What's better for the program this year NIT run or one and done?

[popeyoung5]

It's been fun to watch the NIT run and I think for this team and the program it was the best scenario vs. a one and done in the dance. Any thoughts?

 

[Gopher07]

You can't really have a one and done in the NCAAs without having more success throughout the season (i.e., hanging on against MSU, Michigan, not losing twice to Iowa). So, I think if we had made the dance, our season would've been better and it would've been better for the program.

That said, for the players and their development, I'm enjoying the run in the NIT immensely.

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

Depends on what you mean by better. Better for our young players to come together, improve, and get more experience? The NIT run. Better for recruiting? NCAA one and done.

 

[920/414 Gopher]

You can't really have a one and done in the NCAAs without having more success throughout the season (i.e., hanging on against MSU, Michigan, not losing twice to Iowa). So, I think if we had made the dance, our season would've been better and it would've been better for the program.

That said, for the players and their development, I'm enjoying the run in the NIT immensely.

This. I view it by separating what's better for the program from what's better for this current roster of guys. If we would have made the NCAAs, that would have meant that we did a better job of finding ways to win in those close games down the stretch. But the way things played out, the Gophers are obviously on a best-case scenario run for a young team that didn't make the tourney.

Are NCAA appearances better for the program? Definitely. But, under the circumstances, seeing our boys come together and win (close) games like this is huge for the direction of the program. No Mbakwe, no Sampson, no Walker, and now no Osenieks, yet they're still playing and still gaining invaluable experience. This is great for the future of the program (especially with guys like Tyus and Rashad Vaughn watching this turnaround).

 

[pharmacygopher]

You can't really have a one and done in the NCAAs without having more success throughout the season (i.e., hanging on against MSU, Michigan, not losing twice to Iowa). So, I think if we had made the dance, our season would've been better and it would've been better for the program.

That said, for the players and their development, I'm enjoying the run in the NIT immensely.

This. I view it by separating what's better for the program from what's better for this current roster of guys. If we would have made the NCAAs, that would have meant that we did a better job of finding ways to win in those close games down the stretch. But the way things played out, the Gophers are obviously on a best-case scenario run for a young team that didn't make the tourney.

Are NCAA appearances better for the program? Definitely. But, under the circumstances, seeing our boys come together and win (close) games like this is huge for the direction of the program. No Mbakwe, no Sampson, no Walker, and now no Osenieks, yet they're still playing and still gaining invaluable experience. This is great for the future of the program (especially with guys like Tyus and Rashad Vaughn watching this turnaround).

Yes and yes

 

[StCroix]

This is huge for the youth of this program. Playing in NYC is a big deal and a "taste" of the big time. Can't hurt. Besides, at this juncture there are only 8 D1 mens teams still playing and I like the fact that we are one of them.