[CTcard]

Four years later they won the NCAA title, but the NIT was the more prestigious tournament at that time.

More prestigious for awhile, simply because it was in NYC and had more media attention, but not necessarily better teams.

The champs of the NIT and NCAA then played each other from 43-45, with the NCAA champ winning each time.
The Helms Foundation, one of the few naming "national champs", chose Stanford in 42 ... and 37.
The ESPN retroactive power poll chose Stanford as champs in 42 and 37 as well.

[CTcard]

Four years later they won the NCAA title, but the NIT was the more prestigious tournament at that time.

More prestigious for awhile, simply because it was in NYC and had more media attention, but not necessarily better teams.

The champs of the NIT and NCAA then played each other from 43-45, with the NCAA champ winning each time.
The Helms Foundation, one of the few naming "national champs", chose Stanford in 42 ... and 37.
The ESPN retroactive power poll chose Stanford as champs in 42 and 37 as well.