CBI

[rhodyrudder]

Many here say no thanks to a 3rd rate, pay-to-play event...
"We're exhausted, let's end on the high of the last three weeks..."
I say no, I want more.
This is a young team with a first-year coach, and I want more.
Next year we'll play 3 days in a row again in Brooklyn, and we'll be tired...
And then we'll have more games to play.
I say keep going, on to the postseason, get another home game or two, get some decent competition, and maybe win a title.
Obviously it's up to David and the boys, but it's not like this is an underachieving team that just wants to pack up and get on with summer.

[rambone 78]

I think it might depend on the overall physical condition of the team.

Several of them are banged up. Harris won't be OK for a while.

Tyrese's knee will likely take some time...Fatts's back?

Tate's toe? A lot of questions.

[Blue Man]

In these situations I defer to the coach.

If he wants it? I want it. For the reasons mentioned.

If he doesn’t? Fine with me. We’re much more banged up than has been let on. If the team needs to rest and get ready for next year that’s good too.

Jeff. Cyril. Fatts. All leaders with that championship DNA.

Dana. Rese. Jermaine and Omar. Got a taste and will be hungry next year no matter what.

[rambone 78]

I will say this...if they are invited and accept...just give their best effort. [I'm sure they will]

Otherwise there is no point in playing in it.

I've seen too many NIT games where some teams just don't seem to care....especially some that just missed the big show.

Probably happens in the CBI too.

[bpaz11]

If there ever was a year to accept a CBI invite this is the year. We have everyone back but 1 player who doesn't log many minutes anyway. Any tournament experience can only help this team going forward. That being said, if the injuries they have are going to hold them back from giving their best effort or cause guys to get hurt even worse then I can understand passing on it.

[adam914]

I guess I agree with Blue Man, defer to the coach on this one, but I don't see the benefit. Not sure I buy the tournament experience argument. I'm not sure how much playing a game against UT Rio Grande Valley, Central Arkansas or Colgate (teams that were in the CBI last year) really helps prep you for the real tournament you hope to be in next season. Teams play on their home courts, so you aren't even getting that normal tournament setting. I don't know, I'm struggling to see the benefit.

[ramster]

From the Projo

The offseason conversation will carry a different tone after URI answered a five-game losing streak with a strong finish. Preston and former walk-on Will Leviton are the only projected departures from a roster that should be deeper and more experienced in 2019-20. The Rams are unlikely to be invited to the National Invitation Tournament, and Cox’s postgame response on Saturday made it seem unlikely URI would accept a bid to the College Basketball Invitational or CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

“It should be a confident group of young men,” Cox said. “Now they know what it takes to win and to compete at a very, very high level. So that bodes well for the future.”

https://www.providencejournal.com/sport ... tournament

[RF1]

JUST SAY NO - Have some self respect.

[Taylor Swift]

No way to CBI.

[reef]

If it was up to me I woukd say play in the CBI just so the season won’t end but if the coach and players don’t want to play then I am good with that too

[TruePoint]

I’m generally of the same opinion on this as RF1 - these off-brand tournaments are beneath programs at our level. I’m also with Blue Man, though, that if the coach really saw a benefit to getting some extra games for this group to work on some things, I like this team enough now that I’d watch them. I think it’s very unlikely that the coach and the team would feel they have a lot to gain here and that they’d see the games as more a nuisance than anything, considering the physical condition of the team and the mental exhaustion from the season overall.

The sooner the off-season starts the sooner we can start getting better for next season. If it were up to me, I would not delay that to play in a fake tournament that is basically just exhibition games tacked onto the end of the season.

[ATPTourFan]

Shut it down this year. No reason I see, with the current state of our roster, to push things for a pay-to-play tournament.

[Billyboy78]

Can I be selfish and say I wouldn't mind seeing one more game at the RC this year? But I agree, if it doesn't benefit the team in any way, don't do it.

[rhodylaw]

I think it depends heavily on who else accepts a bid to these tourneys. Lot of really solid programs in the 90 to 140 range of the Net ratings. You could make a nice tournament if the teams accepted.

[theblueram]

I don't think we should ever play in the CBI.

