The WNIT is a for-profit tournament that is not run by the NCAA. With a 64 team bracket, I guess the WNIT is able to keep other for-profit WBB tournaments from popping up. With Title IX being what it is, I'm a bit surprised the WNIT is not run by the NCAA (even if it had to drop down to a 32 team bracket).
I wonder if Tech was given a deadline to commit to either the CBI or CIT, but they wanted to see how things played out in other tournaments before making a commitment. I remember a good Tech football team missing out on a bowl game because Tech didn't want to commit at the time an offer was made. I find it difficult to believe there wasn't at least some interest in having the Bulldogs play in a tournament.
It looks like The Basketball Classic (CIT) still has the majority of their spots to fill (20 out of 32). Maybe we have a spot available there. Guess we will find out on Monday. UTEP is in that tournament, they play at home Tuesday night, opponent tbd. Yep tbd. LOL
There were other women's tournaments besides the WNIT before 2020 even with a 64-team WNIT. 132 teams is already more than enough in postseason play.
The NIT may be administered by the NCAA, but ESPN is really running it. And that is a problem.
Nobody wants to fork over a minimum $6,500 guarantee to host a TBC game. And who really needs additional travel expenses.
Not sure what to make of this statement on the TBC's website - "Each game of the Basketball Classic will be held on the campus of one of the participating schools. All gate receipts will be collected by the Basketball Classic, enabling a wider range of schools to participate. Schools can host Classic games without the responsibility of an additional financial commitment." It almost makes it sound like there is no set minimum a hosting school is required to guarantee. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ so maybe there is some money coming in from there. Of course even 1000 tickets at $10.00 would be $10,000. https://www.thebasketballclassic.com/about-us.php
I'm not a fan of pay for play tournaments -
''Don't be a bad dagh..."
But the program IS begging, if you understand what I mean.
Back in 1986 a 16-13 Tech got an NIT bid. Was that based on what the '86 team had done? Nope! It was born of the success the program was riding on. We were a known commodity and had the reputation of being a legit program. Yes, the '86 team did play, as I recall, a representative schedule vs. some toughies. But 16-13 was not good enough, on its own merits, to get us in. "Rep" got us in. And then we made the most of it by going 4-1 and reaching MSG, the Final Four.
So now, in 2022, Tech hoops is considered to be mediocre, a real Blah! No one is gonna do us any favors, we have to go out and seize it. Of course, it won't help to enter a pay-to-play and then lose early, especially be one and done. Maybe that's the real issue. No one in charge at Tech has any confidence in Konkol's bunch.
I don't see a need for CBI/CIT with this team. We have a solid core (only losing AA & X). I'd love to get the youngsters some PT, but you don't go to a tournament and sit AA & X.
What I wouldn't mind is a international summer trip. Once the roster is settle. With a trip like that, give your starters 5-10 minutes (if that much) and let the youngsters play.
Tony Paul @TonyPaul1984
I am hearing The Basketball Classic -- the old http://CollegeInsider.com tournament -- is having one hell of a time fielding a full 32-team tournament. Lots of schools have said no, including Oakland (which isn't healthy enough to play on). Detroit plays Florida Gulf Coast.
#VegasOcho @VegasSixteen Thoughts and prayers…