NCAA or NIT????

Rhodyhooopz · Unread post by **Rhodyhooopz** » 9 years ago

First off I will say nothing would be better than seeing "Rhode Island" being announced on Selection Sunday, BUT what would be better for this team in the long run, a one and done trip to NCAA or a deep run in the NIT, with a few home games in there?

My feeling is with the flaws that this team has, FT shooting and youth, a low NCAA seed, 11 or 12, wouldn't necessarily be the best thing for them.

As the NIT bracket shows right now they would be one of the #1 seeds in the NIT. 2 or 3 home games and a chance for success would be very beneficial to a young team and it's growth.

With all that being said, I hope this team wins out and becomes the 2nd URI team to win the A-10 tourney.

skwalk47 · Unread post by **skwalk47** » 9 years ago

I dono I would love to see us play a 4 or 5 seed. None of them would want us as a matchup. I think this team has good upset potential because they have really good defense and a high variance offense (IE if we make shots that we typically havent, we win).

PS if we do win in Brooklyn (or maybe win out otherwise, who knows?) and we are a 12 seed, I guarantee we play one of the really good mid majors (think VCU, Wichita, etc.) because they want to weed one of the non BCS schools out... Happens every year: "let's have these two really good mid major teams play each other so we dont have to worry about both of them making trouble"

scine20 · Unread post by **scine20** » 9 years ago

Not to be a jerk here but how is this even a question? The NIT was fun.....in 2003. The NIT is boring, no one cares about it.

The NCAA tournament is always better for any school than the NIT.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 9 years ago

Yeah, not a question for me either. If we win the A10 and get into the tournament it presents so many more exciting avenues. It gets the whole country familiar with our team. It gets our young core exposure to the big dance, so even if they only get one game it sets them up to be more relaxed in future trips. It gives our athletics department much needed revenue, I assume more than we'd get from NIT home games. It gives our program more to sell when it comes to scheduling. It puts us in position to possibly be ranked going into next season. I'm not going to piss on an NIT invite this season, but one in done in the tournament is always better than the NIT, no matter the run you get.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 9 years ago

I don't care about 2-3 games of extra development for the players currently on the team. Making the NCAA tournament for even one game is far better than 2-3 games in the NIT. Not even a question. Better for the current players, better for recruiting, better for the fan base, coaches, everybody.

Ram in Phila · Unread post by **Ram in Phila** » 9 years ago

I don't even think it is a question that an NCAA bid would far out weigh a deep run in the NIT. Nothing can simulate for the players traveling and playing in the first round and being on the big stage. Not to mention the effects on recruiting and excitement around the program it would generate for the future. I don't even think it is a question. Anything can happen when you get in. Look at La Salle a few years back.

steveystuds06 · Unread post by **steveystuds06** » 9 years ago

Without question the NCAA Tournament...

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

I'm going to predict an NIT berth.

However, even that is NOT a lock, unless we win a couple more games.

We should do that. I don't think we will end up a 1 seed though. More like a 2 or 3.

Winning 3 in 3 days in NY is possible, but our shooting issues will kill us in one of those games, from the floor or FT line or both. Again.

You just never know with this team, when those issues will jump up and bite us.

Next season, with more consistency, hopefully not.

So, before any of you bash me for negativity, get a reality check before doing so.

We have overachieved this season for sure. But except for our 2nd half D, last night we regressed. Badly.

I will add that the NCAA tourney is where we want to be, far more than the NIT. I just don't see it, and last night reinforces that belief.

I thought we had moved past that kind of shooting performance. I really did. Fooled again.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

NCAA.s hands down.
Any idea what that would do for recruiting?
The NIT sucks, and this isn't 1963, when it meant
something.
NIT IS a lock, because of Hurley. Period.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

The name of the most popular section of our KeaneyBlue message board is NCAAs or Bust!

That's what we want, nothing less.

We are in first place in the A10 on February 26th. When has that ever been the case?

Win the League, win the A10 tournament. Our two sophomores and our two freshmen starters online to improve and are now playing like juniors and sophomores.

No excuses, no apologies, let's take this. Why NOT us?

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 9 years ago

No one should ever want to go to the NIT. The NCAA is the goal.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Obviously an NCAA is better for the program in every way. But I do think that the NIT would be much better for this group than it was for Baron's later teams who topped out at that point. I'd still see the NIT as a good thing.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Well, yes, the NIT is better than our four previous losing seasons,
and does provide a reward for the great progress and effort the
program has made.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

But it should never be confused with the NCAA. All players and coaches on this team want the NCAA first and foremost. We are in first place.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

ramster wrote:But it should never be confused with the NCAA. All players and coaches on this team want the NCAA first and foremost. We are in first place.

