 79  
  5   Dayton 74
  4  Niagara 77  
 
4  Niagara Bye  
  1  Duquesne 62
  3  Holy Cross 71
6  Bowling Green 88  
11  Wichita State 64  
  6  Bowling Green 81
  3  Holy Cross 93  
     
3  Holy Cross Bye  
  3  Holy Cross 75
  2  Western Kentucky State 69  
7  St. Francis (NY) 60  
10  Louisville 55  
  7  St. Francis (NY) 69
  2  Western Kentucky State 95  
     
2  Western Kentucky State Bye