NIT is still happening... What of the Big Ten teams so far?
Random, I know, but my extended family is all Illini, sooo....
Big Ten teams in the NIT include:
- Iowa as a 1 seed. They face 8 seed South Dakota today. I guess they'll win?
- Illinois as a 2 seed. They crushed 7 seed Valpo last night. Up next is is 6 Boise State, who upset 3 Utah. If they beat BSU, they could potentially face 1 Illinois State in the regional finals in the BATTLE FOR ILLINOIS!!!
- Indiana as a 3 seed. They played AT (despite being the higher seed) 6 Georgia Tech and LOST. Because they're stupid and somehow think that playing a home NIT game devalues the aura and mystique and BRAND of Assembly Hall. So they lost on the road. Because they're dumb.
- Also of local SE Michigan interest is the fact that 7 seed Oakland upset 2 Clemson and goes on to play 6 Richmond, who upset 2 Alabama. They are in the same regional bracket as Iowa.
Sure, this all takes a backseat to the BIG DANCE, but you at least want to see the non-Crean Big Ten teams do well in the NIT.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^
I asked a friend and former colleague who went to UCLA how they were feeling about Alford, because there'd been some consternation before this season. Obviously, considering the results, they're happy with Alford for now. I also asked if they'd be OK with him leaving if he was called home, and he said sure, since Alford wouldn't be leaving the program in the funk that Ben Howland did.
I'm not sure if it'll happen at this point, if there's just too many hard feelings for Alford to go back to IU, but now would seem like the time.
March 15th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
Hard feelings didn't keep Harbaugh from going back to Michigan. Alford will go back.
UCLA is set for awhile with the Ball brothers all committed there.
March 15th, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^
March 15th, 2017 at 12:54 PM ^
I watched part of the IU GT game. That crowd was really into the game and no doubt helped GT, who was able to pull away late. Most of the game IU was within 5-7 points. I don't know if IU would have been able to pull it out at home, but the IU AD didn't do his basketball team any favors by declining the home court advantage.
I would think one of the biggest issues with drawing a top coach there is the delusional elements of the fan base who think it's still the 1970s and that IU is one of the top half dozen basketball jobs / programs in the country.
Great guy and a great coach. Too bad his star rose too late in life for him to be considered as a coach for a major D1 program. He would have done well if a P5 program had taken a chance on him 10 years ago.
All U of M fans should maintain a rooting interest for Kampe since both his father and brother played football for UofM.
Fuck Tom Crean.
Hi,
I found this old interesting fanpost about NIT finances:
http://www.cougcenter.com/2011/3/22/2066451/nit-finances
As one would expect NCAA tourney pays a lot to be in it, and you get a larger share the more you advance.
Every lesser tourney, pays less so you get to the point for something like CBI, etc where you might lose money to play it, and only get the benefit of playing games.
It could cost your school money if you pay the expense to host the game, but revenue collected is not good for attendance in the first round.
Players might prefer the per diem given to traveling teams.
Every decent program or one with some pride would still be willing to absorb any financial loss from hosting to improve the chance of winning.
Just wondering how Sparty keeps getting in. I guess its not who you know, but who is doing the BLOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!
So glad that Crean has picked up Bo Ryan's mantle of hilarious photos.
I can't find OSU in the NIT bracket. When & who do they play?
They didn't make the field. I think the NCAA made a huge mistake because clearly they are a top team and would be a threat to win it all! (in the NIT) KenPom rates them ahead of the likes of Colorado, Utah, GT, Oakland, Colorado St, Iona, Belmont, Monmouth, Richmond, Akron, Boise St, UT Arlington, and UNC Greensboro.
They clearly got robbed and I will shed a tear for them tonight.
/s