Softball Turned Down the NIT

KRAM1 · May 13, 2019

Reported today that Coach DeLing turned down an invite to the NIT tourney.

Looks like it’s the NCAA’s or nothing for softball. Nothing wrong with not settling for anything but the top.

Congrats on a great and record-setting season!

GrandGreen · May 13, 2019

Why would NT (Delong) turn down any post season offer? Doesn't make sense to me.

Maybe because of Trautwein's injury but can't think of any other reason.

Edited May 13, 2019 by GrandGreen

dml7007 · May 13, 2019

Could have been injuries, or that the team decided that they only wanted NCAA. Hell of a season, and hopefully a sign of what is to come. Need to get more consistent on the road.

Mean Green Matt · May 13, 2019

This is a little different than even the CIT or CBI. The spot is earned automatically the same way the basketball NIT is. I guess at the end of the day we must have had concerns about how worthwhile it was going to be.

UNTLifer · May 13, 2019

Trautwein's injury? Do tell, as I was unaware.

I wondered if the team was just tired, mentally and physically, at the end of the year.

Brett Vito · May 13, 2019

From last night:

FirefightnRick · May 13, 2019

Katie Clark has been nursing a wrist injury most of the season as well.

DeLong’s Austin Peay team made it to the second round last year, so he’s definitely familiar with that tournament.

But if they turned it down because of higher standards then I applauded them even more.

Looking forward to next fall.

Rick

Edited May 13, 2019 by FirefightnRick

gangrene · May 14, 2019

Whatever the reason may be, I disagree with the decision. Five seniors could have played a few more games together and winning the NIT would help prove the NCAA made a mistake by leaving us out.

It takes years and years of winning for a mid-major to earn the attention and respect of a selection committee. Just look at Louisiana, where a 50-4 record and #8 national ranking doesn’t even warrant a top 16 seed in the regionals.

UNT86 · May 14, 2019

I completely disagree with this decision. These girls earned the right to play postseason. I'm disappointed for them not to have the opportunity.

Mean Green Matt · May 14, 2019

2 hours ago, gangrene said:

Whatever the reason may be, I disagree with the decision. Five seniors could have played a few more games together and winning the NIT would help prove the NCAA made a mistake by leaving us out.

It takes years and years of winning for a mid-major to earn the attention and respect of a selection committee. Just look at Louisiana, where a 50-4 record and #8 national ranking doesn’t even warrant a top 16 seed in the regionals.

If it were my decision I absolutely would have played in the NIT, but the NCAA didn’t make a mistake leaving us out. We didn’t have the resume for an at large. Period.

UNTLifer · May 14, 2019

I would just like to know the reasoning behind turning down the invitation. If the team is beat up and nursing injuries, then I understand completely. If it was a no just because we are holding out for an NCAA bid, then I would question the decision.

untbowler · May 14, 2019

14 hours ago, gangrene said:

Whatever the reason may be, I disagree with the decision. Five seniors could have played a few more games together and winning the NIT would help prove the NCAA made a mistake by leaving us out.

It takes years and years of winning for a mid-major to earn the attention and respect of a selection committee. Just look at Louisiana, where a 50-4 record and #8 national ranking doesn’t even warrant a top 16 seed in the regionals.

Typical NCAA P5 bulls**t