New NIT Selection Criteria

by **tribecalledquest** » October 22nd, 2024, 12:26 pm

The NIT has updated the selection protocol for the postseason event. The release is here - but basically league regular season champions get an auto bid again - but the champion has to be 125 or better in the metrics formula. MOST seasons the MVC should be ok here - but interesting.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/ ... ee-members

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by **unipanther99** » October 22nd, 2024, 12:34 pm

Also the top metric team not making the NCAA in the top 12 conferences (again, we should be good here) should be selected as an exempt team and host first round.

All-in-all, I see this as a positive change. We weren't going to get a seat at the Fox postseason tournament table anyway. Seems like with the SEC and ACC doubling down on the NIT, it should be around for a while.

by **tribecalledquest** » October 22nd, 2024, 12:38 pm

unipanther99 wrote:Also the top metric team not making the NCAA in the top 12 conferences (again, we should be good here) should be selected as an exempt team and host first round.

All-in-all, I see this as a positive change. We weren't going to get a seat at the Fox postseason tournament table anyway. Seems like with the SEC and ACC doubling down on the NIT, it should be around for a while.

Agreed.

The NIT is a very good tournament and making it should be considered a successful season for any MVC team.

by **IllinoisState** » October 22nd, 2024, 1:24 pm

I'm not sure if this is an improvement over what they previously changed the requirement to, but make no mistake there will be more changes to either the NIT or NCAA tournament to disenfranchise non-power teams.

by **ReZyNeZy** » October 22nd, 2024, 1:58 pm

IllinoisState wrote:I'm not sure if this is an improvement over what they previously changed the requirement to, but make no mistake there will be more changes to either the NIT or NCAA tournament to disenfranchise non-power teams.

I dont think that would be the decision that the power teams want to, or are going to make. Despite how much it stings, the NCAA tournament is as popular as it is because a school in the middle of nowhere can beat Kentucky, Purdue, IU, UCONN, ect... If you disenfranchise non-power teams from the NCAA tournament, the amount of watchers, and money to be made, goes with it. The SEC commissioners words at the beginning of March Madness was not indicative of the opinions of the majority of Power Teams. He is a football guy and knows little to nothing about basketball and how the NCAAMB tournament functions.

by **IllinoisState** » October 22nd, 2024, 3:36 pm

ReZyNeZy wrote:
IllinoisState wrote:I'm not sure if this is an improvement over what they previously changed the requirement to, but make no mistake there will be more changes to either the NIT or NCAA tournament to disenfranchise non-power teams.

I dont think that would be the decision that the power teams want to, or are going to make. Despite how much it stings, the NCAA tournament is as popular as it is because a school in the middle of nowhere can beat Kentucky, Purdue, IU, UCONN, ect... If you disenfranchise non-power teams from the NCAA tournament, the amount of watchers, and money to be made, goes with it. The SEC commissioners words at the beginning of March Madness was not indicative of the opinions of the majority of Power Teams. He is a football guy and knows little to nothing about basketball and how the NCAAMB tournament functions.

I know that basketball is more reliant on non-power schools than football, but they have already shown they are willing to throw schools under the bus to make them more money. It's going to keep happening until there's a breaking point. They haven't even involved private equity yet.

by **tribecalledquest** » October 22nd, 2024, 3:58 pm

Every single league in college sports looks out for itself first. Always have, always will. That includes the Missouri Valley Conference.

If you offered the same money to MVC schools that P5’s get and, in return they would have to forget about all other non P5’s - every single MVC President would jump on that option - no questions asked.

by **BCPanther** » October 22nd, 2024, 5:38 pm

The next step is to figure out how to, at least, get in the selection pool for the new FOX tournament

We're not going to get a guaranteed bid there but it would be great to have a shot in a year where there are enough B12, B10, BE, MW teams that opt out that we could grab a spot.

by **PretzelDawg** » October 23rd, 2024, 11:30 am

tribecalledquest wrote:Every single league in college sports looks out for itself first. Always have, always will. That includes the Missouri Valley Conference.

If you offered the same money to MVC schools that P5’s get and, in return they would have to forget about all other non P5’s - every single MVC President would jump on that option - no questions asked.

Totally agree. When I saw that the Top 12 conferences would get a team into the tournament, I was fine. I don't really care about the bottom half of leagues in the NCAAs. However, I want to see Valley teams, specifically SIU at least have a chance to be in the NCAA Tourney or the NIT if they quality.

by **ReZyNeZy** » October 23rd, 2024, 1:50 pm

The new requirements can also be used in expansion efforts. Either for being more selective of who you pick so they do not drag the league out of the top 12. Or as a bargaining chip to those same potential members that you are consistently good enough to qualify for postseason tournaments.