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I get that this thread could easily be titled "Picking between only ugly girls to take the prom." None are going to be prom queen. However, I'm curious if anyone knows why we're in the CIT over the CBI? Dannen tweeted something about "Its either the NIT or the CIT" after the MVC tourney game so its clear they had already stated their intentions to the CIT. Was the experience that great the last time that made it worth going again? I would think trying something new would be more interesting, no?
I'm just curious if anyone knows the true reason why? My hunch is it has something to do with money because all other signs point to the CBI being a superior ugly prom date.
Consider:
At the end of the day, none of this really matters as neither of these are prom dates worth framing pictures of on our desk; but being bored and snowed in I figured it was worth asking if anyone had insider info on the decision process.
I'm just curious if anyone knows the true reason why? My hunch is it has something to do with money because all other signs point to the CBI being a superior ugly prom date.
Consider:
- Strength of Competition - Avg RPI of the CBI field is 124.5 vs CIT average of 157.5. I understand there could be other metrics but this is the easiest to compare. Four out of 16 CBI teams have an RPI of 100 or greater, with no one over 200. Only four out of 32 CIT teams have 100 or greater RPIs and five of them are 200 or worse (Chicago State is at 318, in fact).
- Name brand teams- The CBI, for all its warts, has name brands in Purdue & Texas who, despite down years, would bring infinitely more excitement for our fans than any of the 31 other teams in the CIT. In fact the inclusion of Purdue is important and points to perhaps a growing strength of the tourney considering it was thought in the past that the B10 teams as a rule would not stoop lower than the NIT. A best of three, guranteeing Texas or Purdue has to come to the Mcleod at least once, would in fact be exciting, IMO. (Of note, the CIT does not accept BCS schools.)
- History - Historically, the CBI always has bigger names hoisting the trophy with Oregon State, Oregon, Tulsa VCU and Pitt winning in previous years compared to Missouri State, ODU, Santa Clara and Mercer in the CIT. I don't think I need to say much beyond that.
- Coverage - CBI games are broadcast on AXS -- some of you may recognize this as the channel that did part of the Battle for Atlantis tournament. Is it a great channel? No. In fact not a ton of households get it. But it IS on tv for all rounds. Compare that to the CIT which does hold the championship on CBS Sports, otherwise it's an online-only product. Maybe this one is a wash, at best.
- Sponsorship - Not that in means much in terms of on-court play, but I doubt Buick would sponsor utter crap, and they are the presnting sponsor of the CBI. The CIT appears to be sponsored by a basketball camp and a graphic designer, judging by the crappy logos that you can click on at the bottom of the site.
At the end of the day, none of this really matters as neither of these are prom dates worth framing pictures of on our desk; but being bored and snowed in I figured it was worth asking if anyone had insider info on the decision process.
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