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re: NIT: LSU Men hosting North Texas in Opening Round, Tuesday at 6 PM CT, SECN/ESPN+
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:28 am to misey94
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:28 am to misey94
Syracluse supposedly turned it down. They're expecting a mass exodus through the portal, and didn't want to resort to starting several walk on players.
0
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:31 am to mcspufftiger7
Well said and Geaux Tigers
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:32 am to Britgirl
quote:
Watch an actual college basketball coach (as opposed to ignorant TD posters) educate on why a team SHOULD take the opportunity of going to the NIT, and why excuses like needing to recruit or address the portal, are just that, excuses
I don't know if I'd throw Tom Crean out there as the spokesperson for playing.
That aside, I doubt ANY of the coaches for the teams that declined to participate did so unilaterally without first talking to their players. And I would be willing to bet anything that if you got the players of those teams in a candid moment most (not all) would tell you they didn't want to play. No different than football players opting out of non-playoff bowl games.
For us, as fans, consuming college basketball is easy. All we have to do is so up for a game or two a week for two hours, or flip on the TV. For the players it is a 5+ month physical and mental grind starting in October. When at the end of the season the option is practice, travel, play in a tournament that really is for no stakes (and is mostly ignored by the public with the actual playoffs going on), or rest, many will chose to just shut it down and move on. The coaches will respect the wishes of the players.
The transfer rules have expedited that process. It opens today and guys that want to transfer often want to get in ASAP. If they are playing in the NIT they will probably wait out of respect to their team, but they'd rather get the process started. For coaches, it is cutthroat recruiting that they have to get a jump on.
As far as using it to "develop your team for next season" that's great!...if you have most of the same players back for next season. In this age that is not always the case. For LSU 4 core players are definitely gone (Wright, Baker, Hannibal, Dean). Another, Wilkinson, seems likely to be moving on as well. So yes, another game for guys like Ward, Reed, Williams, will be nice, a coach isn't really doing a lot to "develop next year's team" because next year's team will be much different.
If I were a coach I would encourage my guys to play. But I would ultimately leave it up to the players. Success in the NIT doesn't always translate to the following year. In fact, you saw a lot of the top seeds in last year's tournament get bounced early. Likely because of lack of motivation.
For McMahon it represents progress he can, hopefully, sell on the recruiting trail. For us fans, it's another opportunity to watch a team we are interested instead of NCIS: Delaware. But I wouldn't look into it too much more than that.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:42 am to Alt26
I'd bet they all want to play. Why? Because for most of these guys it will be their last game. None of these guys leaving will be playing at the next level. So I think they will be well motivated. And it always helps the younger players get more playing time and experience another tournament atmosphere. Not to mention the experience the coach gets. Like I said, anyone crapping on this is just a miserable loser in life.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:44 am to droman225
quote:Has North Texas improved that much since we played them? LSU has improved a great deal since then, especially Ward and Hannibal. The 2 players who played well in that game were Baker and Fountain.
Since I went to UNT that’s the only other school I follow besides LSU. Knowing both teams I don’t feel too confident in LSU chances but
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:51 am to mcspufftiger7
quote:
Don't be the idiot that compares the 1st season of each coach. Apples and oranges. Point is Wade went to NIT after terrible seasons under Jones. Mcmahon is going to NIT his second year but his first year was a cluster f**k due to the Wade situation before. That is a fact. And Wade went to the NIT with future NBA players on his team when he got there. Doe that make him a bad coach that year? It would if his name was Mcmahon. These people seriously need to get some therapy. Constantly bringing up Wade whether the news is good or bad for LSU basketball shows just how mentally unstable these people are. I will be there supporting LSU basketball and hope this helps springboard the team to a better outcome next year. I will judge Mcmahon on his own merits and not on Will Wade. He has done a great job with the exit of Cook. Not easy to lose your leading scorer and starting PG on this team and continue to have wins in big games against ranked opponents. Anyone who doesn't agree with that is just a moron and loser in life.
You can not like it all day long, but there will always be a natural comparison to Wade for one big reason...the fans were happy with his on-court results and did not want to see him fired. There hasn't been another HC of a major sport at LSU in the last 50 years (maybe ever) where the school got fired a coach with whom the fans were pleased with his performance. Arnsparger, Skip, Saban ALL left on their own accord. Everyone else was eventually fired (or encouraged to retire) because of substandard performance. And when that coach then goes to an in-state school, with virtually zero history of success, and engineers the biggest one year turnaround of any school in the country while LSU fans are left to be "happy" in year two to back into the NIT, the fans are naturally going to think "we should be excited for an NCAA Tournament appearance". Not slogging through apathy trying to justify significantly lower expectations.
