NCAA, NIT, and Bowl Games

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

As you know, about 80 of 120 D1 teams go to football bowl games. Do the math, and you realize that's 67% of teams that go to bowls.

For some context and perspective, consider this: 68 basketball teams are in the NCAA Tourney and 32 more in the NIT, a total of 100 teams. But there are over 350 D1 basketball teams, so only about 28% of D1 basketball teams play in the top two post-season tournaments.

So maybe some players and fans--and maybe even an AD over in Indiana--ought to have a little more respect for the NIT.

Just thought I'd share, FWIW.

 

[yippitiyiyo]

If you are declaring the "top" post season tournaments, then you might want to clarify the "top" bowl games.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

I said "top" because there are other tournaments, but they are all but meaningless in terms of my point. But please carry on.

 

[yippitiyiyo]

What I'm saying is the bowl games are the same way. Mac vs Sun belt. MWest vs a nobody. There are about 8 bowl games worth a darn. SO your %'s would change.

 

[MepoDawg#]

I said "top" because there are other tournaments, but they are all but meaningless in terms of my point. But please carry on.

Since when are the bottom 1/2 or 1/3 of Bowl games meaningful. If you're going to count all postseason bowl games then you have to count all postseason basketball tournaments. Seems logical.

 

[PharmD Blue]

As you know, about 80 of 120 D1 teams go to football bowl games. Do the math, and you realize that's 67% of teams that go to bowls.

For some context and perspective, consider this: 68 basketball teams are in the NCAA Tourney and 32 more in the NIT, a total of 100 teams. But there are over 350 D1 basketball teams, so only about 28% of D1 basketball teams play in the top two post-season tournaments.

So maybe some players and fans--and maybe even an AD over in Indiana--ought to have a little more respect for the NIT.

Just thought I'd share, FWIW.

LOL. NIT is not a top tourney. But carry on

 

[bagdropper]

It's all in how the individual views the bowls and the NIT.

The NIT is like whatever slot a B10 football team fits into when it's 7th or so on the conference bowl pecking order. But that doesn't mean it can't have meaning to the teams participating.

Winning the NIT a few years back would have been a very nice consolation prize for that team not making the tourney (much like this year...if you're gonna be in it, win the damn thing). The ending made it all seem like a bit of a waste to fans...but to the team I thought it paid dividends the next year.

That team needed those extra games.

Winning ANY bowl game at this point would at the very least be better than losing a bowl game no matter how good or bad the bowl game actually is.

End the season on a high note.

We saw last night, a lot of P5 teams effectively showed they didn't want to play the game. That's their problem.

Iowa has to prevent that from happening tonight by giving a crap. I believe if Iowa wins tonight, they're going to go on a run.

But if they come out with a "meh" view of the game, ND is going to beat them. Iowa comes out with a big ol' chip on their shoulder, they should flatten ND.

 

[ChosenChildren]

If this group of young players wants to leave some sort of legacy at Iowa, it really has to start in a tourney like the NIT. Lots of teams have won the NIT (or at least advanced to Madison Square Garden) and then followed up with a great season the following year. It all starts now for Iowa.

Also, Jok's legacy at Iowa will be defined tonight. If he comes out and lays an egg like he did against Indiana, that will be the final memory of him. I'm hoping we'll see maximum effort out of him. He should be a factor tonight.

I'm predicting a good effort tonight.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I mean you also have to look that Football only plays 12-13 games? College basketball plays 30+ so the margin for error is greater than in football. I would also say that football post season has become watered down to the point where if your 5-7 you get a post season bid.

There was a bowl game (i think it was the Las Vegas Bowl) that drew a better TV rating than Kentucky vs UCLA in early December. How does that happen? Are there more football fans than basketball fans in america?? I don't know how it happens, but that is just strange.

Personally I would like to see a rule instituted where if you finish below .500 in your conference you can't go to the NCAA tournament or a Bowl game. Too damn bad, you didn't take care of your end of the deal and win, so you should not get rewarded with a bowl/post season. I just think we reward mediocrity in this day in age.

