So why are some really against SMU and the CIT?

[Mitch McConnell]

I guess they really are based on the stuff I'm reading.

Well, it's a shame.

[Blunt Pony]

It is an interesting debate if that is the correct description. I think that some folks just don't understand that while the CIT is not the achievement of a goal, it is a step towards the bigger goal. I will admit to never looking at a CIT scoreboard since it's inception but I am interested because we are playing in it. How can it hurt to play some extra games in a tournament environment? Yes, it is contrived, and yes it is weird to pay for games, but the big picture is that we get some experience under our belt and hope to be in a relevant tournament next year.

I don't think the old guard hate the program as much as they probably hate college athletics and what it has become. I see both sides of the argument, yet I do not see any downside to playing in this tournament, just enjoy the ride.

[mrydel]

Mitch, your idiotic, continous statement that the "old guard" is anti SMU basketball is beginning to really [deleted] me off. You are smart enough to realize many if not most of the antis are certainly not old timers. It was cute for a while with your blue hair assumptions, but you are going way too far. This program is supported by many of the over 50 crowd.

[Mitch McConnell]

I don't think the old guard hate the program as much as they probably hate college athletics and what it has become. I see both sides of the argument, yet I do not see any downside to playing in this tournament, just enjoy the ride.

Exactly.

Hence, that's why I created Welcome to the New World of College Athletics, Blue Hairs thread because the resistence to this thing was a bit stunning. Some of these guys are holding on to Larry Davis, Jim Krebs and Gene Phillips.

That's fine. Great players. They're also out of eligibility. And it's 2011 not the freaking 1957 Final Four.

Like it or not, this is the system and it's a billion dollar business. Embrace it or ignore it. Either way, it's here to stay and will continue to evolve.

[Used To Be]

Mitch, I am part of the "old guard". Played at SMU in the 70's and going towards 59 years old. And NO i don't hate SMU athletics. Been to every home game this year and the two CIT games. Been to all the home football games and even went to several rowing meets. Maybe if your busy schedule allowed you to attend more basketball games, your attitude may change based on your own reaction to the games and not someone else's interpetation.

Go Mustangs.

[Mitch McConnell]

The Used to Be and Mrydel tell the likes of ontheedgeofmyseat and some others to knock it off. I'm really getting irritated with the hate they are espousing. Mrydel, I know you where you stand and I know where mustangbill67 stands. He and I have talked twice about this over at Ozona's

I got over to the two CIT games. Four people can back me up that when my 10-year-old's soccer game ended at 1:40, we hightailed it over from SW Fort Worth and walked into Moody at the under 4 timeout.

I just really want to know why the CIT is a bad thing? They cannot present a valid explanation.

You cannot deny that there are some people on this board who are really against this. They may or may not be over 55 but they do give you enough of an impression that they are.

[hoopmanx]

Basically, if the CIT was a an OOC tourney we played in the preseason, we'd all think it was damn cool.

[mrydel]

I think you need to go to the football board and tell everyone to quit any reference to Doak Walker, Kyle Rote, Eric Dickerson, Craig James, et al. We certainly do not want to get into the old guard habit of remembering the greats that made us who we are.

If you do not like what ontheedgeofmyseat says, and I certainly do not, then go after the butthead guard rather than painting everyone over 50 as bad. By the way, I believe that oteoms is closer to your age than mine.

[Mitch McConnell]

BTW, I changed the headline to make it fit better. You bring up a very valid point.

I really do appreciate SMU's past. I embrace it. But for some, they present the appearance that they have a hard time letting go of it.

College athletics is a huge billion dollar industry. ADs have to do what they can to make their programs relevant in the grand scheme. Orsini, who has been criticized by many for being this or that, sees an opportunity to give more exposure to the BB program and did a great thing.

Now, he's crucified for that.

Mrydel -- I guess the bottom line is that some people will never be happy about ANYTHING!

That's what really bothers me.

[mrydel]

Now that is a post with which I agree.

[One Trick Pony]

Think Mitch is a grandfather him self,
.

[Peruna88]

Think Mitch is a grandfather him self,
.

Not even close.

[SoCal_Pony]

Mitch, your idiotic, continous statement that the "old guard" is anti SMU basketball is beginning to really [deleted] me off. You are smart enough to realize many if not most of the antis are certainly not old timers. It was cute for a while with your blue hair assumptions, but you are going way too far. This program is supported by many of the over 50 crowd.

Congrats Sarge, it takes a LOT to p*ss off Mrydel

[SoCal_Pony]

Basically, if the CIT was a an OOC tourney we played in the preseason, we'd all think it was damn cool.

Agreed, especially since both victims were higher ranked than us.

I am totally into this CIT tourney (as long as we keep winning)

[EastStang]

I don't know if my hair qualifies as blue graduating in the mid-70's. I have always been probasketball. In fact, I've always thought it was under-appreciated as a way to quickly get back into the limelight. You only need 3 great players to be competitive in Division 1. With 5-7, you are a dynasty. Look at Duke, UNC, Maryland, Wake Forest, and Vanderbilt. They justify their existences in the SEC and ACC through for the most part basketball. The BE even has a bunch of schools that don't even play Division 1 football. Everyone knows who Georgetown, Marquette, DePaul, St. John's, Providence and Seton Hall are. But they have a hard time figuring out South Florida from the same conference (who is there because of football). Basketball is an important piece of the puzzle and if you have a tradition of great men's basketball and decent football, the BCS will pay attention.