What a night it was.
What a first round it was.
Yes, the first sixteen contests of the NIT are in the books. Today, we take a break from basketball to rest and rejuvenate before the second round begins tomorrow evening.
Hearts were broken last night. Dreams were crushed. So often, we focus on the NIT champions—along with their fellow Final Four participants—that we forget those whose NIT experience ends in sorrow. Surely, they’re grateful to have played in such a tournament, and deservedly proud, for as the good bard says, ‘tis better to have played and lost than to have never played at all. But the sadness remains.
So, Campbell, Davidson, Hofstra, St. Francis (PA), Providence, Wright State, Dayton, South Dakota State, San Diego, Loyola, Georgetown, Furman, Alabama, Toledo, Sam Houston State, Butler—we bid you adieu. Until next year, if the fates align.
The last six of those saw their NIT journey (and it truly is a journey) end last night.
For Georgetown, it came slowly and steadily. All game, the Hoyas battled back and forth with Harvard, with neither team able to pull ahead by much. In the end, it was Harvard’s turn to advance, and Georgetown’s turn to enjoy the cherry blossoms along the tidal basin.
For Toledo, it came in a storm, with Xavier grabbing rebounds and scoring at will through the second half. Ohio has but one hope now, and it comes from Cincinnati.
For Furman, it came all at the end, for over the course of the night, it seemed Furman would find a way, but Markis McDuffie had other plans. Look to the plains, for something rises on the Arkansas.
For Alabama, it came in stunning fashion, for the Crimson Tide had led by ten just before the halftime break, and even as Norfolk State had chance after chance to seal the victory in regulation, the Spartans simply could not shut the door. But overtime came, and Norfolk State won out, becoming the tournament’s first eight-seed to win a game since Cal State-Bakersfield’s historic Final Four run. Ask not whether Avery Johnson will retain his job. Ask instead what Norfolk State can do in Boulder Monday night.
For Sam Houston State, it came mostly as expected. After giving TCU a good game for a half, the Bearkats couldn’t keep up over the second twenty minutes. Kai Mitchell’s 24 and 10 simply were not enough. Is Jamie Dixon on his way to etch his name in the NIT history books?
For Butler…well, it came at the hands of Johnny Trueblood.
No, the 6’3” walk-on from Omaha with a name like one from a Clair Bee novel didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, but his presence was felt, both physically and emotionally.
Down to just seven players, Tim Miles has turned to Trueblood as of late, and Trueblood has answered the call. In front of a noisy crowd, in the midst of a testy game, Trueblood played 31 minutes. He pushed in six points. He grabbed seven rebounds. He doled out five assists. No, he didn’t carry the Huskers, as the Roby/Palmer/Watson triumvirate did, but he did his part, and in what sounds to have been Tim Miles final home game as Nebraska’s head coach, that part made all the difference.
For Butler, it’s back to Indiana and back to the drawing board. For Nebraska, it’s on down to Fort Worth, where a giant awaits.
Enjoy the day off, NIT fans. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.
