Big East 2024 Offseason

[CTWarrior]

But isn't that a risk every time you show up for basketball practice? Or play pickup ball with some friends?

I think it would be a shame if players start treating the NIT like football players treat the Pro Bowl.

This

[Ellenson Guerrero]

But isn't that a risk every time you show up for basketball practice? Or play pickup ball with some friends?

I think it would be a shame if players start treating the NIT like football players treat the Pro Bowl.

Yea, there is certainly a risk every day, but it’s heightened during a competitive basketball game. If anyone cared about the NIT, it would be one thing, but there just is no reason to add to your risk for so little upside.

[milwaukee ex-pat]

Yea, there is certainly a risk every day, but it’s heightened during a competitive basketball game. If anyone cared about the NIT, it would be one thing, but there just is no reason to add to your risk for so little upside.

This pretty much sums up the argument for not playing.  I don't agree.  You play to support your teammates - it may not draw a lot of fan interest but its is a tournament where you play for a championship in MSG - that provides a lot of motivation to the players themselves.  Basketball is not football - the risk isn't remotely comparable.  If you are a competitor and a good teammate you should play.  Just my 2 cents...

[JakeBarnes]

This pretty much sums up the argument for not playing.  I don't agree.  You play to support your teammates - it may not draw a lot of fan interest but its is a tournament where you play for a championship in MSG - that provides a lot of motivation to the players themselves.  Basketball is not football - the risk isn't remotely comparable.  If you are a competitor and a good teammate you should play.  Just my 2 cents...

When the options are "Play a meaningless game" or "Sit out and protect my draft stock for those sweet sweet millions in generational wealth for a first round contract" I always go with the latter. There are 30 regular season games showing that they were a good competitor and teammate. A game that means nothing isn't worth it.

[source?]

The whole Dayton team skipped the NIT this year and they don't have any NBA prospects. I wonder how often that happens.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

The whole Dayton team skipped the NIT this year and they don't have any NBA prospects. I wonder how often that happens.

They had a bunch of injuries that required surgery. 

[Galway Eagle]

The whole Dayton team skipped the NIT this year and they don't have any NBA prospects. I wonder how often that happens.

Thought Holmes was a prospect? Or was that just announcer hype?

[Galway Eagle]

When the options are "Play a meaningless game" or "Sit out and protect my draft stock for those sweet sweet millions in generational wealth for a first round contract" I always go with the latter. There are 30 regular season games showing that they were a good competitor and teammate. A game that means nothing isn't worth it.

This 100%, If you have a legit shot at millions of dollars it doesn't matter if the risk is negligible, if it's 1/100 and you're the 1 who loses their chance then a lot of good those stats did.

Plus if you aren't coming back anyways there's no point is supporting your teammates on the court by taking away development from the next generation. Sit on the sideline and be a supportive teammate sure but if you're graduating that's development time for the next batch of players. 

[Spotcheck Billy]

but its is a tournament where you play for a championship in MSG -

This isn't your father's NIT. The NIT finals are no longer in MSG but in Las Vegas like seemingly everything else.

[muhoosier260]

This is the third year of a rotating NIT, only the second time not in NYC. '24- Indy, '23- Vegas, '22- Madison Square Garden, '21- Texas. Badger fans are buying up the Indy tickets ahead of next season.

[warriorchick]

When the options are "Play a meaningless game" or "Sit out and protect my draft stock for those sweet sweet millions in generational wealth for a first round contract" I always go with the latter. There are 30 regular season games showing that they were a good competitor and teammate. A game that means nothing isn't worth it.

So you would have been okay with Markus sitting out the NIT the year we played in it?

[rocket surgeon]

i'd rather go to vegas over NYC 1000%

[rocket surgeon]

The whole Dayton team skipped the NIT this year and they don't have any NBA prospects. I wonder how often that happens.

i know a team that skipped the ncaa in favor of the NIT

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

So you would have been okay with Markus sitting out the NIT the year we played in it?

His senior year? Not a problem at all.

[warriorchick]

His senior year? Not a problem at all.

You can get injured your junior year at the NIT as well.  What's the difference?

Don't forget that he hadn't announced whether he was going to stay or not at that point.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

You can get injured your junior year at the NIT as well.  What's the difference?

They would be sitting out to protect their draft status. Like the Nova players are.

[Herman Cain]

Cooley on Kentucky

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/ed-cooley-compares-kentuckys-size-length-big-east-foe-uconn/

[JakeBarnes]

So you would have been okay with Markus sitting out the NIT the year we played in it?

His senior year, yeah. But that wasn't his senior year. College is great,  but blowing your knee out and losing out on potential millions a few months after for a glorified exhibition doesn't make sense for an NBA prospect. This is why football players also sit out of the TaxAct 1099 Bowl Presented by swisher sweet vape pens for a 6 win team. There's nothing worth playing for unless you're trying to build on something for next year--and those guys aren't because they won't be there next year.

[Carl]

When the options are "Play a meaningless game" or "Sit out and protect my draft stock for those sweet sweet millions in generational wealth for a first round contract" I always go with the latter. There are 30 regular season games showing that they were a good competitor and teammate. A game that means nothing isn't worth it.

You’re right, they’re wrong. No sense arguing. Always just end up with some self righteous sentiment about seeing things through, being a good teammate, “the risk is so low”. Meaningless games are just that. Only problem I’ve had with it had some huge caveats. I think there was a star OSU football player this year that sat out the playoff game. Buttttt….. he was a projected top 10 pick that had been hurt all year and had just gotten cleared to play from yet another injury. That guy gets a big time hall pass. Do what everybody in every other walk of life does and maximize your chances for a successful, happy life

[lawdog77]

You’re right, they’re wrong. No sense arguing. Always just end up with some self righteous sentiment about seeing things through, being a good teammate, “the risk is so low”. Meaningless games are just that. Only problem I’ve had with it had some huge caveats. I think there was a star OSU football player this year that sat out the playoff game. Buttttt….. he was a projected top 10 pick that had been hurt all year and had just gotten cleared to play from yet another injury. That guy gets a big time hall pass. Do what everybody in every other walk of life does and maximize your chances for a successful, happy life

At that point, being a "good teammate" would be to let the underclassmen/bench players get some minutes.

[1SE]

Ok, but then why should any athlete play any meaningless game. If you are an NBA prospect and it's clear your team is out of contention for the tournament by February, why not shut it down then? Are those remaining games any more meaningful than the NIT?

[lawdog77]

Ok, but then why should any athlete play any meaningless game. If you are an NBA prospect and it's clear your team is out of contention for the tournament by February, why not shut it down then? Are those remaining games any more meaningful than the NIT?

Conference tournament to get the autobid.

[Dr. Blackheart]

When the options are "Play a meaningless game" or "Sit out and protect my draft stock for those sweet sweet millions in generational wealth for a first round contract" I always go with the latter. There are 30 regular season games showing that they were a good competitor and teammate. A game that means nothing isn't worth it.

Then Villanova should have passed on the invite like UNC did.

[MU82]

Are there really Scoopers who think that a projected top-10 pick who already missed a chunk of this season with a serious injury should have participated in the effen NIT?

[lawdog77]

Are there really Scoopers who think that a projected top-10 pick who already missed a chunk of this season with a serious injury should have participated in the effen NIT?

In a Venn diagram, probably the same ones who don't think players should make $$