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1953 NIT Basketball Tournament

The 1953 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 Seton Hall Pirates coached by Honey Russell, defeated the St. John's Red Storm to claim their first NIT title. Walter Dukes of Seton Hall was named he tournament MVP.

1953 NIT Mens Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Gardens

SeedTeamSeason W-LConferenceCoach
1 La Salle25-3Independent
2 Seton Hall31-2Independent
3 Manhattan20-6Metropolitan New York Conference
4 Western Kentucky25-6Ohio Valley Conference
5 Duquesne21-8Independent
6 Louisville22-6Independent
7 Niagara22-6Western NY Little 3
8 St Johns17-6Metropolitan New York Conference
9 Saint Louis16-11Missouri Valley Conference
10 BYU22-8Mountain States Conference
11 Georgetown13-7Independent
12 Tulsa15-10Missouri Valley Conference

  First Round NIT Quarterfinals NIT Semifinals NIT Championship
                                     
1  La Salle Bye
   
  1   La Salle 74  
  8   St Johns 75  
8   St Johns 81
9  Saint Louis 66  
  8   St Johns 64  
  5   Duquesne 55  
5  Duquesne 88  
12  Tulsa 69  
  5   Duquesne 69
  4  Western Kentucky 61  
 
4  Western Kentucky Bye  
  8  St Johns 46
  2  Seton Hall 58
6  Louisville 92  
11  Georgetown 79  
  6  Louisville 66
  3  Manhattan 79  
     
3  Manhattan Bye  
  3  Manhattan 56
  2  Seton Hall 74  
7  Niagara 82  
10  BYU 76  
  7  Niagara 74
  2  Seton Hall 79  
     
2  Seton Hall Bye