Most bracketologists have Old Dominion as the "first four out". If this holds, and say by chance we don't make the NCAA's, we would be a #1 seed in the NIT. I would be pretty happy with this, all things considered. It would definitely mean more home games this year (always a good thing). Plus with our home record perhaps a trip to MSG. What does everyone think about this?
A run to MSG would be huge for the program if that is what happens. The NIT is all about which teams want to advance the most, from what I understand most of our guys would do anything for a chance to play in Madison Square Garden.
If a #1 seed gives us a better chance of making a deep run, I'm all for it. If it saddles the team with unrealistic expectations, I'd rather us get pushed out a bit further.
How many CUSA teams would the NIT take? ODU, LA Tech, and UTEP pus where does the loser of the championship game go?
I am sure we would get an invite to the NIT. Obviously making the NCAA's would trump that. But being a #1 seed would probably give us as many as 3 more home games. That among other benefits would mean a nice boost to the AD budget. Plus a seed like that gives us a real opportunity to win the whole thing. I don't know about you guys, but I would consider that a fantastic season. I believe when Jeff Jones won the NIT with UVA they went to the elite 8 the next year. Although my memory could be faulty.
http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/...eld-32-top
FWIW - I predict a ODU v W&M match-up in the 1st round of the NIT at the Ted. Oh, and I actually hope I am wrong and we make the NCAAT but it just seems like a very, very, very long shot to me.
(03-14-2015 10:14 AM)Old Blue Wrote: [ -> ]I am sure we would get an invite to the NIT. Obviously making the NCAA's would trump that. But being a #1 seed would probably give us as many as 3 more home games. That among other benefits would mean a nice boost to the AD budget. Plus a seed like that gives us a real opportunity to win the whole thing. I don't know about you guys, but I would consider that a fantastic season. I believe when Jeff Jones won the NIT with UVA they went to the elite 8 the next year. Although my memory could be faulty.
http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/...eld-32-top
It was a couple years after but I dont think any of us would compain of something similar:
92 NIT Champs
93 Sweet 16
94 Second Round
95 Elite 8
That would be a pretty sweet 4 years.
Im not sure of there is an actual positive correlation between NIT success with future NCAA success, if I recall S Carolina won back to back NITs a few years back and did nothing to capitalize off of that. Its not like Jeff Jones took over a program coming off some bad years in UVA, they were a pretty decent team when he took over.
For me, the NIT gives these guys at least one more game and the practices that come with it.
Assuming we host a NIT game early in the week, how would we receive our tix? I'm guessing us season ticket guys would have to pick them uo at will call?
(03-14-2015 10:41 AM)Big Blue Man Wrote: [ -> ]Assuming we host a NIT game early in the week, how would we receive our tix? I'm guessing us season ticket guys would have to pick them uo at will call?
Negative. This is an NCAA event, not an ODU event. You buy them at the ticket window just like everyone else. Generally no reserved seating, you can sit wherever you want.
Season ticket holders will have to buy their seats before we know if we are in the NIT or not. There will be a short window then...it will be opened up to the public.
(03-14-2015 10:44 AM)Old Dominion Wrote: [ -> ] (03-14-2015 10:41 AM)Big Blue Man Wrote: [ -> ]Assuming we host a NIT game early in the week, how would we receive our tix? I'm guessing us season ticket guys would have to pick them uo at will call?
Negative. This is an NCAA event, not an ODU event. You buy them at the ticket window just like everyone else. Generally no reserved seating, you can sit wherever you want.
That is correct. This would be an NCAA sanctioned event, so everyone would have to pay. But I still think this would attract huge crowds, give us nationally televised home games and increase money to the AD. A triple win for ODU. And if...a big if we are to the selection committee considered "first 4 out" like I say that would mean a #1 seed which gives a realistic shot at winning the championship. I would be super pumped for this!!
It's a shame that ODU can't do any promotions to fill the event. It would be totally awesome to sell out the Ted for a NIT game! If we played W&M, there would be a slim possibility of that happening.
Just heard lunardi on college gameday and he went through the whole first four out and didn't even mention our name even though we're on there
I have to imagine its because he has us last of the last four out, which probably means to him is where dead in the water, as in only 3 of the last four in arent locks, so no point in wasting his air time on us.
Does the committee usually have any differences with Lunardi's bracket in regards to last 4 in/ first 4 out? The way ESPN and other media reports on the sport, you'd think this guy was God and whatever he says was how it will be. Which of course worries me for our case this year.
(03-14-2015 12:24 PM)webster Wrote: [ -> ]Does the committee usually have any differences with Lunardi's bracket in regards to last 4 in/ first 4 out? The way ESPN and other media reports on the sport, you'd think this guy was God and whatever he says was how it will be. Which of course worries me for our case this year.
Oh yah all the time, I remember when Lunardi first got big and ESPN made in known that he had only missed something like 1-2 bids in the previous 3 or 4 years. These days you don't hear them bragging about his resume. He still pretty good (though its not that hard to begin with minus seeding), but hes not 100% every year.
Just to show in the last few years the NCAA has thrown everyone some curve balls With NC State last year, Iona, and VCU were all teams most people didnt think would make the tourney.
Lunardi misses a couple every year.
(03-14-2015 04:03 PM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]Lunardi misses a couple every year.
Obviously the odds are against it, but it sure would be great for the conference as well as us.
One thing ODU has going for it, the rest of the bubble teams laid as big an egg as we did.