A 21-point comeback. A rowdy crowd. Final-minute chaos.
The Boise State/SMU game had everything last night, and when the Devonaire Doutrive basket had gone in, and when whoever’s leg collided with the ball for SMU had walked back onto the court, and when the final horn had sounded, we were reminded once again why the NIT is America’s premier tournament of any kind, let alone in the March-centric-college-basketball category.
Boise State survived, and that’s no small part of the story. They’re banged up, yes, but they’ve made it to the NIT Quarterfinals, where anything can happen.
Also advancing last night was NC State. There was some doubt about NC State’s ability to hang with Davidson, but Davidson shot 29% from deep, and when you shoot 29% from deep, it isn’t too hard to hang with you. Easy victory for the Wolf Pack.
Tonight:
7:00 PM EDT: Colorado State vs. Buffalo. ESPN2.
What many are calling the best game of the first round (on paper—it would be unfair to expect a game to compete with Boise State/SMU) kicks us off tonight, with top overall seed Colorado State playing a spunky Buffalo team the sharps are calling a threat to make quite the run. How did the top overall seed draw such a tough first round opponent? Well, there aren’t exactly free passes in the NIT. Unlike in *some* tournaments.
9:00 PM EDT: Mississippi vs. Louisiana Tech. ESPN2.
Conference USA’s having a big week. Half the first round games are at North Texas, and North Texas’s court is looking lit. Western Kentucky won their opener. This one’s in Frisco, so the UNT angle isn’t there, but the winner does get Big Red, meaning if Louisiana Tech pulls off the upset, C-USA’s guaranteed a Final Four appearance.
Don’t get too excited, though. Mississippi’s one of the favorites to win this whole thing, and if there’s anyone who’s going to be vaguely aware of the school in Ruston, it’s the school in Oxford. The Fighting Confederate Imageries might not be motivated (that’s always a question, especially with these openers), but they won’t be caught off guard.
***
No other real notes for today, so a quick consideration on motivation: Whether NIT participants are motivated or not is always a big question. This year, is it possible a higher percentage are motivated because self-selection was a thing?
Food for thought.