[RF1]

This was the 16 team 2018 CBI Field:

Eastern Washington
Utah Valley
Colgate
San Francisco
Miami (Ohio)
Campbell
UTRGV
New Orleans
North Texas
South Dakota
Mercer
Grand Canyon
Central Arkansas
Seattle
Jacksonville State
Canisius


What real benefit would playing these types of teams provide?

[theblueram]

I just hope the A10 Conference has a rule barring teams from playing in this "tournament".

[Rhodyram]

This was the 16 team 2018 CBI Field:

Eastern Washington
Utah Valley
Colgate
San Francisco
Miami (Ohio)
Campbell
UTRGV
New Orleans
North Texas
South Dakota
Mercer
Grand Canyon
Central Arkansas
Seattle
Jacksonville State
Canisius


What real benefit would playing these types of teams provide?

I don’t know if I’d want any of these teams on my regular season schedule, let alone a postseason tourney

[scine20]

Didn’t they play in this in Baron’s second to last year and get like 1500 in attendance?

No thanks. This is a tournament meant for low to mid-majors, not teams in probably the 8th biggest conference out of 32 in the country.

[rhodyrudder]

VCU was invited last year and declined.
The A-10 had no teams in last year's CIT either.

[rhodyrudder]

Didn’t they play in this in Baron’s second to last year and get like 1500 in attendance?

No thanks. This is a tournament meant for low to mid-majors, not teams in probably the 8th biggest conference out of 32 in the country.

2011 was the year. Attendance was low, that's for sure.
Second round was a loss in Orlando against MJ Jr.'s UCF.

[Taylor Swift]

This was the 16 team 2018 CBI Field:

Eastern Washington
Utah Valley
Colgate
San Francisco
Miami (Ohio)
Campbell
UTRGV
New Orleans
North Texas
South Dakota
Mercer
Grand Canyon
Central Arkansas
Seattle
Jacksonville State
Canisius


What real benefit would playing these types of teams provide?

I don’t know if I’d want any of these teams on my regular season schedule, let alone a postseason tourney

I’ve never even heard of Campbell before.

[Taylor Swift]

Ironically I was going through Facebook and this popped up on my memories from today. Hass, Jared, and EC look like babies.

[Rhodyram]

This was the 16 team 2018 CBI Field:

Eastern Washington
Utah Valley
Colgate
San Francisco
Miami (Ohio)
Campbell
UTRGV
New Orleans
North Texas
South Dakota
Mercer
Grand Canyon
Central Arkansas
Seattle
Jacksonville State
Canisius


What real benefit would playing these types of teams provide?

I don’t know if I’d want any of these teams on my regular season schedule, let alone a postseason tourney

I’ve never even heard of Campbell before.

I think he’s our strength coach.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Ironically I was going through Facebook and this popped up on my memories from today. Hass, Jared, and EC look like babies.

This was the game when we decided to get season tix...and we still lived in CT...

[Taylor Swift]

I don’t know if I’d want any of these teams on my regular season schedule, let alone a postseason tourney

I’ve never even heard of Campbell before.

I think he’s our strength coach.

That’s the only Campbell I know. Definitely not the school.

[NYGFan_Section208]

I’ve never even heard of Campbell before.

I think he’s our strength coach.

That’s the only Campbell I know. Definitely not the school.

"Soup"? Y'know...guy who used to close for the Sox..late 70's?

[Urifan91]

Actually Campbell made news this year cause their best player Chris Clemons averaged 30+ this year, maybe lead nation (not sure), and he scored 3000 career points

[Taylor Swift]

I think he’s our strength coach.

That’s the only Campbell I know. Definitely not the school.

"Soup"? Y'know...guy who used to close for the Sox..late 70's?

Looked them up... they’re the “Fighting Camels”. Also Red Sox and the 1970s are not my forte.

[UCH21377]

No way to these other tourneys. Even if healthy, no, but with a bunch of kids banged up no way

[Billyboy78]

The Soup Campbell I remember played for PC from '74-'78. He and Jiggy Williamson were teammates at Wilbur Cross High in Connecticut and were ranked the #1 team in the nation.

[SmartyBarrett]

I actually watched a Campbell Camels game on TV this year. The announcer mentioned something about them "getting over the hump" and I immediately turned it off.

