The Big East could get shut out of the NIT this year.
They could also send three teams.
Most likely getting one in.
We’ll see.
St. John’s/Georgetown is a big game today, and Georgetown falls into that camp we’ve been talking about where a team with what would otherwise historically be an NIT-worthy résumé is sub-.500. We don’t know what the committee will do with such a team, but it’s possible they’d exclude them.
As was said, we’ll see.
Marquette – 2.8% NIT-Likely Entering Today
Doesn’t look great for the Golden Eagles, but surprises do happen, and a 50-point loss to Seton Hall might be enough to make committees give this website’s second-favorite Division I program in Milwaukee a good hard look.
Providence – 10.7% NIT-Likely
Providence really ruined it over the last few weeks. Hard to make the NIT when you’re winning six straight to end the regular season.
Still, they have a chance, and if the committees look too long at the non-conference portion of the résumé, the Friars’ prayers could be answered.
Xavier – 25.4% NIT-Likely
DePaul – 7.9% NIT-Likely
This Xavier/DePaul game tonight could go a long way towards getting the Big East a second, third, or even fourth NIT bid. The two are on opposite sides of the sweet spot right now, but neither is out of the NIT’s reach. Would be pretty magical if the pair pulled it off.
St. John’s – 58.4% NIT-Likely, Projected Six-Seed
Georgetown – 84.3% NIT-Likely, Projected Five-Seed
Meanwhile, this St. John’s/Georgetown could go a long way towards spoiling the Big East’s NIT dreams. The way that happens is this: Georgetown wins. St. John’s falls out of the field. Georgetown loses tomorrow. The committee decides to listen to those who believe no sub-.500 team belongs in America’s finest tournament. The Big East weeps.
