UTEP 80, Houston 77 Final

[George S. Patton]

nm

[George S. Patton]

Now this is officially a one-bid league.

[smu diamond m]

But then again, who thought it would be a 2-bid league

[J.T.supporta]

this was never a two bid league. once Memphis lost, UAB and UH knew they had to win the CUSA tourney to get in, they failed

[MustangStealth]

I think UAB had a shot if they made the finals and had a good showing against Memphis and if there weren't any more upsets in other leagues. That's a lot of ifs but the did have an RPI in the 40s.

[Harry0569]

Wow what an upset. Was anyone at the game that would like to comment on how UTEP won?

[angryfan04]

I guess a second year coach can win with freshmen

[WildBillPony]

From what I read on the UTEP forum, Penders did a fair amount of whining at the end of the game, claiming a foul when a UTEP player stripped the ball away from the 89% free-throw shooting Houston player in the final seconds. Apparently, he likes to blame losses on officiating.

[friarwolf]

Didn't see the game but Barbee, the UTEP coach, was Calipari's assistant and you can see the similarities between the UTEP and Memphis squads. UTEP is basically a Memphis starter kit as both squads are extremely athletic so it's not that big a surprise that UTEP is having a good run in the tournament...............

[MustangStealth]

Apparently, he likes to blame losses on officiating.

Well the UTEP fans should be able to help him out with that.

[The XtC]

[quote="smu diamond m"]But then again, who thought it would be a 2-bid league[/quote]

Three weeks ago alot of people thought it could be a 3 bid league. Houston and UAB both looked like they had a shot. That was before Houston cratered, and UAB's RPI ranking slowly dropped because of 4-5 questionable losses earlier in the year (Georgia Southern, South Florida, Wichita State, Southern Miss, Marshall). Getting beat in their first games in the tournament were just the last nail in the coffin. UAB may still be on the bubble (RPI of 56) but it's the bad side of the bubble.

[Charleston Pony]

I've got to believe CUSA gets no more than 3 teams into post season play. Memphis will be our one bid to the NCAA and UAB and Houston should get NIT bids. I don't see any quality wins outside of CUSA for either Tulsa or UTEP. We have a long ways to go in upgrading this conference.

[The XtC]

[quote="Charleston Pony"]I've got to believe CUSA gets no more than 3 teams into post season play. Memphis will be our one bid to the NCAA and UAB and Houston should get NIT bids. I don't see any quality wins outside of CUSA for either Tulsa or UTEP. We have a long ways to go in upgrading this conference.[/quote]

I respectfully disagree, either UTEP or Tulsa (Tulsa more likely, but both have a good shot) will also get to to play in the post-season. There are enough tournament bids that both could get one. I guess we will know when we pick up the paper tomorrow.

In OOC, Tulsa has a win over Charlotte, and UTEP has 2 wins over New Mexico State, and those teams are also likely to be NIT participants. They arent huge wins, but they're decent.

[Peruna88]

Houston Chronicle article about CBI tourney.

March 15, 2008, 9:07PM
UH lands spot in new basketball tourney

By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Coach Tom Penders’ Houston Cougars didn’t land the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 1992, but they found out Saturday that they will indeed be playing in the postseason.

The Cougars instead will play in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational tournament, against an unnamed opponent.

"Tom and the players indicated to me that they were anxious to play another game, and I fully support them in this," said University of Houston athletics director Dave Maggard. "We have accepted an invitation to play in the CBI, and I’ve been told (by the organizers) that we will play a name opponent."

The CBI, organized by the Gazelle Group, is the same company that produces the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic (which benefits the Coaches vs. Cancer). Opening-round games will be played Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Cougars will open the tournament on the road, with host teams playing on their home courts. The 16-team tournament will feature a single-elimination format through the first two rounds and semifinals, but the championship will decided by a best-of-three series, with the higher-seeded team hosting the first game and, if necessary, the third.

"Given the choice between the two (the CBI and the NIT), I would much prefer the CBI," Penders said. "They are trying to get the best field they can possibly get, and they’ll get their field filled before the NIT does.

"It’s an honor that they (the tournament organizers) thought that highly of us. It does take the mystery out of (Selection) Sunday, though."

Led by senior guard Robert McKiver, the Cougars finished the season 22-9, losing 80-77 to UTEP Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA tournament.

"I’m excited," Penders said. "This is something a little different, something that’s cutting edge."

[Charleston Pony]

I've got to believe CUSA gets no more than 3 teams into post season play. Memphis will be our one bid to the NCAA and UAB and Houston should get NIT bids. I don't see any quality wins outside of CUSA for either Tulsa or UTEP. We have a long ways to go in upgrading this conference.

I respectfully disagree, either UTEP or Tulsa (Tulsa more likely, but both have a good shot) will also get to to play in the post-season. There are enough tournament bids that both could get one. I guess we will know when we pick up the paper tomorrow.

In OOC, Tulsa has a win over Charlotte, and UTEP has 2 wins over New Mexico State, and those teams are also likely to be NIT participants. They arent huge wins, but they're decent.

I hope you are right; with the CBI adding 16 more teams to the postseason, I'd like to think both UTEP and Tulsa will get NIT consideration. Both draw well at home and that won't hurt their chances in that tournament.