It is March. It is the time when the California sun comes out, the Midwestern snow begins to thaw and the East Coast can lower the temperature on their thermostat for the first time in months. It also means that no matter where you are from, no matter how many layers of clothing you take off when the spring time begins, you all have one thing on your minds and it is not how much sunblock you need to take to Cabo. On the contrary, it is a phenomena known as March Madness. This is the time when the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament takes center stage not just in the collegiate world, but of all of sports. It is an honored, exhilarating tradition, that actually extends beyond one final post season game (such as with football). The single elimination format can have even the most tame of sports fans on the edge of their seats. With “bracketologists” working over time, journalists capturing the “Cinderella story” of the season and fans buying plane tickets to places as mundane as Omaha, Nebraska to watch their teams no matter how low or high the seed, it is no wonder why they call it March Madness. However, with the advent of my beloved Trojans (pictured left: The second round of the 2007 NCAA tournament) dropping below 5th in the Pac 10 and out of tournament consideration (this year's appearance would have been a historic three in a row for USC), I have had to take a second look at a part of the post season that often gets lost in the madness: The National Invitational Tournament. More commonly known as The NIT, it has become the step child of the basketball post season. Going to the NIT if you are a Duke or UCLA is like going to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl if you are Ohio State or USC. It may be alright if you are a smaller school, a lower level Division I program, but if you have any sort of clout in the Division I world, the NIT is merely a consolation prize; Something to keep you busy so you do not find yourself depressed while watching other schools in the tournament. However, after reading the history of the NIT, and coming from a school that might be playing in it this year, I believe it is safe to say that this tournament is more than just a second rate post season experience, but a crucial part of the entity known as March Madness. And do the players see it the same way? Without making a sweeping generalization, it safe to say that most appreciate it for what it is. One of this year's competators, Baylor's Curtis Jerrells said before the NIT finals "It is not the NCAA tournament, we are in the NIT but whatever you are doing you should be fully devoted to it." What is it though? The oldest post season tournament in college basketball. The now more famous NCAA tournament followed a year later. One of the most intrig
uing aspects is that their Final Four always play at the historic Madison Square Garden (pictured here) thus juxtaposing tradition from the professional and university level worlds in one game. When first started in 1938, the entire tournament was played at this sight. One of its most memorable moments occurred in 1970 when Marquette turned down a bid to the NCAA tournament to play in the NIT and subsequently won. In what could be considered a brilliant, but bizarre strategic move, then Coach Al Maguire decided a longer duration in a lower level tournament and a chance a title was more beneficial then a harder tournament with a lesser chance at winning it all.
uing aspects is that their Final Four always play at the historic Madison Square Garden (pictured here) thus juxtaposing tradition from the professional and university level worlds in one game. When first started in 1938, the entire tournament was played at this sight. One of its most memorable moments occurred in 1970 when Marquette turned down a bid to the NCAA tournament to play in the NIT and subsequently won. In what could be considered a brilliant, but bizarre strategic move, then Coach Al Maguire decided a longer duration in a lower level tournament and a chance a title was more beneficial then a harder tournament with a lesser chance at winning it all. Though this may be the only time someone has ever turned down an invitation to what people affectionately call “The Dance,” the incident makes one think. If we ignored the modern day rhetoric of the NIT, and looked at it for what it really is (Another post season tournament), we see its potential rather than its flaws. We see that it truly has a place in the post season. Just as not every player has the capabilities or maturity to play on a ranked team at a large school, not every team has the capability or maturity to play at a large national tournament. Though a challenge is deemed by most an important part of sport, sometimes an overwhelming atmosphere such as the NCAA tournament can cause a team to falter instead of flourish. If only there were a slightly smaller tournament, designed similarly to the NCAA, with just as much history, but not as much pressure for those teams who need an intermediate step. Wait one second. There is such a tournament: The NIT. This tournament will never be as large or as competitive as the NCAA. The final winner could probably never beat the NCAA champion (though that would be a fascinating experiment). That is not its place. It plays an important role in the post season, one that allows the entire basketball world to participate and progress, not just a select few. Though most consider it an honor to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament, not every team is mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with such an honor. Does that mean they should be limited to sitting at home and watching others continue to hone their skills in extra games? No. It just means they need another tournament. A tournament that will encourage success at any level and help teams eventually reach a point where they can compete with larger, more established programs.
