AAC Tourney Prediction

Son Of A Flying Worm · 2025-03-11T16:40:34Z

The CBC is a Fox Sports tournament focused on conferences for which they have TV rights: Big 10, Big 12, Big East. Their selection process will feature at large teams, but I'd be floored if we received an invitation. The tournament isn't geared toward us.

We would get a NIT invitation and at least one game at the Super Pit based on the more mid-major friendly selection criteria this year and the number of SEC teams who will qualify for the NCAAT alone. Not to pile on to @Matt from A700 because he's an awesome fan, but the idea of declining a NIT invitation to participate in the CBI --- a pay-for-play tournament with absolutely no prestige --- is wild. It ain't gonna happen.

However, I agree with @Matt from A700 and others who have stated that the way for us to grow our fan base and the respect of a broad audience is through the big dance. Gotta consistently get there and win. Diehards and hoop heads know we have a really good program, but the little brother tournaments don't move the needle.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the men's and women's teams made it to the big dance this year? Fingers and toes crossed.

greenminer · 2025-03-11T16:40:48Z

30 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Tell me y'all wouldn't love to get a crack at the Longhorns/Ponies/Horned Frogs/Tar Heels/Villanova/etc... in POSTSEASON PLAY.

Between the people that vote NO when it comes to the NIT, and another group of people that think losing to High Point, Utah State, and McNeese State is pathetic....I think there is some overlap. Probably a lot.

NorthTexasWeLove · 2025-03-11T17:27:47Z

46 minutes ago, greenminer said:

Between the people that vote NO when it comes to the NIT, and another group of people that think losing to High Point, Utah State, and McNeese State is pathetic....I think there is some overlap. Probably a lot.

Losing to HP and Mcneese is pathetic. Js. Bad scheduling = bad losses.

MeanGreenTexan · 2025-03-11T17:29:54Z

5 minutes ago, greenminer said:

Between the people that vote NO when it comes to the NIT, and another group of people that think losing to High Point, Utah State, and McNeese State is pathetic....I think there is some overlap. Probably a lot.

I get having high standards and all... but honestly, I think we're already there.
Over the past 7 regular seasons, we've won:
'18-19: 21 games
'19-20: 20 games
'20-21: 17 games (5 games cancelled due to Covid)
'21-22: 24 games
'22-23: 26 games
'23-24: 18 games (Mac->Hodge transition)
'24-25: 23 games

During that same stretch, we've won the CBI Championship, the NIT Championship, and a NCAA Tourney game during post season play.

Basketball people recognize us as a very good team.

Matt from A700 · 2025-03-11T18:31:11Z

2 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Tell me y'all wouldn't love to get a crack at the Longhorns/Ponies/Horned Frogs/Tar Heels/Villanova/etc... in POSTSEASON PLAY.

I would love to play a team like that in the postseason, especially at home, if they accept the bid. Last year 15 P6's declined the invite.

CMJ · 2025-03-11T18:50:14Z

2 hours ago, Big Z said:

Why are we even talking about NIT right now?

Fans - some want NIT

UNT Basketball Players - "We really have some fans that think we are not good enough for the NCAA Tournament?"

I don't think anyone WANTS the NIT per se. The only debate was if it'd be better to be one and done in the NCAAs vs a deep run to the semis of the NIT and/or win it. Having experienced both situations as a fan, I know which I preferred (NIT title).

Since I don't know the future, anyone with a brain would rather take a chance at the NCAA Tournament because a Sweet 16 type of run (which given our defensive style of play would frustrate many/most schools and is a possibility) would be the biggest thing to happen to our athletic program since the Don January Golf National Championships.

We can totally win the AAC this weekend. Should we do so, we're exactly the kind of squad your average 5 seed doesn't want to see.

Edited 13 hours ago by CMJ

MeanGreenTexan · 2025-03-11T19:27:22Z

27 minutes ago, CMJ said:

I don't think anyone WANTS the NIT per se. The only debate was if it'd be better to be one and done in the NCAAs vs a deep run to the semis of the NIT and/or win it. Having experienced both situations as a fan, I know which I preferred.

