So why are some really against SMU and the CIT?

[PoconoPony]

I believe the resistance to the CIT is more psychological. I view it as a tourney beneath our dignity and an embarrassment that our program has sunken so low that this is where we find ourselves. It is tough to accept playing Jacksonville State when in 1967 when I was at SMU we were knocking off Louisville with Butch Beard and Wes Unseld and losing in the NCAA regional finals to Kansas and JoJo White. Our history in the 50s, 60s and 70s suggests that we have an expectation level of competitiveness at a reasonably high level and that the CIT is far below even modest expectation levels. Hence, it is the psychological part that is difficult to accept under our current realities.

[Mexmustang]

Real simple:

Pro: More practice time; more experience, experience in tournament play, a little more local press.

Con: Not counting the teams from the Big East without football programs, there were 25 or so teams in the NCAA tournament that are mid-majors or less, there are additional teams in the NIT, this tournament is made up of teams with low profiles and even lower ratings. We have to pay, not play our way in, and it seems to be giving Doh and the administration a false claim of success.

Reality: Saturday's CIT scores were not even in the Houston Chronicle, nor San Antonio papers, not to mention a story on the SMU game. We're still not a top 25 program, nor even a top 50, or top 75 or ? And Doh gets an extention when in reality he didn't have a winning record against Div 1 teams.

[shadowman]

Of course, we would all rather be in the NCAAs or possibly the NIT, but I see nothing wrong with the CIT. We are able to extend our season and are getting a chance to play some pretty good teams. Nice to see where we stand at the end of the season, compared to the beginning.

Looking at the final 8 teams left:

Nortern Iowa
Iona
Santa Clara
San Francisco
Ohio
Buffalo
East Tennessee State
SMU

That is a pretty nice field of teams that have had recent and past NCAA tournament success.

While certainly I am not expecting it, but if we came out on top and won a tournament against those 7, I would consider it one hell of accomplishment, also, remember that ECU and Marshall from our conference had pretty good RPIs but got bounced in the first round.

I am proud of what we have done so far and am really looking forward to watching us against Northern Iowa tonight.

I don't want to try and compare this to an NCAA or even NIT berth, but I still think it is a positive step for where are program is at now. Obviously, if you ran off a few NCAA berths in a row, then you don't play in a tournament like this, but it is a nice fit for us and the teams that are in it.

I am grateful for opportunity and hope we win the damn thing!

[hoopmanx]

I believe the resistance to the CIT is more psychological. I view it as a tourney beneath our dignity and an embarrassment that our program has sunken so low that this is where we find ourselves. It is tough to accept playing Jacksonville State when in 1967 when I was at SMU we were knocking off Louisville with Butch Beard and Wes Unseld and losing in the NCAA regional finals to Kansas and JoJo White. Our history in the 50s, 60s and 70s suggests that we have an expectation level of competitiveness at a reasonably high level and that the CIT is far below even modest expectation levels. Hence, it is the psychological part that is difficult to accept under our current realities.

I respect this view point and know it exists, but one of the major problems w/SMU moving forward, is the reluctance of many, to let go of the SWC. It was a glorious time in the school's history, but it's so far removed, it's not worth actual discussion. We've been in the WAC, WAC 16 & CUSA since then, if I'm not mistaken.

Let's deal w/the reality of how to make this a mid major power, and not cry over it not being a high major. Reminiscing if fine, but claiming anything is beneath our dignity, isn't living in real time.

[hoopmanx]

Real simple:

Pro: More practice time; more experience, experience in tournament play, a little more local press.

Con: Not counting the teams from the Big East without football programs, there were 25 or so teams in the NCAA tournament that are mid-majors or less, there are additional teams in the NIT, this tournament is made up of teams with low profiles and even lower ratings. We have to pay, not play our way in, and it seems to be giving Doh and the administration a false claim of success.

Reality: Saturday's CIT scores were not even in the Houston Chronicle, nor San Antonio papers, not to mention a story on the SMU game. We're still not a top 25 program, nor even a top 50, or top 75 or ? And Doh gets an extention when in reality he didn't have a winning record against Div 1 teams.

