I really don't think anyone wanted that schedule and I expect the improved NET ranking for both JMU and the SBC average will help next year.

Louisiana up 67-64 over USA with 27 seconds left in the game on ESPN2
USA ball.

Louisiana pulls it out, hope they get a good seed and win a game or two. It's crazy how close the #8 seed came to winning it all.

Owen White 4-8 on threes last night, 0-3 tonight

In watching the press conference yesterday By made it clear it was NIT or nothing.

Sounded like the players were up to playing more even if not NIT, but would defer to the coach.

I think they should get the opportunity to compete one more time, even if not in the NIT. This team got shafted from playing in the CAA tourny last year. Give 'em any shot to win something. Do doubt some of you don't have any interest, but I think after Covid, and then Conference shift - these guys should have one final shot of playing together.

(03-07-2023 04:41 PM)Dukester Wrote:  In watching the press conference yesterday By made it clear it was NIT or nothing.

Sounded like the players were up to playing more even if not NIT, but would defer to the coach.

I think they should get the opportunity to compete one more time, even if not in the NIT. This team got shafted from playing in the CAA tourny last year. Give 'em any shot to win something. Do doubt some of you don't have any interest, but I think after Covid, and then Conference shift - these guys should have one final shot of playing together.

Byington didn't leave any wiggle room. it was NIT or bust. good point about the guys getting screwed by Covid and the CAA though. if the seniors and grads want to keep playing i think Byington owes them. they all did right by Jmu. I'd watch or attend if we had an interesting opponent at home.

(03-08-2023 12:36 AM)dukeDoom Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 04:41 PM)Dukester Wrote:  In watching the press conference yesterday By made it clear it was NIT or nothing.

Sounded like the players were up to playing more even if not NIT, but would defer to the coach.

I think they should get the opportunity to compete one more time, even if not in the NIT. This team got shafted from playing in the CAA tourny last year. Give 'em any shot to win something. Do doubt some of you don't have any interest, but I think after Covid, and then Conference shift - these guys should have one final shot of playing together.

Byington didn't leave any wiggle room. it was NIT or bust. good point about the guys getting screwed by Covid and the CAA though. if the seniors and grads want to keep playing i think Byington owes them. they all did right by Jmu. I'd watch or attend if we had an interesting opponent at home.

I'm one of the naysayers on the other two tourneys, and believe they're for the Mercer's and Stetson's of CBB. Would Gonzaga accept an invite if it were their only option? I simply believe those are established to give the smaller (in both size and budget) an opportunity for a trophy. I really don't want a banner hanging from the top of the Atlantic Union Bank Center celebrating this type championship.

I agree. The only way I would want JMU to play one of the other tourneys is if their opponent was a state program like VCU, Richmond, George Mason, Virginia Tech. Then the game would have value.

Does anyone know how those fields are selected? Since so many programs turn down the offer, is it possible to know who has already committed and who you would play in the first round if you commit?
That at least would be something for Byington to listen to.

I can’t recall if the CBI has ever had a P7 team participate. It feels like mostly low major and mid major programs that would not be considered a significant notch in the belt if JMU won.

(03-08-2023 07:17 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  I agree. The only way I would want JMU to play one of the other tourneys is if their opponent was a state program like VCU, Richmond, George Mason, Virginia Tech. Then the game would have value.

Does anyone know how those fields are selected? Since so many programs turn down the offer, is it possible to know who has already committed and who you would play in the first round if you commit?
That at least would be something for Byington to listen to.

I can’t recall if the CBI has ever had a P7 team participate. It feels like mostly low major and mid major programs that would not be considered a significant notch in the belt if JMU won.

I believe they are selected based on a combination of Bid & Season success.

Would not hurt By to win one of these lessor tourney's as well.

Pay for Play to lose on Saturday morning at Middle Tennessee State does not seem like a useful way to spend time and money. NIT or bust has my full support.

These tournaments are a huge waste of money and we will not be playing in one this year.

UNC and Michigan announce that they won’t participate in the NIT. It’s a long shot but hypothetically how many spots outside of the NIT are the Dukes?

(03-12-2023 07:53 PM)Anders Wrote:  UNC and Michigan announce that they won’t participate in the NIT. It’s a long shot but hypothetically how many spots outside of the NIT are the Dukes?

This is going the bowl game route I feel.

Nfl caliber players don’t want to play in bowl games, they want to prep for draft

I can see big schools, which predominantly have players with high pro aspirations, doing the same. Skipping non-ncaa tourneys to prepare for nba draft

(03-12-2023 07:53 PM)Anders Wrote:  UNC and Michigan announce that they won’t participate in the NIT. It’s a long shot but hypothetically how many spots outside of the NIT are the Dukes?

I guess you guys probably saw, but Southern Miss with the auto bid is the only SBC team in the NIT. Southern Miss will face UAB at 7:30 on Tuesday.

Last year the lowest NET ranking to make it was #85 St. Bonaventure. There were 11 auto-bids this year just like last year, I'm a little surprised to see Marshall fall short. Especially after those teams declined. Last year the lowest NET ranking to make it was #85 St. Bonaventure, this year Marshall's NET was #83. JMU was #94 so we were probably pretty far on the outside looking in.