[ace]

I remember Campbell playing Duke in the NCAA tournament- I think during one of their championship runs.

Duke’s, not Campbell’s.
Obviously.

[rhodyrudder]

will bona play in the cbi?

[ace]

Actually Campbell made news this year cause their best player Chris Clemons averaged 30+ this year, maybe lead nation (not sure), and he scored 3000 career points

Those are amazing stats at any level.

There’s a whole world of great college basketball out there.

[PeterRamTime]

If you ever got to watch chris Clemons you'd realize that he is VERY good.

May be too short, but hes got incredible athleticism.

Also, weirdest free throw shooter ever.

Look it up.

[Rhody72]

We are who we are, do not be ashamed or too proud to be who we are. Unless we are too depleted physically to play, we should accept an invitation to play. I'm really impressed with the way the team finished the season. Had we faded at season end, I would throw in the towel - no mas! I look at any opportunity for a young improving team to play more games together as a positive for the program.

[SmartyBarrett]

CBI field is announced, no URI. Brown, West Virginia, and Stony Brook are all in the mix.

[Rhodymob05]

Not a bad field, but I'm ok with this. Although I'm already feeling deprived of rams basketball.

[Rhody83]

Shocked that WVU and DePaul are paying to play in the CBI.
Big East Tournament at MSG to CBI.

[rambone 78]

Nice to see Brown in it. They had a good year.

My guess is us, Bonnies, and maybe a couple other A10 teams were invited, but declined.

[rjsuperfly66]

Shocked that WVU and DePaul are paying to play in the CBI.
Big East Tournament at MSG to CBI.

DePaul has consistently been the worst team in the Big East since they entered the conference. I’m sure they are happy to have a record good enough to qualify for a postseason tournament.

West Virginia is more interesting given their success but Huggins most have seen something there to get some additional experience for his roster that played no seniors down the stretch.

[PeterRamTime]

Pretty good field

Coulda been cool to play in it.

GO BROWN

Time to rest the players and......bring Jimmy baron in to give Fatts and master class in shooting.

[TruePoint]

I think it is an easier call for West Virginia. They’re not worried about the money and their fans don’t have anything else to do. Honestly, seeing the field, I wouldn’t have been mad if we played but I’m definitely not mad that we didn’t.

[reef]

Wow talk about night and day compared 2018 to 2019

With the 2018 field I would say no way to playing in it but with the 2019 field I woukd have been ok

[rhodyrudder]

Declined invitations:
The following programs declined an invitation to play in the CBI.

Fresno State
Bowling Green
Jacksonville State
San Francisco
BYU

per wikipedia

[Rhodymob05]

Was Harvard (18-11) really that much more deserving of a NIT bid then Rhody?

[RF1]

Was Harvard (18-11) really that much more deserving of a NIT bid then Rhody?

No. Harvard only got that NIT bid as a result of being a league champ that did not win its automatic NCAA bid with a conference tournament championship. There were several other teams with similar NIT automatic bids. You could actually argue that URI might be better than a few automatic bid teams from the bottom conferences in the NCAA as well. This is how the system works. URI was neither its league regular season or tournament champ and according was not eligible for any automatic bid to either the NCAA or NIT.

[RF1]

Wow talk about night and day compared 2018 to 2019

With the 2018 field I would say no way to playing in it but with the 2019 field I woukd have been ok

It is still a crappy field. Several (5 of 16) teams did not even have winning records. One team barely had a winning record but had a NET Rank of #306 (353 teams).


2019 CBI Field Teams/Record/NET Rank
WVU 14-20 #106
CSUN 13-20 #273
Coastal Carolina 15-16 #163
Longwood 15-17 #291
Depaul 15-15 #102
Grand Canyon 20-13 #96
Howard 17-16 #306
South Florida 19-13 #99
Stony Brook 24-8 #156
Utah Valley 24-9 #90
Central Michigan 23-11 #113
Southern Miss 20-12 #91
Cal Baptist 16-14 #165
Loyola Marymount 20-11 #142
Brown 19-11 #145
UAB 20-14 #133

D1 games only

[Rhodymob05]

I had no idea that a regular season champ is a NIT automatic bid.