What's up with So. Miss not in the NIT?

Go2Guy · 03-22-2008, 03:21 PM

Sorry if you folks already discussed this and I missed it.
They finish 19-14 and 9-7 in conference, but didn't make the NIT?? I thought most Div 1 teams that finish about .500 can make the NIT. This has got to be disappointing to So Miss that Eustachy hasn't made a post-season appearance by now.

"Southern Miss Team Report Mar 22, 2008

After finishing 20-11 in 2006-07 with a young team, the expectations were a lot higher for Southern Miss this season than coach Larry Eustachy was willing to accept. He thought his players might struggle to handle their newfound success"

Drive4cy · 03-22-2008, 03:32 PM

It's their non-conference schedule. They have too many wins over programs that aren't D1. Why they schedule multiple games like that is beyond me with over 330 D1 programs to choose from. Next year could be a breakout season for LE and Southern Miss.

Cypwr · 03-22-2008, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by Go2Guy

I thought most Div 1 teams that finish about .500 can make the NIT.

Not since the NCAA took over the NIT. First they lowered the number of teams from 48 down to 32. They also have a rule if you won a regular season championship but did not make the NCAA Tournament you get an automatic bid. The NIT previously was all about $$$ so the bigger crowd drawing teams above .500 use to be a shoe in and would host, now it is basically the next best 32 teams.