Forget Me Not: A Letter From The NIT Regarding Their Final Four
Taking a look at the NIT and the final four teams remaining.
Hello, I am the NIT.
Please don't forget about me on Mar. 28 and Mar. 30. My games will be played at Madison Square Garden and I promise they'll be entertaining! Plus, you won't have any trouble finding me this time because ESPN will show all three of my remaining games!
Now that that's out of the way, I must admit that I'm down in the dumps a bit.
The people at Indiana told me my tournament wasn't good enough for Assembly Hall. Well, actually they lied to me at first, then the media told me my tournament wasn't good enough for Assembly Hall.
That one hurt my feelings. I mean, if you Hoosiers really feel that way, don't RSVP next time. We would have much rather had someone who was appreciative of the invitation. (I'm sorry, Auburn.)
Also, where was everyone on Mar. 19 between 7-9 p.m.? I had a second round game only attract 62,000 viewers! If the 8:00 a.m. airing of Bassmasters can get over 100,000 viewers, then why can't a postseason college basketball game?
I'm sorry for my gripes. I know most of you probably have some amount of money riding on that other tournament…Which reminds me, why don't people go crazy filling out my bracket?
I had Syracuse this year. I had Illinois this year. Cal, Georgia, Iowa, the list goes on and on. My bracket would have actually been fun this year.
Maybe I need to talk to someone at ESPN. After all, they show ALL of my games, but don't have any contests featuring my event? Surely, someone over there can help me out. I just need to act fast before their next round of lay-offs.
Actually, I have an idea. Maybe I can try some wacky rule changes to draw more attention to my tournament.
Nevermind, we already did that.
Let me take a few deep breaths here.
I just need to settle down and accept my event for what it is: a ho-hum showcase until it eventually reaches the Big Apple.
I can live with that. I mean, who else can say they have quality basketball at Madison Square Garden this time of the year?
Nobody. (NBA teams included.)
I'm starting to feel better, especially since I'm getting the feeling everyone is going to watch those games on Mar. 28 and Mar. 30. After all, there's no excuse not too. I have them scheduled perfectly, on nights where there isn't anything better to watch, if you catch my drift.
Plus, the four remaining teams are actually big-time programs! Well, three of them are big-time and one is a….what do those people call it….oh yeah, a Cinderella team.
Now, let me tell you who will be there, so you can prepare.
(Teams listed from lowest seed to highest seed)
TCU Horned Frogs
Yeah, unlike the NCAA Tournament, none of the No. 1 seeds are still alive.
TCU is a great story, having only won 12 games all of last year. Their hiring of Jamie Dixon turned out to be a great move and a solid investment.
The Horned Frogs beat Fresno State, Iowa and Richmond to earn their way here.
According to KenPom, TCU is the No. 38 ranked team in the nation.
TCU will play Central Florida on Mar. 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET, with the Horned Frogs coming in as two-point favorites.
UCF Golden Knights
Like TCU, the Golden Knights are the highest seeded team still alive.
However, UCF had a more difficult draw to reach this point. They beat Colorado, Illinois State and Illinois to earn their ticket to the Big Apple.
According to KenPom, Central Florida is the No. 64 team in the nation.
UCF will play Texas Christian on Mar. 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET, with the Golden Knights coming in as two-point underdogs.
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
Definitely the most recognizable of the remaining four teams, Georgia Tech also has a first-year coach getting it done. In fact, Josh Pastner was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2017.
These guys benefited from the aforementioned Indiana fiasco and were able to play their opening round game at home (rather than Assembly Hall). They took advantage of the Hoosiers' stubbornness and followed it up with wins against Belmont and Ole Miss.
According to KenPom, Georgia Tech is the No. 77 team in the nation.
The Yellowjackets will play CSU Bakersfield on Mar. 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Georgia Tech coming in as one-point favorites.
CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners
CSU Bakersfield is the best underdog story in all of college hoops.
They earned their way into the NIT by winning the WAC regular season title, but no one gave them much of a shot. However, they promptly beat Pac-12 juggernaut California, then followed it up with wins over Colorado State and UT-Arlington.
According to KenPom, the Roadrunners are the lowest ranked of all four remaining teams, coming in at No. 84.
While it looks like a David vs. Goliath battle on paper, CSU Bakersfield is only a one-point underdog to Georgia Tech in their Mar. 28 game. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Well, I appreciate everyone reading all the way through, now all I need to you to do is tune in to the semifinal on Mar. 28 and championship on Mar. 30.
Forget me not,
NIT
(You can see the official updated NIT bracket here.)
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