List of teams opting out of NIT:
Belmont
Virginia Tech
San Diego State
Seton Hall
Indiana
Florida State
Oklahoma
I'm sure every team has their own rationale, but it likely has everything to do with focusing on next year's roster and/or spending more money than they'll earn. Not sure how Shaka would have responded had things gone differently this year.
Hey, the field for The Crown will be announced later today. So who knows...
Quote from: The Sultan on March 16, 2026, 08:03:19 AMHey, the field for The Crown will be announced later today. So who knows...
Seton Hall is also declining The Crown.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 16, 2026, 08:03:19 AMHey, the field for The Crown will be announced later today. So who knows...
Believe they take top two remaining BE, B10, and B12 teams then add two more. Standing wise the top remaining BE teams are Creighton, DePaul, and Marquette.
If it interferes with the portal window I'd pass, otherwise I'd have no problems with it. Gives the guys a chance to win some money.
Side note: If a 12-20 team is in contention for your tournament you should probably not have said tournament.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 09:26:57 AMBelieve they take top two remaining BE, B10, and B12 teams then add two more. Standing wise the top remaining BE teams are Creighton, DePaul, and Marquette.
If it interferes with the portal window I'd pass, otherwise I'd have no problems with it. Gives the guys a chance to win some money.
Side note: If a 12-20 team is in contention for your tournament you should probably not have said tournament.
I mean if we went out there and basically only played Royce Owens James Stephens & Philips then go for it. Even if we get blasted just one more stretch of practice and game(s). But rolling out there with guys who are dead men walking or graduating would be a huge waste
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 09:26:57 AMBelieve they take top two remaining BE, B10, and B12 teams then add two more. Standing wise the top remaining BE teams are Creighton, DePaul, and Marquette.
If it interferes with the portal window I'd pass, otherwise I'd have no problems with it. Gives the guys a chance to win some money.
Side note: If a 12-20 team is in contention for your tournament you should probably not have said tournament.
I now see it's based on NET so Creighton, Butler, and Georgetown would be ahead of us.
So Big East teams can turn down The Crown? They are not obligated by the Big East's contract with FOX?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 10:26:29 AMI now see it's based on NET so Creighton, Butler, and Georgetown would be ahead of us.
As they should. Our team honked big time this year. What a disgrace of a season.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on March 16, 2026, 11:02:22 AMSo Big East teams can turn down The Crown? They are not obligated by the Big East's contract with FOX?
I also thought they were obligated to take part. Maybe the conference is just required to commit at least two teams?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 10:26:29 AMI now see it's based on NET so Creighton, Butler, and Georgetown would be ahead of us.
As they should. Our team honked big time this year. What a disgrace of a season.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 09:26:57 AMBelieve they take top two remaining BE, B10, and B12 teams then add two more. Standing wise the top remaining BE teams are Creighton, DePaul, and Marquette.
If it interferes with the portal window I'd pass, otherwise I'd have no problems with it. Gives the guys a chance to win some money.
Side note: If a 12-20 team is in contention for your tournament you should probably not have said tournament.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on March 16, 2026, 09:34:04 AMI mean if we went out there and basically only played Royce Owens James Stephens & Philips then go for it. Even if we get blasted just one more stretch of practice and game(s). But rolling out there with guys who are dead men walking or graduating would be a huge waste
It's be interesting if there was a 3 v 3 tournament out there, where we could role out James, Stephens, and Royce and see how they would do.
Matta just retired FWIW
So 3 in tourney, Hall said no, PC no coach, Creighton said yes, Butler no coach, if Gtown says no, MU may have to make a decision.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 09:26:57 AMIf it interferes with the portal window I'd pass, otherwise I'd have no problems with it.
The portal is always open, but the notification window doesn't start until 4/7. Could see some entries prior to that (e.g., coaching changes; grads!) and probably more importantly.. there may be backroom convo's going on.
Nonetheless, would love to see the guys keep practicing and play in some more games.
