Win the NIT or NCAA First Round Loss?

[Harry0569]

NCAA obvious choice for publicity.

Plus with all the attentiin we are getting in the media not making the tourney would be seen as underperforming.

The question says "First Round" which means you're losing in those Tuesday/Wednesday night games in Dayton. There really isn't that much publicity for those teams, and what there is is mainly negative. You become the team that should have been left out in favor of the biggest "snub". I don't think that's the kind of publicity we want.

If we aren't even going to play in a "real" tournament round, I'd rather win the NIT.

They aren't going to be one of the last 4 in. Trust me, they're either gonna be in solid or they won't be. No room for wins that put them on the true bubble. They gotta win 2 of the big games and take care of the games that they will be favored in or they won't be in. If they do that, they're sitting on a 10 line or better. Not to sound like a know it all, but I really follow this stuff very closely every year as it directly relates to my job. I can pretty much tell you for a fact they won't be in the group of the last 4 unless they simply win all the games they should and don't get another big win and somehow sneak in.

May I ask what you do? Feel free to PM me.

[LHS81]

Agree with LB on his position of the SMU basketball job. "He wouldn't be here if he didn't think he could win an NCAA Championship". . . So for me, that mean: Cutting the nets down at Jerrah World in April

[OhioBrownFan]

They aren't going to be one of the last 4 in. Trust me, they're either gonna be in solid or they won't be. No room for wins that put them on the true bubble. They gotta win 2 of the big games and take care of the games that they will be favored in or they won't be in. If they do that, they're sitting on a 10 line or better. Not to sound like a know it all, but I really follow this stuff very closely every year as it directly relates to my job. I can pretty much tell you for a fact they won't be in the group of the last 4 unless they simply win all the games they should and don't get another big win and somehow sneak in.

It doesn't matter. It's a purely hypothetical poll, and the question says clearly "First Round Loss". I would rather win the NIT than lose in one of those midweek games that most people ignore.

Touche, well I was just going by we won't be on directly on the bubble that SMU would have to play a "play-in" game. But that is good point you make.

Harry- I PMed you

[Topper]

Brad Sham posed that same question back in the 80s when we went to our first NCAA in several years. He was convinced that we should have declined the NCAA bid if that is even possible. The outcome: We lost to Georgetown, 1984 Champions, but it was an extremely competitive game and was actually in doubt up to the final minute or so. The positive noise we got for that game was worth more than 2 NIT wins.

[hoopmanx]

I follow a team that's been in the nit the last few, and all I can speak to is my experience as a fan who likes to watch his team play. when you have a young program, loads of young players on the roster, the nit is fun. The reality is that the NCAA is the big deal, but they are down to 16 by mid Sunday.

At that point, if you love basketball, the only thing to watch during the week is the nit. Even though it's not the NCAA, your team is one of 32 teams playing or so including the NCAA. As I've said before, teams that flourish in the nit and keep their nucleus, are legit top 20 teams the following year.

[mustang1992]

If these were the only two options, I'd take NIT win. But for what it's worth, I don't think we'd loose in the 1st round anyway. This team is getting more and more confident as the season goes along, there has been some serious growth with some of the players even the last few games (e.g., Kennedy comes to mind as the obvious example). If you've watched them all season long, like most of us have, I believe they are a top 25 team. They just don't have the signature wins, like we need to make that happen right now. Win the next two, then upset Memphis at Moody next Saturday and we will be there! We enter the Memphis game 6-2 in conference, the Memphis atmosphere could be more exciting than the UConn atmosphere.

[EastStang]

NCAA. Another point re: the NIT is that I recall that teams have to bid on home games. Maybe we'll Pony Up because we have a good team this year. But, in the past we've always been on the road.

[CoxMustangFan]

I follow a team that's been in the nit the last few, and all I can speak to is my experience as a fan who likes to watch his team play. when you have a young program, loads of young players on the roster, the nit is fun. The reality is that the NCAA is the big deal, but they are down to 16 by mid Sunday.

At that point, if you love basketball, the only thing to watch during the week is the nit. Even though it's not the NCAA, your team is one of 32 teams playing or so including the NCAA. As I've said before, teams that flourish in the nit and keep their nucleus, are legit top 20 teams the following year.

How many of said teams have a nearly vertical trajectory and a coach approaching 75? NCAA...

[Comet]

And this my friends, is why I voted for NIT championship in January. More recognition, more practice, more fun for the fans. With the caveat of course that this prepares us for an NCAA run next year.

[Charleston Pony]

I voted NIT because with the #1 seed it meant 3 more home games and then ESPN air time against the women. Pub has been priceless

[SMU Section F]

I think the NIT has been great for the program's future, I loved the bonus home games (especially the Cal game), and it's obviously brought the program a lot of positive attention, but I've still gotta stick with my original answer:

NIT would be a satisfactory consolation prize, but the NCAA tournament is the goal. No question.

I am willing to amend "satisfactory" to "pretty amazing" however.

[Mama Bouche]

I don't think they would have lost in the first round. Bogus pole...

[Rebel10]

Who says we would have lost the first round. If UConn is still playing we may very well still be playing now as well.

[mrydel]

No one said we would lose. It was just an open question. Win the NIT or lose in the first round. I do not think there would be a question if we advanced to any level in the NCAA.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

BUMP!