30 conference seasons conclude with a single-elimination tournament . Traditionally , all conference schools are eligible , regardless of record . However , some conferences , most notably the Big East , do not invite the teams with the worst records . The conference tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament . A school that wins the conference regular season title is guaranteed an NIT bid ; however , it may receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament . The Ivy League is the only Division I conference that does not hold a conference tournament , instead sending their regular-season champion
Big East
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season