(AP) New York, N.Y.
NIT officials excitedly congratulated each other upon learning that perenial participant Marquette University will again be competing in the NIT in 2007. Marquette, under the direction of Coach Tom Crean, will be returning to the NIT after a one year absence while participating in the NCAA tournament. Said Crean, "obviously, we are thrilled to extend our season, considering it is doubtful we'll get into the BIGEAST tournament. Because of our name recognition, we'll likely host a few games. It's a credit to our program and our fans." NIT officials seconded Crean's comments. "As long as Marquette relies on poor shooting, turnovers, weak inside play, they'll always have a home in the NIT," said Will Hopkins, Operations Management for the NIT.
A joke of course...or I at least I hope it is!
it is humorous, ill give you credit on that. however, 1 correction. we can't go to the NIT if we don't make it the Big East tourney. chances are that the teams that miss the tourney won't have a winning record overall. if we lose as many games as people are now predicting, then we will wind up with a losing record overall, even with all our wins over the past couple months, and then would be held out of all post season participation. that would be a sad day.
A winning record overall requires 3 conference wins, which should still miss the conference tournament. I think even this team can win 3 more games, but with the way they're playing they have a better chance of heading to Madison Square Garden after rolling through the NIT than by having a less than disastrous Big East season.
I know this will sound like heresy to some here, but would playing in the NIT this year be the end of the world? I have not given up on this team; however, with a team this young, the extra games and competition may be what they need (as opposed to a 1st round NCAA loss). Many teams have gone deep into the NIT -- and learned how to win -- a year before they were able to step up and advance in the NCAA.