in the coming seasons. Bellarmine won the ASU tournament but cannot go the NCAA's since this is only their second season in DI. Jacksonville State will represent the ASUN. Next year the OVC tournament will include Lindenwood and Southern Indiana. They cannot go to the NCAA's during their 4 year probation period. The OVC decides who represents the conference (regular season champion or tournament runner-up) if either of those teams win the conference tourney. Don't know if it would be "legal", but I think if Lindenwood or USI wins the conference tourney they should work out a deal that they, at least, go to the NIT.

This leads me to believe that the OVC will likely try to avoid adding anymore "move-ups". It would be weird having a tournament in which 3 or 4 teams wouldn't be eligible to go the NCAA tournament even if they win. Seems like having 2 teams in that position is plenty.

A lot of outrage today about Bellarmine not being allowed to go the NCAA tournament. First team in 25 years to win its conference tournament while being ineligible. I agree with Jeff Goodman-

Jeff Goodman
@GoodmanHoops
I really hope the NIT invites Bellarmine. Won league tourney, but not allowed to go to NCAA tourney because only in year 2 of 4-year NCAA transition period.
Regular-season winner gets auto NIT bid, but Jacksonville State will go to NCAA instead of NIT.
Put Bellarmine in NIT.

Maybe the NIT could announce before next season that they will take tournament champs that don't meet the eligibility requirement. Basically they would just be switching out Jacksonville State and Bellarmine. I would think fans of Southern Indiana and Lindenwood would be excited playing for an NIT bid in their first season of DI basketball. Maybe not so much by their 4th season.

Found this on the internet-

The NCAA-mandated reclassification takes four years, which means Bellarmine won't be eligible for the NCAA Tournament until 2025. The Knights can't go to the NIT, which is run by the NCAA either but is eligible for the College Basketball Invitational or the and the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Not a 100% sure this is accurate, but it would make sense now that the NIT is run by the NCAA. Seems like the ASU should help Bellarmine pay to go to the CBI or CIT. Actually, maybe Jacksonville State, who lost in the semifinals but is now going to the NCAA tournament, should help pay.

I really think that the rule is suspect under anti-trust law.

But surprising they let them play in the conference tournament. Most conferences have a rule that anyone ineligible for post-season can’t play in conference championship games. Sun Belt has such a rule.

(03-11-2022 01:44 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  I really think that the rule is suspect under anti-trust law.

But surprising they let them play in the conference tournament. Most conferences have a rule that anyone ineligible for post-season can’t play in conference championship games. Sun Belt has such a rule.

I was told the OVC will let the new teams play and decide before hand who will go to the NCAA tournament in case one of them win. Maybe this will cause them to rethink that. But I doubt it. I’m sure they want to include USI to boost attendance in Evansville.