Why the NIT hate?

[Username Not Available]

I see posters often disparaging or dismissing the NIT and I really don’t get it.

I agree that March Madness is the goal, but if we finish in the top 100 without an invite, the NIT seems to be solid post season play at the team’s level of competition.

The teams gets to play a few more games together and we get to watch them play a few more game together. Seems like a win win to me.

 

[Styre]

I think the point is more that making the NIT shouldn't be treated as some sort of major achievement. If NU gets there, obviously we should be happy, it's a heck of a lot more fun than getting waxed in the BTT and going home for good.

(Also you need to be better than top 100, more like top 70)

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I see posters often disparaging or dismissing the NIT and I really don’t get it.

I agree that March Madness is the goal, but if we finish in the top 100 without an invite, the NIT seems to be solid post season play at the team’s level of competition.

The teams gets to play a few more games together and we get to watch them play a few more game together. Seems like a win win to me.

If I could give you more than one "thumbs up" I would.

The goal for Northwestern basketball cannot be "regularly making the Sweet 16" or something even more optimistic.
To me, the goal is to be consistently competitive in the Big Ten. As in mid-pack. With an occasional great year that has us above midpack.
From that perspective, the NIT is an indication of baseline success.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

NIT seems pretty good right now after several years of nothing.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

NIT seems pretty good right now after several years of nothing.

We would have to do pretty well to make it the NIT this year!

 

[TheC]

The NIT would be amazing.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

We would have to do pretty well to make it the NIT this year!

we have 3 non-conference left and 19 Big Ten games left.
If we get to 10-2 after the remaining non-conference and go 6-13 in the remaining Big Ten games, thats only 16-15...

Not sure if we get NIT bid with a 9-2 record in soft non-conference schedule and 8-12 record in the Big Ten, but I think we'd "probably" make it.

So you're right!

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

It's the Not Invited Tournament.

 

[Username Not Available]

Thanks for illustrating my point.

 

[NUCat320]

When NU went to the NCAA, I realized how dumb it was that I had spent so many years watching those NIT games. NIT games suck.

But NIT games are way better than no games.

Esch’s senior year, as NU choked down the stretch (we probably imagined we had a shot in late February, but there were far fewer bracketologists then), some opposing fans chanted ‘NIT’ at us, and we were all “oh heck yes we’ll make the little dance!”

Lost to DePaul, but it was close

 

[SmellyCat]

I remember camping out for NIT tickets in 1994. It's a fond memory with good friends. I'd be thrilled with NIT this season from where I stand right now. I'm still holding out hope for the NCAAs, of course, but I'm realistic.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

I remember camping out for NIT tickets in 1994. It's a fond memory with good friends. I'd be thrilled with NIT this season from where I stand right now. I'm still holding out hope for the NCAAs, of course, but I'm realistic.

It will all come down to conference play. (So far, so good!) If the 'Cats make a tournament that begins with an N, I'll be delighted.

 

[cometclear]

When NU went to the NCAA, I realized how dumb it was that I had spent so many years watching those NIT games. NIT games suck.

But NIT games are way better than no games.

Esch’s senior year, as NU choked down the stretch (we probably imagined we had a shot in late February, but there were far fewer bracketologists then), some opposing fans chanted ‘NIT’ at us, and we were all “oh heck yes we’ll make the little dance!”

Lost to DePaul, but it was close

NIT games at the right venues are great. I much prefer the home court settings for the higher seeds before the semifinals. The NCAAs would be more exciting if they did the same, instead of often playing to small crowds in huge arenas in the first couple rounds.

 

[WildcatWillie_rivals223246]

NIT games at the right venues are great. I much prefer the home court settings for the higher seeds before the semifinals. The NCAAs would be more exciting if they did the same, instead of often playing to small crowds in huge arenas in the first couple rounds.

Agreed. I've attended several below-Big-Dance games and found them to be worthwhile for participants and fans alike. One was a championship women's game (WNIT or something like) and the atmosphere was quite pitched. Try telling anyone at that game that it didn't matter, and you wouldn't get far.

 

[CappyNU]

we have 3 non-conference left and 19 Big Ten games left.
If we get to 10-2 after the remaining non-conference and go 6-13 in the remaining Big Ten games, thats only 16-15...

Not sure if we get NIT bid with a 9-2 record in soft non-conference schedule and 8-12 record in the Big Ten, but I think we'd "probably" make it.

So you're right!

As of today, per Torvik's simulation site, we would need to go 17-14, 8-12 at a minimum to be in the conversation for NIT, even with the weakest possible wins to make the 8, which would be @MSU, Rutger, @Michigan, Wiscy, @Neb, Minny, Michigan, PSU. Losing 8 out of 9 over the last month of the season wouldn't be ideal either, so maybe we toss a victory over Kopp's IU instead of Wiscy.

The four weeks between Jan 11-Feb 5 will make or break our season, likely.

 

[hdhntr1]

I see posters often disparaging or dismissing the NIT and I really don’t get it.

I agree that March Madness is the goal, but if we finish in the top 100 without an invite, the NIT seems to be solid post season play at the team’s level of competition.

The teams gets to play a few more games together and we get to watch them play a few more game together. Seems like a win win to me.

It should be.

 

[hdhntr1]

If I could give you more than one "thumbs up" I would.

The goal for Northwestern basketball cannot be "regularly making the Sweet 16" or something even more optimistic.
To me, the goal is to be consistently competitive in the Big Ten. As in mid-pack. With an occasional great year that has us above midpack.
From that perspective, the NIT is an indication of baseline success.

Then at least give him the one