NIT Update - Big Ten Represe... wait, what?
I hear there is some other tournament going on or something, but in Big Ten country, we're all about the NIT amiright guys???
So here is your weekly NIT update!
The Big Ten had gotten off to a strong start, with #1 Iowa and #2 Illinois winning their opening round games. Only Indiana lost, maybe as the first higher seed to voluntarily play a road game in the NIT ever (probably). Also local-ish teams like Oakland and Illinois St. advanced woo!
So on to our update!
ROUND 2
#1 Iowa took on #4 TCU in the 2nd round and... LOST 94-92 in OT. I was so heartbroken, I couldn't even be bothered to look up the game recap.
But that's okay because #2 Illinois took on upstart #6 Boise St. and showed them the bidniss, winning 71-56, with new coach Brad Underwood looking on. Good look for the new coach, boys!
Speaking of upstarts, #7 Oakland (winners over #2 Clemson in round 1), took on #6 Richmond (winners over #3 Alabama). Sadly, it was not to be for Oakland, as they lost 87-83 to Richmond.
I think we care about #1 Illinois St because they're in the Big Ten footprint, right? Well, care no more because they lost 63-62 to #4 UCF.
ROUND 3, AKA the Quarterfinals
#2 Illinois looked to have an easier path against #4 UCF, but it was not to be. They lost 68-58 to the UCF Knights Who Say Ekke Ekke Ekke Ekke Ptang Zoo Boing
And thus ends all meaningful post-season basketball for the Big Ten. Or something.
PS - Georgia Tech is in the semifinals against CSU-Bakersfield. If they win it all, at least IU can say they lost to the CHAMPS! *waves tiny flag*
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
Love the Holy Grail reference, well done
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:16 PM ^
..the knights who until recently said NIT?
Right here. Next to this one. It will look nice.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
Why the hell would we want an NIT update? Much bigger fish to fry.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^
I apologize for taking away from what is clearly very important game preparation time for you. I truly hope and pray that the several minutes it must have taken you to read this post and formulate your response (and downvote!) does not negatively impact your ability to fry your large fish, hopefully in a nice beer batter and to a crisp, golden crust.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
Never explain the joke.
They won't get that either.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^
Gotta appreciate the well crafted snark though.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:59 AM ^
"To Hell with NIT updates!"
-- G. "Bo" Schembechler
That's what he actually said, before he was misquoted for posterity.
Bring out yer FISh! Bring out yer FISH! Bring out yer FISH!
As a huge fan of all shapes and sizes of fishes I am quite greatful of your efforts, especially your fillet of IU
They're not fried yet!
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
"M Ascending"? More like "M Condescending".
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
This post sucks
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
The fact that our elite Big Ten teams were not able to make it beyond the quarterfinals certainly does suck. Hopefully, they can have a better showing next year so that these posts do not suck so much.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:40 AM ^
Yeah but tell me how you really feel, kind sir.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:56 AM ^
Lighten up, Francis
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
How did Ohio State do in their NIT game?
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^
Almost as good as Dantonio's bowl game, but with less moral victory.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:57 AM ^
And Urban Meyer's bowl game, for that matter.
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
Yeah, but Damporeos won the mental message game.
My wife and I saw several people in Indy with Ohio State gear. We made sure to ask each of them, "what time does Ohio State played today?" The responses were always a blank stare.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
Thanks for the update. I wasn't about to dig around for NIT results, but it's good to hear what's going on with other B1G teams. Seems we have some surprisingly grumpy folks for such a beautiful Sweet 16 morning.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:38 AM ^
Would you rather win the NIT, or make the First Four of the NCAA Tournament but lose right away? Tough call.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^
As a fan and from an entertainment standpoint, I'd rather win the NIT. From a program and bragging (e.g. made the tourney X out of the last Y years) standpoint, NCAA tournament loss.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
You always want the opportunity to try to accomplish something big.
You can't do that in the NIT.
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
one game in the tournament counts more than five NIT champoinships
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:39 PM ^
I really enjoyed the 2006 NIT run because my expectations were low. I wasn't as happy with the 1997 win because we underachieved. Given the team's recent history, I would much prefer getting to the tournament.
The 2004 NIT was my first time seeing an M basketball game live. According to the history book, Michigan beat a local team (Rutgers) for the championship. Didn't remember that, but remembered speaking to Tommy Amaker. Lovely guy. (Seriously.)
Also didn't remember that the semifinal game was a win against Oregon.
Lol.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
Man, must be some people commenting on this thread so heartbroken that it's posted that they can't even be bothered to read the OP.
I don't always care about NIT updates, but when I do hahaha jk I never ever care about NIT updates but if I did I would want them written like this one.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^
were all of these teams even in the NIT? You could have lied about the entire field and resulst and I would have had zero clue.
March 23rd, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^
UCF beat Illni to be in the semi. Glad that he is doing well in his first year there, even without Aubrey playing.
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^
MSU should totally be in the NIT final four right now guys.
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^
I wish Michigan missed the ncaa tournament so their younger guys could get some experience in the NIT.
Because they are getting blown out in these ncaa tournament wins.
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
This is a phenomenal update for something I'm not positive I could care less for. Job well done.
March 23rd, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^
where it seemed like every year Michigan was making a run.... in the NIT
despite being the higher seed?
I caught the end of the ISU/UCF game and they mentioned that the winner of the UofI game would be playing at UCF. Maybe it has to do with being in the 1-seed bracket? I was wondering that myself.
EDIT: per the Champaign Room (SB Nation Illini blog), it was due to a scheduling conflict.
http://www.thechampaignroom.com/2017/3/22/15030550/illinois-vs-ucf-fina…
If UofI won, they wouldn't have been able to use their home arena. If UofI lost to Boise St, UCF would still be the higher seed and host anyway.
42nd Street playing at their arena last night.
Gotta love the douche canoes who not only open a thread they don't want to read (knowing, because if the clear titling, that they don't want to read it), then they read it, then downvote it, and then post so they can whine about how they didn't want to read the topic.
Great job, OA. I enjoyed this.
An 8 seed made it to the semis. That's a pretty decent run.
An NIT-erella if you will.
Feel good for these teams who make it far. Michigan's been in this position plenty in the NIT so it's hard for me to play the "high and mighty" role here.
No matter if you are playing in MSG for the NIT finals or to watch Adele, that's special for those guys.
I logged in just to upvote the op, oa
they were an 8 (lowest) seed in the NIT. First time an 8 seed has made it to the semifinals. They won 3 road games to get to MSG. This will be a rather cool thing for their fans --- CSUB only became a D-1 school 10 years ago.