March 15, 1970 -- LSU's first ever NIT game. 83-82 over Georgetown

with the NIT talk, or talk of NOT playing in the NIT,it was on this date 46 years ago LSU played in the NIT for the first time.Keep in mind that until 1975, only one team from a conference could go to the NCAA's. Also the NIT field of 16 played all of its games in Madison Square Garden. NIT games away from New York wouldn't take place until 1977.

The game wasn't a sellout, but still had over 16,000 and was televised nationally by CBS. LSU won, 83-82, with Maravich having one of his "worst" offensive games with "only" 20 points. Danny Hester led LSU with 30 points.

The Tigers then beat Oklahoma, 97-94 before falling to Marquette in the semifinals,or "NIT Final Four."(Why Marquette played in the NIT that year is a mystery.

At the time an NCAA 'selection' was an offer so to speak. While rare, it wasn't that uncommon for a team to choose the NIT over the NCAA.Marquette went 22-3 in 1970 and finished the season ranked #9 in the nation.As an independent at the time, the NCAA would announce its "at-large" selections prior to the conclusion of the regular season.And,for the most part the regionals were truly 'regional.'Marquette was slotted for the Midwest Regional instead of the Mideast Regional and was upset. They maintained they wanted to compete with the SEC,Notre Dame and Big 10.While a seemingly noble point of contention, the Midwest was typically the weakest of the 4 regionals during UCLA's reign of terror.Some felt Marquette figured they'd get bounced by UCLA in the Final Four so they just opted to go to the NIT in Al McGuire's hometown of New York.Oddly enough, Army, LSU's opponent in a consolation game loss coached by noneother than Bob Knight, turned down the NCAA,too.)

Still,LSU put together an exciting team in 1969-1970 and finished it off with a trip to New York.