Now that is not going to change anything. Wade is not coming back to LSU. But if you can't understand while the fans remain frustrated with the current state of LSU basketball relative to what it was just a few years ago (the longest sustained period of winning in 30 years), I don't know what to tell you. And like it or not, it is going to remain that way until McMahon starts winning at a similar level. Miles, Mainieri, and Johnson would have gotten the same treatment except for one key difference...they WON at a high level almost immediately.
McMahon will get the same favor if/when he starts winning. Until then, he's going to continue to be the guy the fans have to "deal with" until the program starts winning again (or he's fired). That makes his job incredibly tough. But that's what he signed up for. And much of the ire is directed to the LSU administration. That is who chose to fire Wade. There was certainly a reasonable basis why they chose to do so when they chose to do it. But 2 years later, with Wade now taking McNeese to the NCAA Tournament, and LSU "excited" for the NIT, it seems in the minds of the fans less, and less likely LSU HAD to end the party.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:01 am to mcmaniacinsaneasylum
yawwwwwwwwn 
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:03 am to GumboPot
quote:
Happy to see CMM and this team get some post season play. This will be good experience for the younger guys.
This is huge for our teams confidence headed in to next year. This NIT field is no joke.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:16 am to ShinerHorns
Alt 26:
LOL. I know and understand and agree with all of that but quit calling these bitches "fans". I have been watching and going to LSU basketball since 1977. They are no bigger "fan" than I am. I was a Will Wade fan. I didn't want to see him fired but I understood why they thought they needed to. Being born in Lake Charles and growing up a Mcneese fan in my early years I was happy he went there and I hope he has success and will eventually get a Power 5 job somewhere. Just because I understand mental illness doesn't mean I have to accept it. There are LSU fans and there are Will Wade fanatics. I understand their anger with the administration but it's been 2 years. There is something wrong with people who hold on to anger this long. Period. And the fact that they use that anger at a coach who came here when practically no one else probably would have and has shown improvement from yr 1 - yr 2 proves that they are emotionally unstable losers who have no life other than to sit on TD and crap on anything good or bad that happens to the team. There is nothing you need to explain to me. I understand it all. I'm just sick and tired of it.
LOL. I know and understand and agree with all of that but quit calling these bitches "fans". I have been watching and going to LSU basketball since 1977. They are no bigger "fan" than I am. I was a Will Wade fan. I didn't want to see him fired but I understood why they thought they needed to. Being born in Lake Charles and growing up a Mcneese fan in my early years I was happy he went there and I hope he has success and will eventually get a Power 5 job somewhere. Just because I understand mental illness doesn't mean I have to accept it. There are LSU fans and there are Will Wade fanatics. I understand their anger with the administration but it's been 2 years. There is something wrong with people who hold on to anger this long. Period. And the fact that they use that anger at a coach who came here when practically no one else probably would have and has shown improvement from yr 1 - yr 2 proves that they are emotionally unstable losers who have no life other than to sit on TD and crap on anything good or bad that happens to the team. There is nothing you need to explain to me. I understand it all. I'm just sick and tired of it.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:30 am to mmcgrath
quote:
Has North Texas improved that much since we played them? LSU has improved a great deal since then, especially Ward and Hannibal. The 2 players who played well in that game were Baker and Fountain.
They have a higher NET and KenPom rating than LSU.
If you look at their schedule following the LSU game they failed to be anyone with a pulse (except, maybe, Memphis). Arguably, their best accomplishment this season was to play FAU close three times.
LSU is a 2.5 point home favorite. That means NTU would likely be a slight favorite on a neutral floor. Motivation (as it always is in the NIT) will be a key factor. LSU is not good enough to just "show up" and beat anyone. If the players are largely "checked out", a comfortable win is not out of the question for NTU. If LSU is focused they should win on their home court (though the crowd will be small).
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:54 am to Alt26
quote:
I don't know if I'd throw Tom Crean out there as the spokesperson for playing.
I’d take his opinion over many TD posters. He, at the very least, has a huge amount of experience and insight into how players think/feel.
quote:
No different than football players opting out of non-playoff bowl games.
But aren’t those the players who expect to be drafted and want to stay healthy?
Doubtful anyone in our current squad is NBA bound this year.
I was really happy when Will decided to take his team to the NIT, he understood the importance of it. And I’m happy that Matt thinks the same way.
The year that Johnny decided not to go to the NIT (because Ben Simmons didn’t want to go) really pissed me off, and I talked to players who were extremely disappointed that they weren’t going to play. I felt really sad for them. Seniors with no chance at the NBA just wanted to keep playing, others who hoped to be in the NBA in future wanted playoff experience.
