If part of the Triple Crown Sports NIT is for the division’s heavyweights to formally announce themselves while the rest fight and claw to make a name for themselves in hopes of joining the conversation, then the former outranked the latter as the 17s took their best shot in Kansas City.

If there is any indication that someone new is ready to join the national championship conversation the secret stayed safe after three days of action where the nation’s top clubs reaffirmed they are the ones to beat come qualifying season and beyond. Sixth-ranked Top Select 17 Elite Blake and No. 1 TAV 17 Black only lost to one another, Top Select to TAV on Day 1 and TAV to Top Select in the finals.