OK, but who needs to have that pointed out to them, other than our former coach?

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Ramster, of course we want the NCAA. Big time.

Man, a win last night, and we would be in the driver's seat for the league title. Outright.

We still have a shot at it, but it's much less likely now.

It's just ridiculously frustrating to get that close, and let it slip away.

Even MORE frustrating, to realize that even though we're young, we might be the best team talent wise in the league, even with VCU's injury issues.

But until we win these types of games, we're not.

Section104 · Unread post by **Section104** » 9 years ago

Thanks Rambone. I wasn't able to figure out how you felt about last night and where we stand from the first 2000 posts of yours that said the same exact thing.

Give it up. It's absolutely painful to read the same thing over and over and over on every. single. thread.

Rhodyhooopz · Unread post by **Rhodyhooopz** » 9 years ago

Agreed. We all want NCAA's. it's been a long time since 99.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

I think it's a good thing that there's a very short turnaround until Saturday's game.

Less time to agonize over this one.

If you don't like the posts, 104, don't read them. Thank you.

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 9 years ago

Isn't the title of this forum "NCAAs or Bust!" So yes, I'll take a loss, even a blowout, in the NCAA tourney over a deep run in the NIT any day of the week.

NOTHING would beat the feeling of seeing "Rhode Island" come across our TV screens on Selection Sunday.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

TruePoint wrote:
ramster wrote:But it should never be confused with the NCAA. All players and coaches on this team want the NCAA first and foremost. We are in first place.
OK, but who needs to have that pointed out to them, other than our former coach?

Um,
Anyone who still thinks they were 100 percent right on Davidson?

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

That doesn't make any sense, AND I'm still waiting patiently for someone to explain to me how I was wrong. The game went exactly how I expected, except that we shot horribly.

neil · Unread post by **neil** » 9 years ago

For fifteen years, I sit on my couch on Sunday in March for two reasons, 1. to see where uconn is seeded hoping that they will trip up somewhere, and 2. to do the same thing with PC or applaud that they, too, are not dancing. I'm real tired of that. Rather sneak into the dance and lose than go to the Not Interested Tournament.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 9 years ago

NCAA of course.......the NIT; only....." it's part of the process....."

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

Of course the NCAA's. Not even close. But, I can live with the NIT if we don't make it. It is a better tournament than years ago, when the big arenas got all the home games, etc. It was a complete farce.
One thing I don't want is to play in the Baron Invitational Tournament (can't even think of the name).

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

The CBI? Coach Baron Invitational.
Looks like some trolls invaded their board.

RamZone72 · Unread post by **RamZone72** » 9 years ago

NCAA no question..

Rhody72 · Unread post by **Rhody72** » 9 years ago

The loss to Davidson was devastating. I'm not sure what it will do to this team's psychy.

We have three tough upcoming games. The team could fold like a lawn chair and go 0-3, or it could learn a lesson and go 3-0 and be favorites in the A10 tournament.

In any case, an NCAA at-large berth is lost.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

No more comments from Baron VonShithouse????

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Don't know. Seems their board crashed yet, again.
We had a board that looked like that on Projo, back in
the early 2000's.
Oh, and it was Baron von Schithaus.

Da_Process_Survivor · Unread post by **Da_Process_Survivor** » 9 years ago

Rhody72 wrote:The loss to Davidson was devastating. I'm not sure what it will do to this team's psychy.

We have three tough upcoming games. The team could fold like a lawn chair and go 0-3, or it could learn a lesson and go 3-0 and be favorites in the A10 tournament.

In any case, an NCAA at-large berth is lost.

you mean like last time they got beat by a soul crushing 3, then went out and won the next 3 by an average of 14.5 pts?

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

I think they rise out of it. Getting beat by 1 where most had a chance to change that outcome has to make them focus even more.

1 minute to go with a 4 point lead with Hassan at the line. I mean look at his box score. IT IS FREAKISH. 17 and 15? I think...

Crush Lasalle. Davidson was a scrimmage for Dayton. Win senior night for once. MArch into Brooklyn.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

You know, those two teams are pretty similar.
Davidson is a bit bigger, maybe not as athletic.
I still think, pound it inside to Hassan and let him go crazy.
Of course, if he gets fouled.....
Hack a Hass.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

yea I thought these games set up good for each other the Davidson/Dayton.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:You know, those two teams are pretty similar.
Davidson is a bit bigger, maybe not as athletic.
I still think, pound it inside to Hassan and let him go crazy.
Of course, if he gets fouled.....
Hack a Hass.

