SMU left out of NIT field

[Demented in Dallas]

See the link. Hawaii and Nevada are in the 40-team field. No SMU. No Rice.

WAC Commissioner Benson may sit on the NCAA Selection Committee, but his sphere of influence only extends to his office door.

<A HREF="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=1368&ncid=1368&e=1&u=/ap/20030317/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_nit" TARGET=_blank>http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=1368&ncid=1368&e=1&u=/ap/20030317/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_nit</A>

[PX]

You expected something different?

[Hoop Fan]

As expected, but Hawaii really didnt deserve any postseason after finishing 9-9 in the WAC. Decent win over Kent on the road, but they dont leave the island in the preseason. I think Rice was more deserving this year, but money and reputation clearly speaks loudest for the NIT.

[EastStang]

Rice had their shot as we did. If Rice and SMU had won their games against Hawaii and Nevada, there might have been an argument there. As it turned out, Hawaii's win over Rice on a neutral court sealed the deal. I said last week, that if we didn't beat Nevada we had no chance at the NIT.

[Hoop Fan]

I agree, just think Hawaii got a wink and nod. Put it this way, I dont think that if Rice or SMU had switched seasons with Hawaii that either would be in the NIT right now.

[EastStang]

According to the Washington Post, they'll play on Saturday. Sorry, no forfeit. So, if we go to war on Thursday, did you hear that the games may be carried on TNN or VH-1?

[Charleston Pony]

Hawaii beat Butler, Fresno, Tulsa & Kent St...all quality wins against top 100 teams. That's more than SMU could say. Rice had a better argument than SMU, but has even more of an image problem than we do.