The dust has now settled, leaving us all to ponder the most important question coming out of prize recruit Cade Cunningham’s decision to stay committed to Oklahoma State despite the NCAA’s attempt to ban the school from the upcoming postseason:
How does this affect the NIT?
In the event that Oklahoma State doesn’t appeal, or appeals unsuccessfully, the answer is—of course—that it doesn’t. But if they appeal successfully…
Don’t forget: Oklahoma State was on the verge of an NIT berth this past March when the coronavirus asserted itself so forcefully upon our consciousness. They’re presumably graduating some guys. They’re probably losing a guy or more via transfer. I clearly either have not looked at their roster or looked but found no answers. Yes, they have a very good class of recruits coming in, but this isn’t some team like Kansas with no chance of making the Tournament. They’re still very much oriented towards the promised land, and Cunningham gives them a piece who could conceivably take over in March…
…provided that he plays in March. We’ve seen it before with guys awaiting the NBA Draft: They’re pressured to sit out the NIT in an effort by the shadowy figures who run basketball behind the scenes (Kim Jong Un, potentially) to keep them from realizing how much cooler the NIT is than the NBA and shouting it from the rooftops.
Of course, if Cunningham was completely susceptible to these shadowy charms, he’d be committed to the G-League right now, so there’s some hope for the Pokes. But wanting to play and getting oneself on the court are two different things. Just ask…wow, I’ve already forgotten UNC’s point guard’s name from this year. I feel bad about that. I liked him.
Anyway, so much has to go right for Cunningham to impact the NIT that at this point, you’re probably better off focusing on other things for the time being—things that don’t depend on the effectiveness of social distancing measures, the ruling of whoever rules on NCAA appeals, Oklahoma State playing well enough but also poorly enough to be in the NIT realm, and the whims of a man younger than 20.
Cole Anthony. That was his name. Yikes. Had to look it up.
