Quote Originally Posted by Cooterpoot View Post
It's the NIT. These teams didn't make it. Aside from the 5-10 each year that get automatics and shouldn't be there, these aren't top 50 teams we're beating. Just how it is. I'll watch and be happy each win, but it's still simply practice for next season. It's a participation trophy but you get to improve yourself with the extra practices. How many teams from the NIT final 4 made the NCAA's this year? 1? The team that won it was a one and done team this year (tough matchup with Syracuse). Bakersfield made the final 4 last year. It's not a big deal beyond the practice and extra games. It's basically a low-end bowl game.
Are we going to tell recruits that we're a NIT team? No. All they're worried about is that damn One Shining Moment video.
I'm more excited about next year. This year is nothing special even if you win the NIT.
Bullshit. If we win, we get a trophy. For actually winning. The other 31 teams don't. So it's not a participation trophy. It's still an achievement. While certainly the NIT is second-tier to the NCAA tournament, it's still more of an accomplishment to be the NIT champion than it is to be eliminated in the first round of the NIT (like Nebraska), or not get in at all (like Ole Miss). However small you think the trophy or title is, you still have to compete to win it. Isn't winning better than losing?