I heard they were going to remove the rule that says if you receive an NCAA bid, you must play in it. This was done for Calipari and Memphis, since they OWN the NIT and arenât really interested in making tournament appearances.
Now that the NCAA owns the NIT will they develop it into something other than the leftovers tourrnament? Don't forget, in '76 we went to the Finals of the NIT and in '77 we went to the Final Four of the NCAA. I'd take that two year run again beginning this year. I don't believe we are on that track, but I would happily take it.
I know itâs a tiny moneymaker for programs that donât get into the Big Dance but it wouldnât hurt my feelings one bit if the post-season NIT was done away with. For me, if you donât make the NCAA Tournament, just call it a season and look to the following year for improvement. Itâs nice to have a few extra games but no one cares whoâs in or wins the NIT.
Granted the NIT is nowhere near as prestigious as the NCAA tourney, but I see no reason to get rid of it. Most of the time there are decent teams playing in it⌠teams that just got off to slow starts, teams that are missing pieces, and teams that couldnât quite get it together in time (sound familiar?). Besides, it gives us some basketball to watch during the week since NCAA games are only on the weekends. Once college bball is over all we have to watch is baseball and golf.
If we get in the NIT I will be watching and if we get a home game I will be there. Maybe it could even help us build a little momentum for next yearâŚ
Coaches love the NIT because of these reasons:
a) it gives you, at minimum, an extra few days of ORGANIZED practice
b) it gives you, at minimum, one game against a quality opponent
For those that make deep runs, itâs several weeks of extra practice and extra games. Most of the time, the teams that make deep runs into the NIT are more succesful the following year. The exception would be if the starting lineup was loaded with seniors. For young teams, itâs a great bonus. Nobody would trade their NCAA trip for an NIT run to New York, but the final four of the NIT is usually pretty exciting. All the more when there is a local team to pull for.
The NIT is good only because it allows us to say that we qualified for postseason play in 15 of the past 19 years.
[QUOTE=jcl49er;151783]I know itâs a tiny moneymaker for programs that donât get into the Big Dance but it wouldnât hurt my feelings one bit if the post-season NIT was done away with. For me, if you donât make the NCAA Tournament, just call it a season and look to the following year for improvement. Itâs nice to have a few extra games but no one cares whoâs in or wins the NIT.[/QUOTE]
Any way I can get a chance to watch a few extra gamesâŚI taking it.
Coaches love the NIT because of these reasons:a) it gives you, at minimum, an extra few days of ORGANIZED practice
b) it gives you, at minimum, one game against a quality opponentFor those that make deep runs, itâs several weeks of extra practice and extra games. Most of the time, the teams that make deep runs into the NIT are more succesful the following year. The exception would be if the starting lineup was loaded with seniors. For young teams, itâs a great bonus. Nobody would trade their NCAA trip for an NIT run to New York, but the final four of the NIT is usually pretty exciting. All the more when there is a local team to pull for.
Iâm not judging the NIT from a coachâs or players perspective. Obviously, from that angle, your two points are very valid. My opinion was from a fanâs perspective and the NIT equates to underachieving. The goal each season (at our level) should be to make the NCAA Tournament and go from there. Being content with NIT means you have some pretty low expectations. If thatâs the best we can do, sure, Iâll watch because I enjoy college basketball and the Niners. But as redundant as it is to say it, Iâd MUCH rather lose, as an at-large team, in the first game of the Big Dance then play in the title game of the NIT.
I know it's a tiny moneymaker for programs that don't get into the Big Dance but it wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if the post-season NIT was done away with. For me, if you don't make the NCAA Tournament, just call it a season and look to the following year for improvement. It's nice to have a few extra games but no one cares who's in or wins the NIT.
I agree. Who can give me the names of the last 2 NIT winners without looking it up? No one. Last years? There may be a few legitimate reasons why a coach likes it, but I would imagine that the majority of players, fans and programs are disappointed to play in the NIT, even if it means the team plays a few extra games. For me, it is NCAA tourney or bust. As a fan, I could care less if we make, or even win, the NIT. What does it mean? We were better on a given day than the other teams that were closest but still not good enough to get in the NCAA tourney?
In my opinion, when you are ok (does not mean happy) with going to the NIT, it is time to really reconsider the teamâs direction.
[QUOTE=BobandEd49er;151802]I agree. Who can give me the names of the last 2 NIT winners without looking it up? No one. Last years?[/QUOTE]
Last year was sorta easy because South Carolina beat Saint Josephâs. For the latter, it capped a 24-12 year after they started 3-6. Still, Iâm sure both schools would rather have gone NCAA dancinâ!
[QUOTE=LeftyNiner;151584]The reality isâŚmaking the tournament 5 out of 7 years under Lutz is a major accomplishment. [/QUOTE]
1 Problem- we donât win in the tourney. Simple as that.
[QUOTE=run49er;151805]Last year was sorta easy because South Carolina beat Saint Josephâs. For the latter, it capped a 24-12 year after they started 3-6. Still, Iâm sure both schools would rather have gone NCAA dancinâ![/QUOTE]
Youâre still the champ.
You're still the champ.
Well, everyone remembers Memphis winning back in '02, but how could we not with all of Calâs whining that year.
[QUOTE=austinniner;151857]Well, everyone remembers Memphis winning back in '02, but how could we not with all of Calâs whining that year.[/QUOTE]
f that dude.
If we had to play them and they had blown us out this year, it might be suicide worthy.
I could never live that down.