CMJ

The night of the title game NIT, the champ gets coverage. Once ESPN got the entire Women's Tournament about 15 years back, they started giving the NIT less attention. I remember "back in the day" ESPN covered it much better.

Truth is - there isn't THAT much difference between the 20th ranked school and the 100th. Once you get to a certain point, all the teams can play quality basketball, and on a given day can beat almost anyone else.

Was busy with my wife all day yesterday. She'll be gone a lot of the day with her work thing, so I'll have time to catch up all I missed. Anyway, like I said briefly yesterday it was a magical experience. Well, once we got to the game any way! Driving from LA, the trip usually takes 4-6 hours depending on traffic. We thought leaving around 11 we'd make great time, maybe even before 4pm. And we did till about 15 miles out of Baker, Ca - which is a dot on the map. I don't know what kind of accident happened, but traffic was snarled forever as the cleared the road (the fact that it's only 2 lanes right there was the main reason I am sure). We went from thinking we'd get to Vegas around 4pm to not even sure we'd make the game at all. It took 3 hours just to go the 15 miles to Baker. Once we got past the accident we flew to Vegas...but we missed the entire tailgate and the beginning of the game (following the score on the phone while my wife was racing 80-90mph down the highway). Still, we got there around the second media timeout, so I despite being distraught I wasn't suicidal or anything. Any way, my main take away was how HARD both teams played and how physical it was. I'm not sure how that translated to TV, I'll have to watch the replay at some point. Both teams really got after it though, you could tell something was on the line. Perry hit a big 3 to retake the lead...maybe around 6 minutes left. On the next possession when UAB didn't tie, I thought maybe that was the turning point, but it still was in doubt. When it hit the under 4 media timeout (I think we were up four), I remember saying to my wife you wouldn't want it to be any other way for a title. Even if a blowout would have been more comfortable, you wanted it to be down to the end. I believe Sissoko put us up six with that bank shot a minute or so later (EDIT: Sissoko's shot was actually a couple of minutes earlier as I watched the highlights...oh well, can't remember the sequence of everything I guess). Even though UAB quickly scored to get back to four, I was nearly certain we had it the second Sissoko's shot went it. Of course Perry hit two daggers one right after the other to close the door. I'm not sure how much the camera captured all the celebrations, but I was trying to take it all in. The guys hugging each other, even before the game was over when the clock was ticking down. The pandemonium with everyone running around. McCasland and Wren Baker held each other for about 20 seconds at mid court, perhaps telling each other what NT meant to each of them even as they move on. Scrappy dancing around with one of the Dance team while a few other dancers did snow angels in the confetti. During the net cutting ceremony when Abou Ousmane's name was announced for his turn and the team all yelled his name, probably wishing he was there to take part. McCasland finally climbing the ladder to take the full part of the net down. Perry and Sissoko both came up into the stands and even though there weren't many NT fans still there by that point (the game had been over at least half an hour by now), people were hounding them for photos and to congratulate them. I wanted to reach out, but figured I'd just be one more annoying fan hoping to get his moment. My wife did go up to the first row or two to grab some confetti, so I now have a souvenir from the game. As we were leaving I bought about 5 t-shirts of varying types for myself and others. Best night of my NT fandom that goes back to childhood in the 80s.

What a day. First off, to be there when we won was such a magical experience, truly I can't put it into words. My wife is waking up so I'll post more later. Just so proud. Though Perry hit the dagger, I knew we had it when Sissoko made his shot a few possessions earlier.

Getting ready to hit the road for the Final. Hopefully I'll be able to hit the tailgate party thing the Alumni Association is putting on after we check in. Sorry I won't be here to "light the tower" tonight -- but I am sure y'all can take care of it for me. Probably won't be posting again till tomorrow - either very happy or sad the magic carpet ride is over. GMG

I could see both of them playing great, but I can also envision neither being up to their usual standards and having other guys have to carry the day. Walker hasn't been his usual self lately, but they keep winning. Perry kept us in the game on Tuesday in the first half, but everyone else picked up the slack in the 2nd. It'll be an interesting matchup, but I'm not sold the mano a mano thing will be the deciding factor. Who controls pace...that is what I'm more concerned about.

That is what concerns me to be honest. They've picked up the slack AND he's due to come out of a slump. We'll have to bring our A+ game.

Well, the first game Walker was out, so you can't take much away from that one. The second was an absolute fist fight. Of course they beat us the third time. We are very evenly matched. It's gonna be a brawl.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be talked about. I'm saying it shouldn't be talked about for about the next 14 hours given this is one of the biggest games in the history of the school.

I think we should lock this thread until after the game. We are playing for a CHAMPIONSHIP tonight. Let's focus on that.

Pete Shands actually holds the record with 217 wins.

I thought this was a great article on FAU's unlikely success. https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nasty-locker-room-tiny-gym-110004507.html

With this much smoke, I'd be stunned if it doesn't become official. Just wish it wasn't being reported so widely the day of the biggest game of the season.

Oh, this rundown of the NIT semis was posted by the guy who runs the NIT-ology stuff that was referenced so much while we we were in limbo about March. https://thebarkingcrow.com/about-last-nite-orleans-arena-rocks-conference-usa-rolls/

Roughly 16 hours away!

Pretty good getting to three pages considering the thread is barely over 24 hours old. We had a week to get the Wisconsin one to five before the game started.

Look, no one necessarily ever knows who will or won't work out in new coaches. However, when you have a successful program I want continuity so everyone doesn't skip town. Especially now with the transfer portal.

Hodge unless he doesn't want it.

Not unprecedented though. I feel like every March there is at least one school in the NCAA or NIT that has a local school do this because they can't send their band. In fact I want to say Farleigh Dickinson's first game they didn't have their band and Dayton's band filled in.

From what I remember they asked him if he knew McCasland would be a good coach someday and Drew said yes otherwise he wouldn't have hired him for his staff.

Solomon Bozeman is who gives me championship nightmares.

NT 61 UAB 59

The SEC and Big 10 are more prestigious historically than the Big 8/12, but of the two I'd only put the SEC above the Big 12 the last twenty five years. The Big 10 has one national title in that time span, and that was in 2000. They've made some Final Fouls where they didn't take it all the way, but I think I'd still rather be the Big 12 (even if it's mostly been Kansas pulling the cart for most of the last two decades plus). Best two leagues in that span have been the ACC and Big East.

I have, but only when the shooter has thrown their leg out much more than Perry did.

If we keep UAB under 60, we win. If they score 60-64...tossup. If they get over 65, Blazers probably hold up the hardware. Can't dig a big hole tomorrow.