March Madness is one of the most exciting times in sport. You will never hear the complaints about it like you do for the BCS (Bowl Championship Series). Though a higher seed sets you up for success, any school, no matter high or low their ranking coming in has a fair chance at winning the title of “Best College Basketball Team of the Year.” The tournament system is a proven one. We must look at the National Invitational Tournament as having its own important place, one that contributes to the success of the game of basketball and its players and not a mere consolation prize for those who do not receive a bid to the NCAA tournament. Just like smaller bowls allow for extra playing time, revenue and success during football season, the NIT provides the same during the basketball post season. Now if we could only come up with a comparable two tournament, bowl inclusive, system for football season. I might one day be writing about “January Jazz” like I do “March Madness.”
March Madness is one of the most exciting times in sport. You will never hear the complaints about it like you do for the BCS (Bowl Championship Series). Though a higher seed sets you up for success, any school, no matter high or low their ranking coming in has a fair chance at winning the title of “Best College Basketball Team of the Year.” The tournament system is a proven one. We must look at the National Invitational Tournament as having its own important place, one that contributes to the success of the game of basketball and its players and not a mere consolation prize for those who do not receive a bid to the NCAA tournament. Just like smaller bowls allow for extra playing time, revenue and success during football season, the NIT provides the same during the basketball post season. Now if we could only come up with a comparable two tournament, bowl inclusive, system for football season. I might one day be writing about “January Jazz” like I do “March Madness.”
Fantastic post. It is great to see someone give some recognition to the "step child of college basketball" as you put it. It really is too bad that the NIT has fallen by the wayside in favor of the NCAA tournament over the past few decades as I think the level of competition is just as good, if not better than the NCAA tourney, albeit the teams may not be. I loved your anecdote on how Marquette snubbed the NCAA in favor of the NIT and won it as a result. I have to think that if the NIT could get as favorable a television deal as the NCAA, people would be willing to tune in. The majority of the teams in the NIT are still recognizable schools that have their own respective fan bases and it would be great to see them have more coverage than being simply pushed to ESPN 2 and the like. I wonder if there have been cases where teams with young players were not good enough to make it the NCAA tourney, but gained important experience that translated to later success on the bigger stage of the NCAA. It would seem that as a college sports fan the NIT could provide a nice primer to what the next year could hold for the young, more inconsistent teams.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally as a sports fan in general I completely agree with March Madness being much more satisfying than college football. Winning either the NCAA or the NIT takes a combination of both skill and endurance, qualities that are often overlooked in the one off bowl system college football currently runs. Your post obviously shows you're a dedicated sports fan who enjoys all aspects of college sports, not just the well televised ones, and this post is much appreciated
Overall, your post is very well structured and articulated. I love the fact that although you are an expert in the sports field, you gave a detailed description and background on your topic, taking care of people like me, who is clueless on the complexities of sport systems, knowing only to scream when the team I favor scores. My concern is, maybe this was what you intended, but for me, your post served to give merely a historic background and introduction on the NIT to basketball novices. Interesting as it is, there was not much of your insight or opinions in your post. I believe it would be nice to relate the existence of NIT despite the NCAA being the all-time favorite for basketball fans, to how other sports such as football could do the same. I see that you did so in your last paragraph, but it is possible to expand it. Also, maybe bring out how some sports such as tennis and swimming have comparable tournaments, just like NIT versus NCAA. By giving “lower seed” teams a chance, how has comparable tournaments benefited players in those teams or increased their incentive to training and interest in the sport?
ReplyDeleteHope this helps. I loved your post. Good job!