For all the excitement that has, at times, accompanied Georgia Tech’s NIT campaign, the Yellow Jackets haven’t spent much time actually within the NIT picture. Our NIT Bracketology has featured them what looks to be exactly zero times, and while it’s the wins over Kentucky, Nebraska (piñata game), UNC, and now Clemson that define Josh Pastner’s team in our minds, it’s the home losses to Georgia State and Mercer that define them on the team sheet.
Now, tomorrow the NIT Bracketology thing might change. That was an emphatic victory (almost wrote empathetic why do I always do that). But for the time being, it’s good to remember: Pastner’s return to the NIT is no sure thing.
Other notes for today:
- We won’t talk about Kentucky’s loss, because Kentucky’s not in the NIT picture, and no this doesn’t count as talking about Kentucky’s loss we’re just talking about talking about Kentucky’s loss.
- St. Bonaventure beat VCU in Olean, or like, right next to it. I don’t know. I’ve never been to St. Bonaventure. Or Olean. Or both at the same time. I wouldn’t know. Anyway, it wasn’t very close, which probably helps VCU? But not the Bonnies?
- Arkansas deftly nudged out a victory over the Auburns in Fayetteville, avoiding a loss but avoiding winning by too much at the same time.
- Providence beat Creighton in Omaha, and I think we can probably kiss the Friars goodbye for now. Not in a weird way or anything. Just, like, somberly on the forehead.
- Weird loss for Colorado in Seattle, but they’re still a ways out of the picture, if nature does not deceive me. Respect, though. We’ll keep our eye on you, Ralphie’s people.
- Duquesne held off Rhode Island in Pittsburgh, which means our model will probably hold off putting URInation back in the projected NIT field tomorrow.
- UNC did not lose to Wake Forest. Guess they aren’t as competitive with Duke as we thought.
- Curious one between USC and Stanford tonight. USC’s coming off that glorious loss to Oregon State. Stanford’s on the bubble. Only one can lose, but if they both play badly enough, we can count it as a win for both.
- Rutgers visits Penn State in a Big Ten Bubble Bonanza Basketball Breakdown Bash (the coveted BTBBBBB).
- Wichita State goes to Memphis. There’s a scenario in which each team helps its NIT case. There’s a scenario in which each team destroys its NIT case (ok that was an overstatement they’ll both be fine if the Shockers win it just won’t help them).
- Colorado State/Utah State rematch. Fire up the dramometer.
- Saint Mary’s and San Francisco try to get the WCC back on the map with attainable road games at Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara.
- Finally, shoutout to the WAC. Not for anything in particular. It’s just a funny conference these days. Only five teams are postseason-eligible. And no one’s ineligible because of violations! And they’re bringing back football? More like Wack am I right?!