Thing with that is Dayton doesn't have the depth to Hack-a-Hass. They have 6 scholarship players and a walk-on who plays significant minutes.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Hassan is not a dreadful FT shooter. Last night was tough, but he came into the game right around 62%, which isn't terrific but also wouldn't warrant a strategy of sending the guy to the line 16 times - especially when you don't have the depth to withstand that kind of foul trouble. He's also had some nights where he has shot it well (4-4, 7-8, etc.) and other nights where he has struggled (last night's 3-9 and a few others). So he could burn you if you sent him to the line a ton of times.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Hassan was on with Don and Steve after a game early in the year. It might have been after the first game, Pace. They were talking about free throws. Hassan said his goal was to shoot 85% from the line this year. He was serious.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

I notice he basically emulates EC at the line. He was kinda hot at the line for a while.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 9 years ago

I loved the way Gibbs shot FTs. As soon as the ref passed him the ball, he would step into it and shoot. No dribble, ball spin, or anything. Totally in rhythm and would take the nerves and thinking out of it.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

That's the basis of the "rapid fire" drill that Kevin Ollie got
from a Steve Nash tape.
Just shoot a load of free throws as fast as possible.
Ollie says it helped UConn in their great NCAA run,
where they never seemed to miss at the line.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

They were also gifted like 10 And1 plays against St Josephs to start that run.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 9 years ago

A very wise man stated it thusly: Better to be blown out by 40 in the first round of the NCAA tournament than to win the NIT....

brady1 · Unread post by **brady1** » 9 years ago

The nit sucks. It's all about THE DANCE!

GO RHODY!

KillSteenKill · Unread post by **KillSteenKill** » 9 years ago

I would still consider the season a success and a launching point for next year if they made it to the NIT this year. I understand we would all rather see them Ncaa bound. While the youth is positive for the long term it might be the difference between NCAA and NIT this year.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

Ramulous wrote:A very wise man stated it thusly: Better to be blown out by 40 in the first round of the NCAA tournament than to win the NIT....

Was he Socrates?

kal-65 · Unread post by **kal-65** » 9 years ago

ncaa for the prestige,monetary reward,and the recruiting bump

the Not Invited Tournament isn't as popular as it was in 40's & 50's.we might get a game on espn

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

Look at the other teams schedules that are tied with us, VCU plays Dayton on saturday. That has to soften up Dayton for us... NOT TO MENTION, one of them must lose that game.

I hope it is a close game and the rumored to be fatigued Dayton squad is taken to the brink. It is hard to hit shots on tired legs.

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 9 years ago

It's a pretty dumb comparison - but I think I get what you are saying.

It's a no brainer what is better - for both team experience, for the program, for the school, for the fans, for recruiting, for everything.

A one and done weekend in the NCAA is 50x better than winning the NIT. Just to be there means so much.

However, in a departure from the latter end of the Baron years - the NIT is meant for teams like ours currently. It is not a tournament for senior-laden, experienced teams.

It is a tourney meant for young teams that are close but not "there" yet. That's why the goal was the NIT this year. Realistically, the goal for any reputable program (and what should be expected of a URI team), especially after a rebuild, year 2 NIT, year 3 NCAA, year 4 NCAA run. We're certainly on that track with the last 2 recruiting classes we've pulled in.

Before anyone corrects me to say this is Hurley's 3rd year - notice I said "reputable program." This program after CPK (still a thing) left it was anything but reputable. You could make a case that it was at a -1 or -2. Any other coach but Hurley would have struggled mightily to get us to where we are right now in 4 or 5 years after that.

To rationally expect an at-large bid for a team of 2 sophomore and 2 freshman starters is absurd unless you're talking about kentucky. For a team being literally resurrected Lazarus style, with only 2 years of your coach's recruits, that has been an afterthought in a high-major conference - the NIT was a lofty goal in itself.

But our coach is a Hurley, his players are animals, and all they want is to win. So their goal was to win a conference tournament championship - which is more attainable at this point that it has been at any time in the past 15 years.

rjsuperfly66 · Unread post by **rjsuperfly66** » 9 years ago

Nothing compares to make the NCAA. The media coverage, the atmosphere, the pace of play, the officiating, the timeouts, the game is a different animal. The last minute of regulation in some games last year was 15+ minutes. Between the pressure and preparation, I think it's just a different animal from the NIT.

That said, I don't always view the NIT as a bad thing. When you look at other teams who make deep runs in the NIT, the younger teams with solid cores almost always end up on a strong trajectory for the NCAA in future years. That extra 2 weeks of practice and potential 1-4 extra games in the NIT can be very beneficial in a different way.

I think the worst mentality some programs can have is "NCAA or who cares." Too many times programs could benefit from the extra time but just throw away their first or second NIT game because the team isn't focused and just mails it in, and because the fan base doesn't care because it's "The NIT."

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