Reality: The scores were on ESPN tickers all day, and papers are going out of business.

[mr. pony]

The problem I have is with the school pushing a CIT win as SMU's "first post-season win since '88," that it was its "first post-season appearance since 2000," that "March Madness has returned to The Hilltop." There is absolutely no comparison. It's stretching it to the point of absurdity. It looks desperate.

[hoopmanx]

The problem I have is with the school pushing a CIT win as SMU's "first post-season win since '88," that it was its "first post-season appearance since 2000," that "March Madness has returned to The Hilltop." There is absolutely no comparison. It's stretching it to the point of absurdity. It looks desperate.

technically it's all those things, but that's just marketing swag. Just take it for what it is, and have fun. Tonight's road game is a really fun match-up, and very difficult

[2ndandlong]

The problem I have is with the school pushing a CIT win as SMU's "first post-season win since '88," that it was its "first post-season appearance since 2000," that "March Madness has returned to The Hilltop." There is absolutely no comparison. It's stretching it to the point of absurdity. It looks desperate.

technically it's all those things, but that's just marketing swag. Just take it for what it is, and have fun. Tonight's road game is a really fun match-up, and very difficult

couldnt agree more

[PoconoPony]

I believe the resistance to the CIT is more psychological. I view it as a tourney beneath our dignity and an embarrassment that our program has sunken so low that this is where we find ourselves. It is tough to accept playing Jacksonville State when in 1967 when I was at SMU we were knocking off Louisville with Butch Beard and Wes Unseld and losing in the NCAA regional finals to Kansas and JoJo White. Our history in the 50s, 60s and 70s suggests that we have an expectation level of competitiveness at a reasonably high level and that the CIT is far below even modest expectation levels. Hence, it is the psychological part that is difficult to accept under our current realities.

I respect this view point and know it exists, but one of the major problems w/SMU moving forward, is the reluctance of many, to let go of the SWC. It was a glorious time in the school's history, but it's so far removed, it's not worth actual discussion. We've been in the WAC, WAC 16 & CUSA since then, if I'm not mistaken.

Let's deal w/the reality of how to make this a mid major power, and not cry over it not being a high major. Reminiscing if fine, but claiming anything is beneath our dignity, isn't living in real time.

Are we really moving forward? Therein lies the question and many on this board do not think we have taken that step yet. Our optimism is based purely on the conjucture of the potiential of untested new players that might be available next year. I hope for the best, but the reality is that we will need to wait and see. In the interim, the CIT should not be viewed as the high mark for the last 5 years of futility.

[Wuba]

In the interim, the CIT should not be viewed as the high mark for the last 5 years of futility.

If the CIT is not the high point of the last 5 years of SMU basketball then what do you think is?

[Mexmustang]

This has absolutely nothing to do with the old SWC.

Here is a simple test:

Part A: Name the mascots, hometowns and school colors of the three teams we have or will meet in this tournament?--any three teams in the tournament?

Part B: Name one person you work with that went to Oral Roberts, Jackson State or Northern Iowa! Makes for great conversations around the water cooler doesn't it?

We averaged 900 for the two games--no one cares about these matchups! And we have to pay for it!That is the first thing we are comnplaining about. Measuring our progress against Jackson State--hell, we don't even know what conference they play in.

Second, having Orsini try to package this as "post season play" or a watershed year, or a turnaround season so that Matt is rewarded is pure "Copeland speak", after 20 years of BS we just won't buy into it with our presence or our dollars. If Bennett had dummied down our football schedule as we have done in basketball, he would be in the third year of a ten-year, $20 million contract. Please don't treat us a uniformed idiots anymore. Again are we even in the top 100?

Let the team play on just don't try to characterize this as an excuse to not find a real coach.

We did not have a winning season against Div 1 competition--just that simple! "Top Twenety-five, hell we did even play anyone in the top twenty-five!