Those reasons will also apply to the current team, plus it’s a
chance to “redeem themselves” after getting bounced from the SEC after one game. Another chance to play for LSU.
And we’d like another chance to watch them play!
Posted on 3/18/24 at 11:24 am to Britgirl
quote:
But aren’t those the players who expect to be drafted and want to stay healthy?
Not really. Yes, the likely high draft picks often opt out. But so do guys who want to transfer.
The coaches want to coach. But they will often let the players decide if they want to play in the NIT. That's who is collectively decided not to play.
Oklahoma
Collectively, in consultation with out athletes, staff and administration, we have respectfully declined an invitation to participate in the NIT. This decision, though difficult, was made with the well-being of our student-athletes as the top priority.
Pitt:
“We made the decision to decline an NIT invitation as a team and with the support of our athletic department leadership. It was a difficult choice, but ultimately what is best for our student-athletes.”
Their players are disappointed they didn't get selected for the NCAA Tournament and they don't feel like going through more practices to keep playing in a consolation tournament they don't want to be a part of. You can not like it as a fan, but it's not the coaches going against the wishes of the (majority) of their players. They are letting the players decide if they want to play or not. And some have decided not to.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 11:34 am to Alt26
Please list the current players leaving that will be playing at the next level. I don't see any. They may get some tryouts. May get invited to summer league but there are no players on that team right now that say "next level". Maybe Baker, Wright or Dean could make an overseas team but that's about it.Maybe. Ward, Reed and Williams can use the extra PT and get more tournament experience. Mwani may see it as an opportunity to show what he can do if he is leaving or staying. In short I think this team will be motivated and see the NIT experience as an opportunity to continue playing and possibly achieve a championship. Also won't hurt Mcmahon to get more tournament experience and more exposure may help in the portal after season is over. Not like NIT is a let down as most had us picked in bottom half of SEC.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 11:54 am to Choupique19
quote:
Just look at what it did for last year's NIT champs North Texas. They rode that momentum from winning the NIT in 2023 into a 2024 NIT berth at LSU.
Shows how little you know... North Texas' head coach used that season to propel himself to a P6 coaching job at Texas Tech.. and he's doing super well. UNT used their momentum to hire the guy who was Beard's interim at UT.. so yes, it undeniably can be a basis for building going forward.. look at what Wade did after an NIT berth.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 11:55 am to mdomingue
quote:
mdomingue
Appreciate it brother
Posted on 3/18/24 at 12:02 pm to mcmaniacinsaneasylum
I have no problem with playing in nit this year
The year with Ben Simmons was wise to sit it out
The year with Ben Simmons was wise to sit it out
Posted on 3/18/24 at 12:07 pm to nicholastiger
quote:
I have no problem with playing in nit this year
And neither should every real, reasonable MBB fan.. the problem is many are casual watchers and therefore NCAAT or bust types and don’t appreciate the context or opportunity as to why we’re glad to be in the NIT..
Sure the tournament has lost some prestige from its former days, but it’s still fielding a strong collection of teams like Indiana State, Seton Hall, Wake, Richmond, etc.. many of these teams are better than teams that will be playing in the NCAAT. Every year there’s a handful of low and mid major automatic qualifiers who just flat out aren’t good. Johnny Jones took his Texas State team to the NCAAT with 10 wins ffs. These one bid conferences just flat out aren’t good.
Not to mention, for fricks sake it means we get to play at least one more game. If you are displeased at playing more games, you are not a fan. I don’t give a shite.
This post was edited on 3/18/24 at 12:13 pm
Posted on 3/18/24 at 12:16 pm to mcmaniacinsaneasylum
quote:
many of these teams are better than teams that will be playing in the NCAAT.
Yep. I’d argue it’s more of an achievement to win the NIT this year than that joke of a tournament they got going on in the so-called “big dance”.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 12:19 pm to mcmaniacinsaneasylum
Damn, I didn't know corch Wade had McNeese at 30-3 and in the ncaa playoffs. SMH He may not know how to coach a team that well, but his teams are always loaded with talent to beat people and have impressive records I'll say that.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 12:20 pm to ShinerHorns
quote:
I’d argue it’s more of an achievement to win the NIT this year than that joke of a tournament they got going on in the so-called “big dance”.
That's not at all what I'm saying. What I am saying is though is that making the NIT is still an achievement, especially for a team in the state that we are. To bounce back from a 2 SEC win season to become an AQ is a big accomplishment. Plus, the NIT is filled with quality teams and will be a display of quality basketball.
I understand that many LSU fans aren't huge basketball fans and they can't see this fact, and that's fine. But even if you can't see it for what it is that doesn't mean you have to bitch and complain. You're not a fan if you aren't happy to play another game. End of story.
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