If you finish above .500 or right at .500 then you can be rewarded with a post season game. Football the same thing, I think if you are 6-6 overall fine get a bowl game.. If your 5-7 sorry. If there are two bowl games that don't get their spots filled, then take the next best team available (some small conference) has to have a team above .500.

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

It's all in how the individual views the bowls and the NIT.

The NIT is like whatever slot a B10 football team fits into when it's 7th or so on the conference bowl pecking order. But that doesn't mean it can't have meaning to the teams participating.

Winning the NIT a few years back would have been a very nice consolation prize for that team not making the tourney (much like this year...if you're gonna be in it, win the damn thing). The ending made it all seem like a bit of a waste to fans...but to the team I thought it paid dividends the next year.

That team needed those extra games.

Winning ANY bowl game at this point would at the very least be better than losing a bowl game no matter how good or bad the bowl game actually is.

End the season on a high note.

We saw last night, a lot of P5 teams effectively showed they didn't want to play the game. That's their problem.

Iowa has to prevent that from happening tonight by giving a crap. I believe if Iowa wins tonight, they're going to go on a run.

But if they come out with a "meh" view of the game, ND is going to beat them. Iowa comes out with a big ol' chip on their shoulder, they should flatten ND.

SD*

 

[kceasthawk]

I mean you also have to look that Football only plays 12-13 games? College basketball plays 30+ so the margin for error is greater than in football. I would also say that football post season has become watered down to the point where if your 5-7 you get a post season bid.

There was a bowl game (i think it was the Las Vegas Bowl) that drew a better TV rating than Kentucky vs UCLA in early December. How does that happen? Are there more football fans than basketball fans in america?? I don't know how it happens, but that is just strange.

Personally I would like to see a rule instituted where if you finish below .500 in your conference you can't go to the NCAA tournament or a Bowl game. Too damn bad, you didn't take care of your end of the deal and win, so you should not get rewarded with a bowl/post season. I just think we reward mediocrity in this day in age.

If you finish above .500 or right at .500 then you can be rewarded with a post season game. Football the same thing, I think if you are 6-6 overall fine get a bowl game.. If your 5-7 sorry. If there are two bowl games that don't get their spots filled, then take the next best team available (some small conference) has to have a team above .500.

I'd have no problem with that. Don't see any reason to reward teams that finish under .500. Not crazy about basketball either, rewarding teams who lose all year, then get hot and win a conference tourney, and get rewarded. Kinda waters down the whole season, but thats were we are having conference tourney winners decide the auto berth.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I agree there are way too many bowl games. I, personally, don't pay attention to most of them, but obviously enough people are making money off Tennessee Chattanooga State vs Louisiana Monroe Tech-whatever bowl games, so that's why there are teams getting bowl invites with 5-7 records. I think it's pathetic and waters down what used to be a prestigious honor getting a bowl invite. But hey, the other side of the coin is without those wonderful obscure.carcare.hotel.com bowls, Cyclone nation would have never gotten to hear Dan McCarney proudly exclaim, "Once again, Iowa State is one of the bowl champions of America" after their second bowl victory in school history.

Anyhoo...

The NIT is up there with kissing your aunt. There's a reason we grew up calling it the "Not Invited Tournament." It's a consolation prize one notch above a participation trophy. With that said, Iowa might as well make the most of it and try to win the whole thing. Build for next year.

 

[Wingman137]

The reason bowl games and the NIT is meaningful is that it gives your team that much more practice and experience. If you have a senior laden roster it doesn't help a lot. With a young team it certainly does.

 

[ChrisVarick]

LOL. NIT is not a top tourney. But carry on

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I don't see the NIT or "minor" bowl games as a reward ... they are an opportunity. If the team doesn't want to be there, then it's a better opportunity for the opponent.

On the other hand, I can see players "hitting the wall", whether it's physical or mental. I can imagine it's tough for these athletes to give 100%+ all the time.

We'll see tonight whether the Hawks view this as an opportunity or an obligation. Hopefully the crowd will help with motivation.