Not sure everyone around here has heard, but the NIT changed up the way bids were given out for this year and the way seeds/home games are given. Basically, the NIT will give auto bids to 2 teams from the ACC and SEC and then 1 team from each of the other top 12 conferences as rated by KenPom. Those teams will also be given the option to host a 1st round game as well.
So what this means is that the Valley (assuming we stay a top 12 conference in future years) should have an automatic bid and home game in the NIT each year for the best team not in the NCAA tournament. This year that team is Bradley, and they accepted the bid according to the Peoria Journal Star yesterday.
As as example for future years, had Bradley won at Arch Madness this year, and Drake had gotten an At Large NCAA tournament bid, then the bid would have fallen to UNI.