LA Tech and MSU Square Off in NIT Semifinals

[LT]

Back in 1986 we beat Florida in the 3rd place game after losing to 7 footer Brad Sellers and the Ohio State in the semis. I'm sort of glad they don't have those consolation games anymore.

[LT]

My bad. There is a third place game. Gotta beat Colorado State.

[johnnylightnin]

Watch the game then come back and comment...

Yes, kudos to Moo State for great shooting. Those two guards are sensational. They were, what, 9 of 13 from the arc combined, and shot close to 60% from the floor overall. It's easy to say we didn't guard those guys close enough, but even when we did they were knocking down shots, and besides, a good half-court offense can free up shooters with "off the ball" screens and good passing. The ball can be moved around faster than defenders can move. Chances are, even with good reffing, we would have still lost, but by no more than 5 or 6 points, which means we would have had a "puncher's chance" to pull it out. The zebras took away any chance we might have had. That's the point.

Not to mention, when we looked sternly at their players, a foul was called. You can’t tell me that didn’t soften up our D.

Yes, they beat us. No, it wasn’t close. BUT, uneven officiating early set the tone for the game. That paired with lights out shooting really put us behind the 8 ball.

Kolby being out meant that we really didn’t have anyone to run the offense. It’s sort of like when the Saints played the Broncos with no QB.

[HogDawg]

My bad. There is a third place game. Gotta beat Colorado State.

....Yep, according to Wikipedia, "The 2021 tournament also will feature a third-place game Sunday, March 28, which hasn’t been played at the NIT since 2003."


I think we are very fortunate. I look at it at just another opportunity for our younger players to get more experience, including Junior Lofton, who will be a MONSTER next year. And the fact that this year's NIT is being played so close to Ruston --in Frisco TX-- for the first time ever, is just a huge bonus.

[dawg80]

I hope, and expect, the Dawgs to come out foaming at the mouth, eager to end the season on a positive note. It will haunt them if they finish an otherwise good season on an 0-2 note.

I can tell you from experience finishing 4th sucks! In the Olympics you don't get a metal for 4th place. When I played soccer at Tech we lost to Tennessee in the semis of the Mobile Tournament, and then most of the guys were so disgusted they didn't want to play the 3rd place game, which was one hour after the end of the semi. We got drilled by Tulane 6-1 in the consolation game. That week in practice a murmur started "never again." We had had a great tourney in Mobile, beating Georgia, Georgia Tech, and South Alabama to win our group, and then lost a toughie to Tennessee 3-2. UT beat Florida State 5-0 in the final. We realized we were as good as any team there, but that loss to Tulane stuck in our craw.

A month later, we found ourselves in that situation again, having lost to Florida 4-3 in the semis of the Pensacola tournament. We had the host school, West Florida, in the consolation match...we clobbered 'em 8-0. The ref said to us afterwards, "you guys were a pack of pissed-off dogs out there." Made the drive back to Ruston a whole lot more pleasant than the return from Mobile had been.

So, trust me when I tell ya, it matters.

[Tech52]

Adu fouling out early in the 2nd half.

THIS
Adu was getting the benefit on almost everything. And praised every time.

[Cal&Ken]

Trashing on Lofton while slobbering over the SEC was so unnecessary. He has put up plenty points today. He’s been mugged multiple times for no calls. He’s done fine.

I HATED hearing that garbage over and over and over. It that piece of crap was a better announcer, he would have been at the NCAA tournament. His condescending comments were unnecessary and obnoxious!

[dawg80]

Moo State's Stewart was 1 of 10 today, 0 for 5 from the arc....of course. He made all of his shot allotment yesterday.

[Blue Dawg]

Moo State's Stewart was 1 of 10 today, 0 for 5 from the arc....of course. He made all of his shot allotment yesterday.

Make sure we give Memphis an address so they know where to send the gift basket

[HogDawg]

Moo State's Stewart was 1 of 10 today, 0 for 5 from the arc....of course. He made all of his shot allotment yesterday.

I know. I told my son yesterday when we were at the MSU game, that there's no way in hell Mississippi State can replicate this performance. Unfortunately, Mississippi State played their very best game of their season yesterday, against us. They just couldn't miss.

[skilldawg]

Moo State's Stewart was 1 of 10 today, 0 for 5 from the arc....of course. He made all of his shot allotment yesterday.

Konkol acknowledged that the entire game plan was based upon them shooting poorly throughout the season. They had their best game, by far, of the season.

[CaseyDawg]

Konkol acknowledged that the entire game plan was based upon them shooting poorly throughout the season. They had their best game, by far, of the season.

This just points out the minuscule margin or error that “mid majors” must deal with in getting in the NCAA tournament. Imagine that all four NIT games had been in the regular season, and literally this one game when MSU shouts lights out is the difference in Tech getting into the tournament. On the other hand, had Ole Miss won two other SEC games a Tech loss does not keep them out of the tournament.

Then you add the fact that CUSA usually has 3-5 teams that could all pull an upset in the NCAA’s (see part 6 tournaments) plus another 3-5 teams that can get hot and beat any of the top teams, and teams can literally not afford an off night or another teams getting hot. The selection committee should recognized this.

I hope Tech can keep this core group of players together for a few more years. They are fun to watch and can be the next CUSA team to pull off an NCAA upset.