I don't agree with that. We finished 18-15 (including the Big Ten tournament) in 2015 and didn't get into the NIT. Maryland was 19-13 last year and didn't get in.
People always think the NIT is like it was in 1998 when every Power 5 team over .500 got in. Now at least half the bids go to smaller conferences and 1-2 teams from each power 5 make it (maybe 3-4 from the Pac 10 who will only have like 2 NCAA teams.)