Which is better?

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BuckyGopher said:
Is this really a question? The NCAA tournament was created for the best teams, the NIT was created for the 2nd tier teams that could not make the tournament. I do not understand anybody who says the NIT run would be better than a 1 and done in the tournament (even for a younger team like the gophs).
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The NIT was created before the NCAA tournament. Also, teams used to turn down the NIT for the NCAA tournament. Today, I agree that the NIT is the tournament to decide who is the best out of the teams that aren't one of the best 68 teams (69th best team) and I would definitely rather be in the NCAA tournament, but I just wanted to share that bit of trivia.
 

bleedsmaroonandgold said:
The NIT was created before the NCAA tournament. Also, teams used to turn down the NIT for the NCAA tournament. Today, I agree that the NIT is the tournament to decide who is the best out of the teams that aren't one of the best 68 teams (69th best team) and I would definitely rather be in the NCAA tournament, but I just wanted to share that bit of trivia.
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Did not know that, thanks for the information!
 


NCAA tourney every single time.

However, that doesn't preclude a program -- especially one with with most of its roster returning -- from benefitting from playing extra games vs. teams of similar ilk (and I actually prefer the Gophers are playing on the road). As long as the Gophers are iN IT, let's see how far we can go.
 

While it's true that nobody cares about the NIT except the teams that are in it (and some of their fans), I do know that the NIT run in 1996 played a big part in the 1997 Big 10 championship and Final 4 run. Haskins and all the players said so.

And while it's true we've already played 30+ games, we haven't played very many games with the starting lineup and rotation Tubby now seems to be using (specifically, more of Hollins, who's going to be the main man next year).
 



Going 10-8 and losing in the first round of the NCAA, going to the NCAA would have been better.

Going say 7-11 and somehow getting lucky and getting into the NCAA and losing the first round, I prefer the NIT.
 

I would rather add a year to the NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES banner than add one to the NIT CHAMPIONSHIPS banner.
 

BigGopherFan said:
I would rather add a year to the NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES banner than add one to the NIT CHAMPIONSHIPS banner.[/QUOTE

Agreed. However, I'll though its been said numerous times on here, since were in the NIT, I at least want to win the damn thing.
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Art Vandelay said:
This is exactly why Tubby Smith came to Minnesota. No expectations. When a fanbase even considers this debate, that tells you a lot.

Playing in the NIT in front of 3,000-4,000 people does nothing for the development of young players. I wish people would quit throwing that cliche out there. These young players have already played 30+ games this season. Playing 2-3 more games won't hurt - but it's not really beneficial either.

Do you think Tyus Jones wants to play in the NCAA Tournament or make a run in the NIT that nobody remembers? He is as good as gone because big time programs like MSU and Duke that are recruiting him hard aren't OK with NIT appearances.
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How do you figure that the NIT does nothing for the development of young players? Not only is it extra games in a tournament environment, it is also the fact that if you lose, you go home and are done for the year. Let me put this simply. The NIT is full of teams just like the Gophers. Not quite ready for the NCAA's. Beating these other 'bubble' teams is what you need to do to take that next step. I would say that this year, the NIT is far more beneficial for the team. Hopefully we can keep the season going.
 

stocker08 said:
How do you figure that the NIT does nothing for the development of young players? Not only is it extra games in a tournament environment, it is also the fact that if you lose, you go home and are done for the year. Let me put this simply. The NIT is full of teams just like the Gophers. Not quite ready for the NCAA's. Beating these other 'bubble' teams is what you need to do to take that next step. I would say that this year, the NIT is far more beneficial for the team. Hopefully we can keep the season going.
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Agree to disagree. The goal of every single D-I basketball team is to make the NCAA Tournament - regardless of whether you think you will go one and done or win it all. The NIT is not far more beneficial this year. In fact, it's not even close. I can see it already. If the Gophers manage to make the Big Dance next year and get bounced in the first round, all of the Tubby apologists and excuse makers on this board will claim "lack of experience" because nobody on the roster has ever played in the NCAA Tournament game before. Well, they could've gotten "experience" this year.....but hey....a cute little meaningless run the NIT was more beneficial so our guys could hang out in South Beach for 5 days.

You cannot compare an NIT game against LaSalle or Miami with an NCAA Tournament game. Apples to oranges.
 

The NIT has zero benefit to THIS year's team, I completely agree with that take.

As far as NEXT year's team, I think a deep run here could prove valuable, specifically if the key parties involved include guys like the Hollins', EE, or Coleman, guys who will be here at least the next couple of seasons.

But IMO, those potential positives of an NIT run this year would not eclipse what making the NCAA tournament in the first place would have done for those players. Playing games are nice, but the confidence gained from simply getting into the Big Dance would be greater to me.
 

Art Vandelay said:
Agree to disagree. The goal of every single D-I basketball team is to make the NCAA Tournament - regardless of whether you think you will go one and done or win it all. The NIT is not far more beneficial this year. In fact, it's not even close. I can see it already. If the Gophers manage to make the Big Dance next year and get bounced in the first round, all of the Tubby apologists and excuse makers on this board will claim "lack of experience" because nobody on the roster has ever played in the NCAA Tournament game before. Well, they could've gotten "experience" this year.....but hey....a cute little meaningless run the NIT was more beneficial so our guys could hang out in South Beach for 5 days.

You cannot compare an NIT game against LaSalle or Miami with an NCAA Tournament game. Apples to oranges.
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A basketball game is a basketball game. Oranges to oranges. Whether it is in the NIT or the NCAA. A few post season wins (our first under Tubby by the way) will be big confidence builders. We clearly were not ready for the NCAA's. Put us in the tournament where we can stay competitive and see how the players respond.
 



stocker08 said:
A basketball game is a basketball game. Oranges to oranges. Whether it is in the NIT or the NCAA. A few post season wins (our first under Tubby by the way) will be big confidence builders. We clearly were not ready for the NCAA's. Put us in the tournament where we can stay competitive and see how the players respond.
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One game (a loss) in the NCAA Tournament is more "beneficial" than 1-5 games in the NIT.

Simple as that. Not one single coach, player, trainer, AD, or video coordinator would see it any other way.

Oh, and please don't consider these NIT W's as post-season wins. That's like counting Spring Training stats in baseball.
 

Art Vandelay said:
One game (a loss) in the NCAA Tournament is more "beneficial" than 1-5 games in the NIT.

Simple as that. Not one single coach, player, trainer, AD, or video coordinator would see it any other way.

Oh, and please don't consider these NIT W's as post-season wins. That's like counting Spring Training stats in baseball.
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Well should I consider them pre-season games?
 

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