Personally, I couldn't care less about the NIT. I wouldn't be estatic if LSU won. Likewise, I wouldn't be angry if they lost in the first round. It just kind of is what it is. Basically it's just a consolation tournament.

That said, I'm glad for the seniors that they get to play at least one (maybe more) extra game(s). You only get one chance to play college basketball and once it's over it's over.

quote:
Different Vibes from different players sorry to say. Everyone's agenda is not the same, which explains why sometimes we click and sometimes we don't. Maybe come game time everyone will have a winners attitude and want to go out and make a run towards the Garden.

As is to be expected for the NIT.

I suspect the same thing could be said for 90% of the teams playing in this tournament. The NIT is no player's or team's goal (at least it shouldn't be). While us fans can't "fathom" why the team wouldn't be fired up to play in the tournament, we aren't the ones who have been working, practicing, etc. daily for 5 months. I could certainly see more than a few players just saying "I'm exhausted. We didn't make the NCAAT, so I'd rather just call it a year and get ready for a new run next season." This isn't unlike a college football team making it to some lower-tier bowl game. It can become just as much of an obligation to play in the game as an opportunity. Again, this isn't specific just to LSU. Now if there is a lack of motivation during the regular season, that is a big time cause for concern.

The NIT could be a springboard to good things (see Whichita St. a few years back). However, it just as easily could not. See South Carolina's back to back titles and the success (or lack thereof) it led to.

Frankly, I don't see the team (as a whole) being very fired up to play in the game. If it's close in the first half, then I think the competitive nature of all involved will come through and LSU will play to win. If not, they'll just pack it in and call it a year.

2 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by pellietigersaint

Tiger Stadium

Member since Aug 2005

19043 posts

Posted on 3/17/14 at 2:58 pm to Alt26

quote:
Frankly, I don't see the team (as a whole) being very fired up to play in the game

Do yall realize that this is not how it works at this level? 19 year olds dont "pack it in". If they lose, its will be because they do not play as good as USF. It wont have anything to do with lack of motivation

1 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by MRTigerFan

Baton Rouge

Member since Sep 2008

4647 posts

Posted on 3/18/14 at 12:02 pm to Alt26

quote:
The NIT is no player's or team's goal (at least it shouldn't be). While us fans can't "fathom" why the team wouldn't be fired up to play in the tournament, we aren't the ones who have been working, practicing, etc. daily for 5 months. I could certainly see more than a few players just saying "I'm exhausted. We didn't make the NCAAT, so I'd rather just call it a year and get ready for a new run next season." This isn't unlike a college football team making it to some lower-tier bowl game. It can become just as much of an obligation to play in the game as an opportunity. Again, this isn't specific just to LSU. Now if there is a lack of motivation during the regular season, that is a big time cause for concern.

I agree with this and I really like your analogy about a lower tier bowl game in football.