What's better? NIT wins or NCAA loss?

[bigdawg]

Where do you stand on this? Seems like this discussion has taken place before but wondered if opinions had changed. What is better for your program. A first round NCAA loss like Indiana State or multiple wins in a lesser tournament like WSU, MSU, CU, etc.

[oneNEIGHBOR]

NCAA tourney birth is always better.

[Haha]

It's been fun watching the shox beat down Nebraska and then winning at VT. Hands down though, appearances in NCAA are what it's about! NCAA loss all the way for me!!!! Even if the shox somehow win the whole NIT, I would prefer NCAA loss.

It's like asking which is better. Winning the JV tourney or being one and done in Varsity tournament. Who cares about the JV tourney other than the parents of the kids playing? Just like nobody cares about the NIT other than the teams fans playing in it.

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

Where do you stand on this? Seems like this discussion has taken place before but wondered if opinions had changed. What is better for your program. A first round NCAA loss like Indiana State or multiple wins in a lesser tournament like WSU, MSU, CU, etc.

ISU lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. I would take losing in the second round over an NIT run, but if you lose in the first round (or play in game), I would take an extended NIT run over that because you are hardly part of the NCAA Tournament. Teams like USC and UAB weren't really a part of things.

[DieHardMSUFan]

I would agree that the NCAA tourney birth is better.

That being said, I think for mid major teams, it makes a definate statement that you should have been included in the NCAA if you make the final four or win the NIT. Beyond that, the other tourneys do not mean a bunch. I think there is more pressure on mid majors in the NIT than the NCAA. ISU was supposed to lose that game, and it did not effect anything that they lost. But, if WSU or MSU get knocked out early, then it allows all those analysts to say "I told you so." If WSU and MSU could somehow meet in the NIT finals, it could effect next year for the MVC when selection comes around.

I would say the NCAA tourney birth is better, but the NIT is not meaningless. The CBT and CIT are pretty much just for fun.

[MSUDuo]

Where do you stand on this? Seems like this discussion has taken place before but wondered if opinions had changed. What is better for your program. A first round NCAA loss like Indiana State or multiple wins in a lesser tournament like WSU, MSU, CU, etc.

ISU lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. I would take losing in the second round over an NIT run, but if you lose in the first round (or play in game), I would take an extended NIT run over that because you are hardly part of the NCAA Tournament. Teams like USC and UAB weren't really a part of things.

IIt's not an either/or to losing in the 1st round or a play-in game. They are the same things...

But, ISUb lost in the 1st round to most people. How the NCAA gets off marketing the play-in games as a full 1st round is beyond me. They are an Opening Round.

[shockem]

NCAA is where it's at no question. Now that the shox are stuck in the NIT a run with all the extra practice time and tournament experience is going to pay dividends down the road. It's good to see Murry and Stutz get back on track. I was getting very discouraged about the prospects of next year after the disappointing end to our season.

[BradleyBrave]

NCAA loss. You cannot put a price on the exposure a program gets. Every idiot in America who does a bracket reads your name at least once. The same can't be said for the NIT.

[TrueBlueJay]

This is such a stupid question / argument. There isn't one single fan on this board that at the beginning of next season would wish for winning the NIT vs. playing in the NCAA.

[iSASO]

NCAA berth. And yes, it is spelled bErth. There is no placentophagia involved in post-season basketball.