(06-29-2017 11:31 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  There is an article about how App State is trying to/about to get into the Puerto Rico shootout because Florida State had to withdraw. This is an ESPN sponsored early season tournament. The article mentions App State leveraging their brand to get in the tournament. I just sent Jeff Bourne an email. JMU has as strong a brand overall and on ESPN as App State does and this would be a huge win for the MBB rebirth. Aside from being televised the tournament includes Iowa State, South Carolina, Boise State, UTEP, Tulsa, and others. This is a fair criticism of Bourne that he missed out on this type of opportunity.

I suggest we hammer Bourne on this so that when the next opportunity comes along to be bigger picture he considers taking it. Coaches typically work on schedules but ADs can be creative and get involved. A CAA example is the creativity of Northeastern leveraging Hockey to get a home game against Michigan State in MBB (a game that they won).

I am usually pretty fair when it comes to Bourne but this is IMO an example of where he deserves criticism. No excuse for this- just like when he was on ESPN being interviewed during half time of a football game and he didn't even mention aspirations to be FBS. Another missed opportunity to brand the school and our athletics program to where we want to be in the future.

Is it confirmed we are not already committed to another early season tournament? There are several tournaments which have yet to announce their fields. I guess we'll see.