[ponyscott]

Oh c'mon guys just take it for what it is and enjoy it for something better than sitting home doing nothing. Its all relative and its baby steps and good for them that they have won and are in the quarter finals of something in Basketball....finally!
Look at the records of other mid majors and even high majors and they ALL have games against lesser teams...they all need warm-up games and the records are what is viewed at the end of the day, unless you are going dancing. And we never were this year......so what?
If we had a CBI or NIT game against the same teams, the attendance would be the same. It is Spring Break and there ain't no one home. And WTF....'does anyone know anyone at work who goes to these schools?'...where does that come from? First of all its Jacksonville, Not Jackson State and I don't know anyone at work who goes to Gonzaga, BYU or Duke for that matter.....so???
We paid $31,500 for each home game and kept all the gate receipts from the game, so the donations were maybe $5-10,000 per game net???.!!!!

[Mexmustang]

Season ticket holders don't have spring break, just students. No one cares about our opposition. They just don't excited about seeing a school whose name no one can remember, Jacksonville or Jackson State. You want people to get excited schedule some teams we have heard of. I would rather loose to UK by 10, than win against Jacksonville by 1. Maybe it is just me. But, this years schedule and this tournament is underwelming from a fan point of view.

I just don't like people suggesting that Matt's performance warrants an extention because of this invite...What did we finish in CUSA? Get bumped out of the tounament by Rice in the first game!
Sure let 'em play, but don't let this smokescreen hide the facts--Matt has accomplished very little since he has been here. Maybe next year will be better, I hope so...it looks like he will be here quite a while.

[mustangxc]

This has absolutely nothing to do with the old SWC.

Here is a simple test:

Part A: Name the mascots, hometowns and school colors of the three teams we have or will meet in this tournament?--any three teams in the tournament?

Part B: Name one person you work with that went to Oral Roberts, Jackson State or Northern Iowa! Makes for great conversations around the water cooler doesn't it?

We averaged 900 for the two games--no one cares about these matchups! And we have to pay for it!That is the first thing we are comnplaining about. Measuring our progress against Jackson State--hell, we don't even know what conference they play in.

Second, having Orsini try to package this as "post season play" or a watershed year, or a turnaround season so that Matt is rewarded is pure "Copeland speak", after 20 years of BS we just won't buy into it with our presence or our dollars. If Bennett had dummied down our football schedule as we have done in basketball, he would be in the third year of a ten-year, $20 million contract. Please don't treat us a uniformed idiots anymore. Again are we even in the top 100?

Let the team play on just don't try to characterize this as an excuse to not find a real coach.

We did not have a winning season against Div 1 competition--just that simple! "Top Twenety-five, hell we did even play anyone in the top twenty-five!

Answers
Part A: Off the top of my head USF Dons, Air Force Falcons, Hawaii Warriors, ECU Pirates, Marshall Thundering Herd, etc.

Part B: I did work with an Oral Roberts graduate for 2 years not too long ago.

PS Jacksonville plays in the Atlantic Sun Conference (I remember reading that in the press release)

[ponyscott]

Season ticket holders don't have spring break, just students.


UNDERSTOOD MEXMUSTANG--- BUT MANY FANS, TICKET HOLDERS ARE ALL OUT ALSO. ITS SUCH A WEIRD DEAL IN MARCH...EVERYONE TAKES OFF, WHETHER THEY HAVE SCHOOL AGE KIDS OR NOT. NO EXCUSES, JUST THERE ARE MANY FOLKS THAT JUST FIND IT A REASON TO TAKE OFF WITH OTHERS.

I just don't like people suggesting that Matt's performance warrants an extention because of this invite...

I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH THAT AND HOPE NO ONE IS REALLY SAYING THAT....MATT NEEDS TO PERFORM NEXT YEAR AND THEN HE DESERVES AN EXTENSION. HE HAS MADE ALOT OF STRIDES THIS PAST YEAR OR TWO, AND MAYBE HE REALLY HAS CHANGED.THE COACHING ADDITIIONS HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE...THIS CIT INVITE IS JUST A MEANS TO AN END, AND HOPEFULLY THE END IS AN NCAA BID....NOT NEXT YEAR, BUT THE YEAR AFTER.