We’ve got fresh NIT Bracketology today, and Maryland’s a one-seed. A Maryland NIT berth has been a dream of ours for a while, because of Scott Van Pelt’s influence over the sports world and our own belief we’d do pretty well in a five-minute late-night ESPN interview (there would be mischief, I can promise you that). Without anything else too, too exciting (It’s all very exciting, but this is a less exciting NIT Bracketology than some weeks), let’s focus our vibes on that. Everyone picture me, on your television, this March, with you sitting on a dark couch trying not to wake your beloved while you eat cookies, drink milk, and support the NIT movement fervently, rapturously whisper-cheering as I explain to Mr. Van Pelt that the NIT is actually more selective than that other tournament, and he should be proud to have Maryland there, and he responds by saying he is proud to have Maryland there, and together we sing that song from Les Mis about revolution (there’s probably more than one of those but I assume you know which one I mean) and then go defenestrate NCAA leadership.
Ahh. The glory of a dream.
Other NIT noteworthy notes:
- To get into our lives, Maryland had to lose at home by kind of a lot to Rutgers. Respect, Terps. We can tell you want it.
- Marquette hurt themselves by beating Creighton in Omaha, but there’s something about those guys that makes us never assume they’re gone for good.
- Clemson plays Virginia Tech tonight, and if that doesn’t scream NIT at you I don’t know why it’s screaming NIT at me. One of us must be wrong.
- Minnesota takes on Illinois tonight, and the Gophers are in a dangerous spot of wanting wins but not wanting too many wins. Better to let this one pass, buddies.
- Furman visits Alabama tonight, and yes, we’re probably going to say that again in the NIT Second Round, so enjoy this foreshadowy event. A taste of spring in the depths of wintry despair.
- Loyola goes to Madison tonight, and there’s a solid chance they win, which would lead the hype train to do a big “CHOO CHOO” before Loyola, whose schedule lacks anyone else of note, loses two or three conference games they shouldn’t and ends up with an NIT automatic bid while the mid major blogosphere loses its mind. It’s a beautiful thing, this life we live.
- Josh Pastner looks to continue saying “Whoa, look what I just did!” as his Yellow Jackets match up with Florida State tonight. He probably won’t be able to say it, but there’s a chance, and if he does get to say it we’re also going to find out exactly how many coronavirus piñatas that man purchased. I hope the answer is more than one.
