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1956 NIT Basketball Tournament

The 1956 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 Louisville Cardinals coached by Bernard Hickman, defeated the Dayton Flyers to claim their first NIT title. Charlie Tyra of Louisville was named he tournament MVP.

1956 NIT Mens Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Gardens

SeedTeamSeason W-LConferenceCoach
1 Dayton25-4Independent
2 Louisville26-3Independent
3 Saint Josephs23-6Independent
4 Niagara20-7Western NY Little 3
5 St. Francis (NY)21-4Metropolitan New York Conference
6 Seton Hall20-5Independent
7 Duquesne17-10Independent
8 Xavier17-11Independent
9 Saint Louis18-7Missouri Valley Conference
10 Oklahoma A&M18-9Missouri Valley Conference
11 Marquette13-11Independent
12 Lafayette20-7Independent

  First Round NIT Quarterfinals NIT Semifinals NIT Championship
                                     
1  Dayton Bye
   
  1   Dayton 72  
  8   Xavier 68  
8   Xavier 84
9  Saint Louis 80  
  1   Dayton 89  
  5   St. Francis (NY) 58  
5  St. Francis (NY) 85  
12  Lafayette 74  
  5   St. Francis (NY) 74
  4  Niagara 72  
 
4  Niagara Bye  
  1  Dayton 80
  2  Louisville 93
6  Seton Hall 96  
11  Marquette 79  
  6  Seton Hall 65
  3  Saint Josephs 74  
     
3  Saint Josephs Bye  
  3  Saint Josephs 79
  2  Louisville 89  
7  Duquesne 69  
10  Oklahoma A&M 61  
  7  Duquesne 72
  2  Louisville 84  
     
2  Louisville Bye