“Dance like nobody’s watching,” they say.
This must be where the NCAA T*urnament gets its nickname, “The Big Dance.”
For those of us with sound moral judgment, the news from last NITe, before we get to the landmarks ahead of us this evening:
- North Texas is still lethal.
- UC San Diego is a wagon but possibly too much of a wagon.
- Rutgers can be really, really fun. Coincidentally, they will probably be invited to the NIT.
- UAB’s not out of this yet.
- Chattanooga won the SoCon and is well-positioned to grab an automatic bid.
- Liberty’s (probably) going to win Conference USA, meaning only an NIT exempt bid will be available there, as opposed to the dual exempt bid/automatic bid scenario previously possible, in which Liberty got the exempt bid but Jacksonville State got an auto bid. This is what people mean when they say the USA’s heading in the wrong direction.
- Doug Gottlieb’s Green Bay is 2–2 over their last four. Don’t let the Phoenix get hot! If you do, they’ll be born again, younger and better than ever.
As for toNITe. Let’s rank the places you want to be:
1. Strahan Arena (San Marcos, TX)
Who knew Texas State was this fond of Marcus Strahan?
Texas State isn’t the focus tonight, but they’re a main character. James Madison’s looking to capture the Sun Belt crown, something that definitely happens if they win and I think also happens if South Alabama loses. Now. JMU’s not in a great spot to get an automatic bid to the NIT. Their ratings on the team sheet don’t average out to 125 or better. But first of all, every Sun Belt title rocks, and second of all, “not in a great spot” is better than being in no spot at all. The Dukes have one way to give themselves a chance. It’s to win tonight, preferably (for them) by a lot.
8:00 PM EST, ESPN+
2. Mitchell Center (Mobile, AL)
In basically the same position re: ratings but in a worse position re: Sun Belt title, South Alabama wins this league if they win and James Madison loses. Or at least, that’s how I understand things. We talked about Conference USA above. This is about USA, the school. If South Alabama can beat Louisiana by enough, maybe we’re looking at their NIT chances as the Sun Belt Tournament begins. Maybe. Sometimes, a maybe’s the best you can get.
8:00 PM EST, ESPN+
3. Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston, IL)
Up in the Midwest, Iowa’s trying to make a tournament too, and by that I mean the Big Ten Tournament. Meanwhile, Northwestern’s trying to thread that needle and dodge the College Basketball Crown while landing an NIT home game. What a scene.
9:00 PM EST, FS1
4. Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Nevada’s made it into our Next Four Out, and if there’s one thing that helps you climb the ladder, it’s winning on the road. It’s the Nevada state championship, and UNLV’s looking to keep Reno from running away with these hundred thousand square miles.
11:00 PM EST, FS1
5. Siegel Center (Richmond, VA)
VCU’s in a different Next Four Out, or something very close. The Rams need a damaging loss or two. They should be able to land one of those in the A-10 Tournament (God bless the A-10), but if they’re looking for another, tonight’s opportunity against Davidson could be the one to take.
7:00 PM EST, ESPN2
6. Rhodes Arena (Akron, OH)
The Colossus at Rhodes, they say. On one side, Kent State, whom some are calling the hottest team in the MAC. (And we’re not talking about their butts!) On the other, Akron, who can clinch the MAC title and an NIT automatic bid path with a victory.
9:00 PM EST, ESPN2
7. Fart-Ewing Coliseum (Monroe, LA)
Ok ok it’s Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, Louisiana. Would be funnier if it was Fart, though.
Arkansas State’s got a terrible path to the NIT, because they can’t win the Sun Belt title (unless I misunderstand those tiebreakers) and if they lose in the Sun Belt Tournament—a necessity—they’ll hurt their résumé. But, you know, hope and all that.
7:30 PM EST on ESPN+
8. Leede Arena (Hanover, NH)
Finally, Yale. We haven’t talked a lot about Yale this year, but if they can manage to slip up in the Ivy League Tournament, they’re ours. Consider this trip to Dartmouth a dry run.
5:00 PM EST, ESPN+
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