So 5 of the 6 that didn't have a coaching change declined a bid. So much for the supposed contract. Nice tourney.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on March 16, 2026, 09:34:04 AMI mean if we went out there and basically only played Royce Owens James Stephens & Philips then go for it. Even if we get blasted just one more stretch of practice and game(s). But rolling out there with guys who are dead men walking or graduating would be a huge waste
Agree. Might be a stretch to even have 7 available players for that. These post season tournaments need to just go away as most teams are in the same boat.
Edit: field was announced. Not in.
Creighton the only BE school in The Crown.
Quote from: Nukem2 on March 16, 2026, 05:00:54 PMCreighton the only BE school in The Crown.
So much for the two from each conference thing.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 05:20:29 PMSo much for the two from each conference thing.
The Crown is easy to me...
April 1st / 2nd
April 4th
April 5th
All one location
You know all you're variables. Take next year's players and win.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 16, 2026, 05:20:29 PMSo much for the two from each conference thing.
I'm wondering if Seton Hall saying they weren't going anywhere gave them the out they needed to choose someone else.
Quote from: The Lens on March 16, 2026, 07:23:42 PMThe Crown is easy to me...
April 1st / 2nd
April 4th
April 5th
All one location
You know all you're variables. Take next year's players and win.
probably why a school like Oklahoma passed on the NIT (I'm assuming they were invited), accepted the Crown.
Wardle's Bradley and Auburn are in the NIT. Remember this shot. In a March 16, 1998, "Bradley" Center No Pun Intended NIT second-round game, Marquette freshman Brian Wardle hit a dramatic 3-pointer from the left baseline with five seconds left, forcing overtime after Marquette erased a 5-point deficit in the final 24 seconds against Auburn, as Marquette won 75-60 after scoring all 15 points in overtime.
Why does no one give a rat's a$$ when a team declines the NIT but it was an affront against the athletic gods when Notre Dame turned down the Pop-Tarts Bowl?
Quote from: DienerTime34 on March 17, 2026, 10:46:32 AMWhy does no one give a rat's a$$ when a team declines the NIT but it was an affront against the athletic gods when Notre Dame turned down the Pop-Tarts Bowl?
Because people aren't crying that whoever is declining an NIT offer would win a national title if they didn't get screwed by the committee.
Quote from: Viper on March 17, 2026, 09:43:38 AMprobably why a school like Oklahoma passed on the NIT (I'm assuming they were invited), accepted the Crown.
300k for NIL seems like a drop in the bucket in today's environment for winning the tournament. If the teams are not getting travel and lodging expenses is it even worth the trip especially if you don't make the semi final round.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on March 17, 2026, 09:44:24 AMWardle's Bradley and Auburn are in the NIT. Remember this shot. In a March 16, 1998, "Bradley" Center No Pun Intended NIT second-round game, Marquette freshman Brian Wardle hit a dramatic 3-pointer from the left baseline with five seconds left, forcing overtime after Marquette erased a 5-point deficit in the final 24 seconds against Auburn, as Marquette won 75-60 after scoring all 15 points in overtime.
Wardle hit some big shots during his playing days. That winner at The Ville? Bingo!
I might've been the only MU fan in the opposite side of Freedom Hall that day. Deane's actions after the game even made it a little sketchy for me getting back to the car after the game (went with a buddy who's a UL fan who was living in Lexington at the time and his roommate). And might've been the only MU fan in the opposite side of FH on the Hutch shot, too.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on March 17, 2026, 09:44:24 AMWardle's Bradley and Auburn are in the NIT. Remember this shot. In a March 16, 1998, "Bradley" Center No Pun Intended NIT second-round game, Marquette freshman Brian Wardle hit a dramatic 3-pointer from the left baseline with five seconds left, forcing overtime after Marquette erased a 5-point deficit in the final 24 seconds against Auburn, as Marquette won 75-60 after scoring all 15 points in overtime.
The second time in my time at MU we beat Auburn in the NIT - Hutch's coming out party in 1995 was the first.
So close to a comeback win at Minnesota the next game (a since vacated win for Goldy). I'm still not sure why John Cliff got the last shot.
Had Hutch not gotten hurt then gone to war with Deane that was a tourney team.