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Here are highlights from an interesting story on the changes in the NIT (not to be confused with the WNIT which is not owned by the NCAA). Although it doesn't effect us this year overall I think the changes will be a good thing for SDSU once we get into a conference.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/14004551.htm (sub site, but it is free)
NIT is going Mad
This year’s tournament will resemble NCAA’s
By BLAIR KERKHOFFThe Kansas City Star
Get out those mock brackets and project the bubble teams. The Madness approaches for the NIT.
That’s right. The NIT.
Things are different for the National Invitation Tournament now that it’s owned by the NCAA as part of the national organization’s $56.5 million settlement of the NIT’s antitrust lawsuit in August.
Mostly, the NIT has become NCAA Tournament-ized in the selection process, all the way down to having the field selected in Indianapolis, where the NCAA bracket is constructed.
C.M. Newton is the human face of change.
He’s chairman of the first NIT selection committee.
Newton wrapped up similar duty for the NCAA seven years ago. Now he leads a six-member group that includes Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith.
“Our thought is we can make the NIT better than it has been,” said Newton, also a member of basketball’s Hall of Fame.
Changes go much deeper than an NCAA-like committee.
For the first time, the 40 teams will be seeded, and the better-seeded teams will play at home no matter the building size or fan appeal.
Previously, NIT brackets tended to favor schools with greater drawing power. The tournament wanted popular teams to advance to the semifinals in New York. Cable network ESPN, by contract, had a say in selection process. Not now.
“There’s no perceived notion who we want to come to New York,” Newton said. “The politics are gone from this.”
Conference champions that don’t earn their league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament are guaranteed a place in the NIT.
Last year, Portland State won its first Big Sky championship and enjoyed its best season as a Division I program. But the Vikings’ season was over when they fell in the league tournament semifinals because they didn’t get a call from the NIT.
“That was one of the ills we really wanted to correct,” Newton said. “There should be a reward for a team with a great season that doesn’t have a chance to win the national championship.”
Big South champion Winthrop has designs on the NCAA Tournament. But coach Gregg Marshall sees the value in the new rule.
“Our goal is to always make the NCAA Tournament, but this a fallback if you don’t happen to achieve your goal,” Marshall said. . . . (read more)
Go State! ;D
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/14004551.htm (sub site, but it is free)
NIT is going Mad
This year’s tournament will resemble NCAA’s
By BLAIR KERKHOFFThe Kansas City Star
Get out those mock brackets and project the bubble teams. The Madness approaches for the NIT.
That’s right. The NIT.
Things are different for the National Invitation Tournament now that it’s owned by the NCAA as part of the national organization’s $56.5 million settlement of the NIT’s antitrust lawsuit in August.
Mostly, the NIT has become NCAA Tournament-ized in the selection process, all the way down to having the field selected in Indianapolis, where the NCAA bracket is constructed.
C.M. Newton is the human face of change.
He’s chairman of the first NIT selection committee.
Newton wrapped up similar duty for the NCAA seven years ago. Now he leads a six-member group that includes Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith.
“Our thought is we can make the NIT better than it has been,” said Newton, also a member of basketball’s Hall of Fame.
Changes go much deeper than an NCAA-like committee.
For the first time, the 40 teams will be seeded, and the better-seeded teams will play at home no matter the building size or fan appeal.
Previously, NIT brackets tended to favor schools with greater drawing power. The tournament wanted popular teams to advance to the semifinals in New York. Cable network ESPN, by contract, had a say in selection process. Not now.
“There’s no perceived notion who we want to come to New York,” Newton said. “The politics are gone from this.”
Conference champions that don’t earn their league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament are guaranteed a place in the NIT.
Last year, Portland State won its first Big Sky championship and enjoyed its best season as a Division I program. But the Vikings’ season was over when they fell in the league tournament semifinals because they didn’t get a call from the NIT.
“That was one of the ills we really wanted to correct,” Newton said. “There should be a reward for a team with a great season that doesn’t have a chance to win the national championship.”
Big South champion Winthrop has designs on the NCAA Tournament. But coach Gregg Marshall sees the value in the new rule.
“Our goal is to always make the NCAA Tournament, but this a fallback if you don’t happen to achieve your goal,” Marshall said. . . . (read more)
Go State! ;D
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