NIT Hopes?

mwitt · 03-01-2007, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by cmoore_23

the top 4 teams are going to be hard to beat.. considering they are all south teams..

Kansas State is in the north.

bootcy · 03-01-2007, 02:39 PM

As is Kansas

cmoore_23 · 03-01-2007, 02:39 PM

wow my bad im out of it..

Whitey · 03-01-2007, 02:49 PM

It would be interesting if all 4 D1 programs from Iowa could make the NIT. However, Drake and ISU have the worst pedigrees to make it.

Johnny8 · 03-01-2007, 02:53 PM

I think it's possible that we could win the Big XII tourney, and I'll cheer on the Clones until the last second no matter how far ahead or behind we are, but honestly the chances that we'll win the Big XII touney are extremely slim. The fact is, in the tourney we will play either Nebraska or Oklahoma in the first round (with Baylor still a very slim possibility). To win the tourney, we would most likely have to then beat either Texas, Texas A&M, and Kansas (with no breaks), or we would have to beat Kansas, Kansas State, and Texas A&M/Texas.

Now I firmly believe that we could beat any of those teams, but beating four teams in a row including 2 or 3 from the top 4 of the Big XII just probably isn't in the cards for us this year. Therefore, I think the NIT is a very reallistic goal for us to strive for, while still not giving up the chance of an NCAA birth. I think we'd need to beat Tech and win 3 in the tourney to be selected for the NIT, which would most likely place us in sixth place in the Big XII following the Big XII tournament.

wonkadog · 03-01-2007, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by isucyclone4

Why are you people already talking NIT???? what the hell has gone so wrong with our bball program that "FANS" are talking NIT before the regular season is even over and before the big 12 tourney starts...Let's just root for our team and have a good showing for a big game against bobby knight's boys and then focus on winning the big 12 tourney. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN PEOPLE, that is why the play the damn thing...I get sick of this "meh" look at our team and program, I know no one is giving up on them, but don't sell them short either. Even if they only won 1 conference game all year (much like our fball team did in this disappointing past season), they still need the same support as a tinsley/fizer led team that only lost 5 games all year.

IF we are eliminated from the big 12 tourney, THEN start talking about the NIT all you want, but until then...don't say "i am just being realistic"...bcuz these guys need all our support and you never know what may happen people.

That's what makes a truly great program and fanbase, having people there no matter and I thought I would hear something more what i'm saying on a website called "CYCLONE FANATIC"...It's sad to think we couldn't even fill JTS for DMac's last game...HILTON AND JACK TRICE STADIUM NEED TO BE PACKED ALL THE TIME, rain or shine - that's PART of what keeps a program steadily good. Our coaches in wrestling, football, women's bball, men's bball, etc... are all putting in the effort...JP and the athletic dept is definitely putting in the effort, so must the damn fans. NIT should be defeat for ISU bball, so we need to stop admitting defeat before it ever comes.

I like the positive attitude but you really remind me of exactly what I hate about Hawk fans. They talk about pipe dreams as though they're reality. I'm all for packing our stadiums but it's also o.k. to know where your team stands in the overall scheme of things...note I haven't said I've given up hope.

CTTB78 · 03-01-2007, 03:23 PM

Why are we talking NIT???-- because we are not Hawk fans!!

We are, after all, knowledgeable and realistic fans. I'd love to win the tourney just as bad as the next 'Clone fan, but we are not in the same class as A&M.
A win against TT and one win in the tourney, I think, gets us in the NIT, which would be a great accomplishment for this team.

cyclone14 · 03-01-2007, 08:20 PM

were in 8th with the tiebreaker over OU

Sniffy · 03-01-2007, 08:33 PM

I think it's important for people to remember that being realistic with ISU basketball doesn't equate to "giving up" on it. I'd be willing to bet that just about every member of this site is rooting and hoping for the best every game. Just because some of us are thinking about the NIT doesn't mean we're being negative. In fact, if anything, I'm hoping they'll make it so the team gains that much more experience for next year and the year after that.

zdorr40 · 03-01-2007, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Sniffy

In fact, if anything, I'm hoping they'll make it so the team gains that much more experience for next year and the year after that.

Very good point. IMO, it's kinda like making a bowl game. NOT EXACTLY, but KIND OF. The extra couple weeks of practice sure couldn't hurt, not to mention some post-season experience.

With that said, I am doubting we'll make it, especially since they've lowered the number of bids to 32.

CyclonesRule · 03-01-2007, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Sniffy

I think it's important for people to remember that being realistic with ISU basketball doesn't equate to "giving up" on it. I'd be willing to bet that just about every member of this site is rooting and hoping for the best every game.

I agree totally. At least they are being optimistic about our chances of making the NIT instead of saying well there's only one more regular season game left which we'll probably lose and then one game in the tournament and then the seasons over.

I would like our chances of beating Texas Tech. After all we are playing at home in Hilton Magic. Then in the first round of the big 12 tourney we will most likely play someone we have already beaten once in the regular season.

CyCy · 03-02-2007, 09:01 AM

With the "old" NIT rules we would probably be in - with the "new" NIT rules probably not.
Then NIT only takes 32 teams vs. 40 previously. They give automatic invites to any conference champs that didn't make the NCAA - that took up 6 spots last year.
Also they now pick teams with a committee of 8 former coaches based on merit rather than the old method of who could bring more attendance.

bandit · 03-02-2007, 09:26 AM

I'd like to see us get into the NIT-yes I said the NIT. Hilton was beyond crazy when we got into the NIT after WM's first season with the MBB and WBB doubleheaders. I have to believe that the NIT will take us if we are even close to being considered simply because of the atmosphere (remember the ESPN love,) and fans we'll put in the seats.

Any postseason would be huge for us heading into next season-particularly if we can score NIT home games. Post season home games would benefit our team with more time together and would generate a ton of fan support for the upcoming season.