Since I don't know the future, anyone with a brain would rather take a chance at the NCAA Tournament because a Sweet 16 type of run (which given our defensive style of play would frustrate many/most schools and is a possibility) would be the biggest thing to happen to our athletic program since the Don January Golf National Championships.

We can totally win the AAC this weekend. Should we do so, we're exactly the kind of squad your average 5 seed doesn't want to see.

I see it the exact same way.

CMJ was just saying that if you could see the future, and NT was guaranteed to either be a 1-&-done in the NCAA's OR win the NIT, he would choose the NIT route (as would I).
But, since there's no way to see the future, he (and I, and everyone else) would rather get the NCAA Tournament bid & see what happens.
The discussion morphed some when Matt from A700 said he'd rather take a CBI bid instead of a NIT bid (in the event we don't get into the NCAAT.
I don't think anyone here is hoping we DON'T make the NCAAT because it might be too difficult to win, and would rather play the NIT because it would be a little easier.

NT80 · 2025-03-11T19:52:38Z

2 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

During that same stretch, we've won the CBI Championship, the NIT Championship, and a NCAA Tourney game during post season play.

Basketball people recognize us as a very good team.

But yet they don't.

I have heard only one (1) ESPN broadcaster this season (paid basketball people) make reference to our NIT Championship.

Some said we participated in it last year, but no other comments on winning the Whole Tournament only one and a half seasons ago.

kingwoodgreen · 2025-03-11T19:54:37Z

14 hours ago, CMJ said:

The NIT isn't anything close to being the HOD Bowl. I don't think people realize how tough it even is to get into the NIT. There are over 350 D1 schools. You basically have to be in the top quarter to make it into either tournmnent.

There are like 40 Bowl games...over 60% the schools that play DI football make one.

Making the NIT is like...making the Gator Bowl or something. If somehow we ended up in the Gator Bowl that'd be the biggest deal the football team had ever accomplished.

Could I just say I am happy with just the fact we are having this conversation 🙃

BigWillie · 2025-03-11T21:01:57Z

On 3/10/2025 at 3:39 PM, greenminer said:

Can you link to a good example from another conference bracket? I want to see what you're thinking.

Not sure if they have one for any college. I was just thinking in general, like the NBA has. https://www.nba.com/standings

BigWillie · 2025-03-11T21:09:41Z

2 hours ago, CMJ said:

I don't think anyone WANTS the NIT per se. The only debate was if it'd be better to be one and done in the NCAAs vs a deep run to the semis of the NIT and/or win it. Having experienced both situations as a fan, I know which I preferred (NIT title).

Since I don't know the future, anyone with a brain would rather take a chance at the NCAA Tournament because a Sweet 16 type of run (which given our defensive style of play would frustrate many/most schools and is a possibility) would be the biggest thing to happen to our athletic program since the Don January Golf National Championships.

We can totally win the AAC this weekend. Should we do so, we're exactly the kind of squad your average 5 seed doesn't want to see.

Yes, exactly! No one is saying we don't want a NCAAT spot, but the path to that is much tougher, so people look at both possibilities.

So, TLDR;

1. NCAAT bid

2. NIT deep run

Both are perfectly ok to me.

NT80 · 2025-03-11T23:10:54Z

2 hours ago, BigWillie said:

Yes, exactly! No one is saying we don't want a NCAAT spot, but the path to that is much tougher, so people look at both possibilities.

So, TLDR;

1. NCAAT bid

2. NIT deep run

Both are perfectly ok to me.

What gets more mileage with growing our fanbase....one distant game in the NCAAT, or 2+ games in the NIT including a home game?

Big Z · 2025-03-11T23:14:55Z

3 minutes ago, NT80 said:

What gets more mileage with growing our fanbase....one distant game in the NCAAT, or 2+ games in the NIT including a home game?

The Big Dance

MeanGreenGlory · 2025-03-11T23:20:49Z

On 3/10/2025 at 1:32 PM, Matt from A700 said:

I honestly would not be surprised if we declined an NIT invitation. Three straight years... everyone involved with UNT is tired of the NIT instead of NCAAT. I could actually see them opting for the CBI to gift the team a quick week in Florida over the AD potentially having to market three more home games.

The AD markets home games?