I was wrong

The only way this would have turned out bad is if they would have completely folded and lost the first game.

Seems to have really impacted team chemistry too. This team really didn’t seem to like each other much a month ago but they are playing much more connected in this tournament

If anything, it prepares Steven for the future on how to handle a tournament as a HC too, which could be very valuable should he succeed

AUKoog242 said:

Seems to have really impacted team chemistry too. This team really didn’t seem to like each other much a month ago but they are playing much more connected in this tournament

I wonder if the lack of a specific player factors into that…

Kustogm said:

I wonder if the lack of a specific player factors into that…

I was wrong as well. I would have been fine if they just shut it down and I am glad they didn’t.

Selfish teams like @wile e coyote’s Hoosiers took their ball and went home

Harvey Specter said:

Football schools like @wile e coyote’s Hoosiers dont give a damn about no NIT….

💯 HARVE…

Cosigned.

Welcome aboard!

pdiddy98_ said:

Playing in the NIT was absolutely a net positive and I’m glad we accepted the invite. The players and SP have gained a lot of respect from me with how they’re approaching this tourney. In addition to playing solid competition, playing in the NIT has allowed our staff to be around the team more which likely increases our odds of retaining some of this roster. SP getting more games under his belt is also a positive going into next year.

Unless your coach leaves it's pretty weak not to accept the NIT bid. Imagine being one of the A-holes that wanted to whine and opt out

I can’t believe there were so many people that didn’t want us to play in the NIT😆. It’s not that long ago that we weren’t invited to anything. I’m all for more Auburn sports, even if it means heartbreak

It been a very bright spot in an up and down year for sure. I was glad they took it and have been pretty pleased with how they have played after adjusting to the new rotations in the first game. They have definitely played better than I thought and it’s really valuable experience for Steven too. Only a first round loss would have made this the wrong decision and you couldn’t know that when you made the call. It would be so good for them to win it all too.

Braeden said:

I can’t believe there were so many people that didn’t want us to play in the NIT😆. It’s not that long ago that we weren’t invited to anything. I’m all for more Auburn sports, even if it means heartbreak

People here have a very short basketball memory. We’d have been thrilled with making the NIT for a long time.

Pretty funny that if we had played those exact 3 home games instead of Arizona, Michigan, and Purdue we’re probably a 9 seed.

pdiddy98_ said:

Playing in the NIT was absolutely a net positive and I’m glad we accepted the invite. The players and SP have gained a lot of respect from me with how they’re approaching this tourney. In addition to playing solid competition, playing in the NIT has allowed our staff to be around the team more which likely increases our odds of retaining some of this roster. SP getting more games under his belt is also a positive going into next year.

@pdiddy98_ I appreciate you so much - one of my most favorite posters on this board. And this post from you was completely spot on! The NIT tournament has created a culture and chemistry shift for this team and staff and I'm here for it.

JBTAU0689 said:

@pdiddy98_ I appreciate you so much - one of my most favorite posters on this board. And this post from you was completely spot on! The NIT tournament has created a culture and chemistry shift for this team and staff and I'm here for it.

T3 is good stuff. Enjoy his content 👌

JBTAU0689 said:

@pdiddy98_ I appreciate you so much - one of my most favorite posters on this board. And this post from you was completely spot on! The NIT tournament has created a culture and chemistry shift for this team and staff and I'm here for it.

Completely agree. Seems like they're having fun out there with each other. It's fun to see. Appreciate you too JBT!

Pommostaclenes said:

The only way this would have turned out bad is if they would have completely folded and lost the first game.

Eggzachary. I was telling my buddy last night, Gene Stallings once said when asked about a non-big game like Chattanooga; "You think it's not a big game? If we lose, it will be VERY big." (Paraphrased) So, one can think the NIT is meaningless, but if AU had layed down and got clobbered by USA or Seattle, that would have meant A LOT! IMO anyway.

AUKoog242 said:

Seems to have really impacted team chemistry too. This team really didn’t seem to like each other much a month ago but they are playing much more connected in this tournament

I think it's odd, one guy leaves the team, and they all of a sudden, out of nowhere, have a chemistry that hasn't been there all year🤔. It also seemed better in the SECT too tho, so maybe that has nothing to do with it. But either way, Murphy sitting out is dumb IMO. He just forfeited an opportunity to possibly create value for himself.

The_Etowahian said:

I think it's odd, one guy leaves the team, and they all of a sudden, out of nowhere, have a chemistry that hasn't been there all year🤔. It also seemed better in the SECT too tho, so maybe that has nothing to do with it. But either way, Murphy sitting out is dumb IMO. He just forfeited an opportunity to possibly create value for himself.

Kids just don’t think like that anymore. Hall, Magwood, Freeman, SWA, and Overton all have created more value for themselves somewhere next season wherever it takes them by playing and playing hard