Why did OM turn down NIT?

[msstate7]

I realize disappointment, but they're hardly a basketball power that's above the NIT. Strange move imo

[CaptainObvious]

I realize disappointment, but they're hardly a basketball power that's above the NIT. Strange move imo

Teams lose money playing in that tourney.

[Homedawg]

Bc in today's era you aren't playing w next years team so better off go hit the portal.

[msstate7]

Bc in today's era you aren't playing w next years team so better off go hit the portal.

That makes sense.

[CadaverDawg]

Bc the program whose fans put chandeliers in their tents in the Groave is too good for a measly NIT bid.

Idiots.

I bet those players are pissed. Or maybe not, since they decided to also forego their last month of the actual season too

[LC Dawg]

I figure their ego tells them they can put together a Final Four team in the portal while everyone else is playing postseason. Totally dismisses this year's team but they don't really give a shit about the players.
Also gives Beard more time to interview even though they are convinced he is their basketball Kiffin.

[Quaoarsking]

It's pretty dumb that the portal opens up this week rather than after the NCAA Tournament is over.

[Commercecomet24]

It's pretty dumb that the portal opens up this week rather than after the NCAA Tournament is over.

Yeah nothing about the portal system makes much sense.

[Lord McBuckethead]

They prefer to quit instead of losing in the first round of a tourney that by its very nature, shouldn?t exist. The 64 best teams should be in the real tourney and there shouldn?t be automatic qualifiers.

[Lord McBuckethead]

The portal system should be 1 week. And it shouldn?t start until July.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Bc in today's era you aren't playing w next years team so better off go hit the portal.
^^^^This^^^^ also i really doubt the NIT exist in another year or two.

[KentuckyDawg13]

I remember hearing those douchebag fans months ago brag about how much better their team is than ours....now they do this.

um hasn't had a relevant basketball team for years.

They are simply posers.

[TALL DAWG]

UM probably was concerned they would not make the Nit with a 90 Net ranking, with only 2 wins since mid Feb (with both being over Mizzo) and thus decided they were not going to play to risk being embarrassed by not getting picked.

[Pancho]

not sure they'd have a full compliment of players either.

[Saltydog]

Pride. Nothing more than pure, unadulterated pride. It's damn sure not history and prestige.

[gtowndawg]

Bc in today's era you aren't playing w next years team so better off go hit the portal.

Yep, that's the answer.

[Charlie_Sheen420]

I realize disappointment, but they're hardly a basketball power that's above the NIT. Strange move imo
Per Beard it is due to a couple players having some family matters off the court
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/ole-miss/2024/03/15/ole-miss-basketball-chris-beard-nit-march-madness/72989166007/

[Turfdawg67]

Maybe because the starting lineup was 4 seniors and 1 junior with 4 of them being transfers... they've got zero loyalty to OM and probably don't care unless they're incentivized.

[BeardoMSU]

Per Beard it is due to a couple players having some family matters off the court
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/ole-miss/2024/03/15/ole-miss-basketball-chris-beard-nit-march-madness/72989166007/

Definitely would've been the statement had they made the Dance, lol.

[CaptainObvious]

They prefer to quit instead of losing in the first round of a tourney that by its very nature, shouldn?t exist. The 64 best teams should be in the real tourney and there shouldn?t be automatic qualifiers.

No There should be Major Division for basketball and a Minor Division for basketball. Crown champions in both levels.

[gtowndawg]

No There should be Major Division for basketball and a Minor Division for basketball. Crown champions in both levels.

I mean we do the same thing (esentially) at the high school level. Different levels but you are still a State Champion.

[StarkVegasSteve]

No There should be Major Division for basketball and a Minor Division for basketball. Crown champions in both levels.

I hope they never do this. The NCAA tournament is still about those Cinderella's who make a run. It's still about Jimmy and his One Shining Moment, Massimino and his upset, Butler almost rewriting Hoosiers, St. Peters, Farleigh-Dickinson, and so many more moments. Hell our Final 4 Run is a direct result of one of those moments when Pete Carrill and Princeton knocked off UCLA.

People will stop caring when it's 13-17 LSU playing 27-2 Houston just because they are big schools.

[Goldendawg]

Unless you have a very good young team that you know that all are coming back( few teams know), the NIT means very little in this Portal/NIL world. Very few fans care about making it now and see it as a failure. I have also read it is a $ loser, even if you get a home game or two.

[Tripp McNeely]

Beard really needed to focus his energy on putting together another preseason hyped team that fails to make the tournament.

[TALL DAWG]

If I were one of the probably 3,000 fans who would?ve attended the NIT game at the Pavilion, I?d be PISSED that they didn?t play. Especially the season ticket holders who have been attending all yr. Not fair to the fans at all.

[PGHBulldogBG]

With the portal, NIL and the way rosters turnover now I understand not wanting to participate. I don’t really fault the schools if they decide not to play in it and if they do that is fine too. I think each coach should make the decision based on what he sees more valuable for the upcoming year.