NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

[clenz]

Which would you prefer?

Which would be better for the program?

[Da Hog]

Re: NCAA birth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

I like us getting into the NCAA because we have an almost entire group coming back next year to be fed from this years birth.

[Panther'73]

Re: NCAA birth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

I can't help it - birth should be spelled berth

[clenz]

Re: NCAA birth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

I can't help it - birth should be spelled berth

Deal plese

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

2nd round all the way.

My question is: Would you rather win the regular season MVC title (for the first time EVER and get the auto NIT bid) and not win Arch Madness, OR finish 4th in regular season but win Arch Madness and make the NCAA, but lose first round again?

[GoCatz!]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

NCAA Bid 100% It is the only way to put yourself on the map nationally. Off the top of your head, can you name the last mid-major to make the NIT final four? Ask that about the NCAA and every person that even slightly cares about sports will remember George Mason a few years ago.

[clenz]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

NCAA Bid 100% It is the only way to put yourself on the map nationally. Off the top of your head, can you name the last mid-major to make the NIT final four? Ask that about the NCAA and every person that even slightly cares about sports will remember George Mason a few years ago.

On the flip side, so many mid majors make the second round that noone can name them really either. George Mason and Davidson are remembered because they were final 4 and elite 8.

[GoCatz!]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

On the flip side, so many mid majors make the second round that noone can name them really either. George Mason and Davidson are remembered because they were final 4 and elite 8.

Agreed, but its also a $$ thing. The school and conference get a pretty significant chunk of change for every round they make it to in the NCAA. Not sure how it works with the NIT, but I can't imagine that a final 4 in the NIT pays out as well as a 2nd round NCAA, but I could be wrong.

[jman2004]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

Ask that about the NCAA and every person that even slightly cares about sports will remember George Mason a few years ago.

That's because George Mason made the Final Four. Clenz is only asking about a 1st round victory.

It's tricky. I like Sheik's question as well . . . I think I'd rather win the Valley regular season. That way, it's representing an overall body of work and not just one weekend tournament.

As for the NIT/First-round-ext question, I think we'd get more national exposure, only slightly however, from a first round upset than we would an NIT championship. The NIT Title sounds like it would be more meaningful, but isn't everyone's goal the NCAA tourney field of 64? First round win or lose? Think about it, all those teams fighting for an NIT title, are teams that would've given anything to be in the NCAA tournament.

Gotta be NCAA Tournament . . .

[Siena Q]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

Agreed, but its also a $$ thing. The school and conference get a pretty significant chunk of change for every round they make it to in the NCAA. Not sure how it works with the NIT, but I can't imagine that a final 4 in the NIT pays out as well as a 2nd round NCAA, but I could be wrong.

Speaking as a Siena fan, go to the NCAA's in a heartbeat. Siena placed 3rd in the NIT in 1994. It was a great ride for Siena fans who packed the Garden for the semi's only to lose by 8 to a Kerry Kittles led Villanova team. But the attention was short lived and not really felt outside the local market.

Nothing compares to the high of winning in the NCAA tourney. Win that first game and the college basketball world is watching your second game. As the old expression goes, you gotta be in it to win it.

Plus, there is no way Siena goes into this season with the kind of expectations that national media had for them without beating Vandy last year. While it's a double edged sword (there are those that feel Siena underperformed against a top 30 schedule despite being 18-5 at this point), it certainly is cool seeing guys like Katz, Parrish etc talk up your program going into the season.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

I have to go with NCAA win for this poll. I just don't think the NIT run would last long-term.

I agree with jman though, I want that regular season MVC title. We haven't won a regular season title since 1964. Get that, then tack on the Tourney title as well and roll into the NCAA's.

[clenz]

Re: NCAA berth and first or second round exit or NIT title/runner up

Agreed, but its also a $$ thing. The school and conference get a pretty significant chunk of change for every round they make it to in the NCAA. Not sure how it works with the NIT, but I can't imagine that a final 4 in the NIT pays out as well as a 2nd round NCAA, but I could be wrong.

Completely understand the pay out aspect of it. I was just wondering what the thoughts of everyone was. I'm not sure what I would like, which is why I haven't voted yet. I would love to see a second round, maybe sweet 16 trip, but a NIT title could really help us out as well respect wise for the short future, which could carry over.