.500 Record(s) Not Necessary For Bruins & Tar Heels To Receive NIT Invitation(s)?

by Nestor on Feb 27, 2010 7:45 AM PST

That is according to a Washington Post report which profiles UCLA, UNC and other schools are are experience March blues this season (emphasis added):

The Tar Heels have become the powder-blue poster child for underachieving teams. One season after winning its fifth national championship, some regression was expected after losing Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, all first-round NBA draft picks. But the Tar Heels (14-14, 3-10 ACC) have lost seven of eight games entering Saturday's matchup at Wake Forest. Injuries, most notably to forward Ed Davis, inconsistent guard play and an apparent crisis of confidence have derailed the season.

Much like North Carolina, UCLA has also found life difficult after losing talented underclassmen, chief among them Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, to the NBA in recent years. After making three consecutive Final Four appearances between 2006 and 2008, the Bruins (13-14, 8-7 Pacific-10) opened the season 2-6 after losses to Cal State Fullerton and Portland, among others.

Regardless of the player turnover, Coach Ben Howland said the coaching staff is "ultimately responsible for building a good team. We have really struggled in that respect this year."

UCLA and North Carolina do not need .500 records to receive an NIT invitation, but teams that win their conference's regular season title and then lose in the conference tournament receive automatic invitations to the 32-team field. An eight-member committee then attempts to put the strongest possible field together.

So is the hgh lighted part correct because I was under the impression that a team at least needs a winning record to get into the NIT. BTW the article also focuses on UConn, Louisville and Arizona. I am guessing the former two will finish strong and get into the dance.

Anyway, if both Bruins and Tarheels are in the NIT, that is going to be very interesting to see what Howland prepares his team. Will he go into that tournament by being aggressive and playing with no fear by not being afraid to depend on his youngsters, or is he going to stick with the safe "not to lose" mindset by depending on scrubs like Ragovic? Honestly, if we go into NIT and have a team that plays its hearts out with solid mins for kids like Lane, Morgan, and Moser, it could be fun. It will be more fun than watching a meaningless Big Dance without our four letters in it (at least for yours truly).

GO BRUINS.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Rule changed in 2006

allowing teams with losing records in, but to date every team selected as had at least a .500 record.

"I don't forget very much" Rick Neuheisel, 11/28/09

by Blue Me on Feb 27, 2010 9:12 AM PST reply actions

Very interesting

by Nestor on Feb 27, 2010 9:30 AM PST up reply actions

What i'm hearing

Is that Howland has said that UCLA would accept an NIT invite, but only if we have a winning record . If we finish with a losing record and are invited, we would turn it down.

by truebluebruin24 on Feb 27, 2010 11:31 AM PST reply actions

If this is true

Then we need to win 4 straight to play in the NIT.

by SuperBruinMan on Feb 27, 2010 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

Word is the NIT has contacted Guerrero

and all but offered him an invite, but in all honesty I hope he declines.

by Sideout11 on Feb 27, 2010 5:27 PM PST reply actions

I don't even want us to go

if it’s just going to be more of the same. I don’t see CBH coaching games in the NIT any differently than he has the last couple of months. The possible upside of some younger players getting a couple of minutes here and there doesn’t seem to overcome the downside of younger players continuing the frustration of illogical substitution patterns and the love affair with ND. Time to regroup, mix up the coaching staff, say our goodbyes to those moving on (seniors and I’m guessing more as well), welcome the newcomers, and start fresh. As un-Bruin-like as it feels to say, I don’t really see a point of continuing this season.

by KSBruin on Feb 27, 2010 8:20 PM PST reply actions

I say do it!

However, do it to give the young guys some experience and treat it as pre-season exhibition games. No need to watch Dragqueenwitch throw up clankers.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Mar 1, 2010 12:52 PM PST reply actions

Yet

If we go I can bet you a case of beer of your choice, Howland will keep playing Rag (We can’t even use “O” any more because he can’t provide consistent offense) for 33 mins a game.

by Nestor on Mar 1, 2010 1:02 PM PST up reply actions