So, which is it?

[ULvictory]

No, my solution is definitely not to turn down the bowl...but the whole conversation is beating up basketball and turned to what is costing us money and what are we getting the most return for our buck on...if money well spent is the hot topic here, lets be honest with our selves: outside the diamonds, we aren't getting anything back (currently)...lets critique all sports, not just single out the Big Fish

But cost has to match the quality of what we are paying for. If we voluntarily pay for a product that has not complimented us with the results that we are paying for, then there's a problem. That's why there's people who didn't like Marlin's contract extension.

On the other hand, we have gotten an ROI in football with a product that overachieved last year. That's all I'm saying.

[Cajunsmike]

We're "paid" minimum wage to attend...you can't support a million dollar lifestyle on minimum wage payments...you can scream all you want that we got paid, but we lost a schit load of money to go play with Mickey Mouse and some Lamers in Orlando....I'm willing to bet we lost more on that trip than we did when we paid $15,000 to host a "C" tournament...hell it probably didn't cost us anything after ticket sales...

Anonymous RCAF donors picked up the tab on the cost to participate in the Cure Bowl. Without that, we would have had a substantial financial loss. Don't know if you could get that to occur for a minor basketball tournament.

[CajunT]

Anonymous RCAF donors picked up the tab on the cost to participate in the Cure Bowl. Without that, we would have had a substantial financial loss. Don't know if you could get that to occur for a minor basketball tournament.

I don't know all the facts Mike, but did they not pick up the cost on the ticket allotment? I know that no RCAF dollars were needed for any of the bowl games in NO.

[Cajunsmike]

I don't know all the facts Mike, but did they not pick up the cost on the ticket allotment? I know that no RCAF dollars were needed for any of the bowl games in NO.

Don't know details. Just heard that costs was subsidized by donors. Heard that on radio one day. Don't recall if it was KPEL or 103.7 FM. When I said RCAF, I presumed donors were members. Perhaps I misspoke there.

[zephyr]

As you say, little interest in the sport these days unless you are winning at a high level.

I keep hearing you guys say this but how are you coming to that conclusion? Attendance? Because attendance is down in football across the country as well including ole mighty Alabama. Does that mean there is less interest in football in a football rich part of the country? I don't think so. I think you have streamed games as the main reason for that. We are a little void of top talent in the state right now but that comes and goes. I just don't necessarily believe there is a disinterest in basketball in general. We just fail to put a program out there that people typically want to see.

[zephyr]

I go back to those teams from 02 and 03 which I remember well because I was a student at the time. I think teams that good are worthy of the postseason and they wouldn’t be in the NIT today.

Why would they not be in the NIT?

[cajun_lannister]

I keep hearing you guys say this but how are you coming to that conclusion? Attendance? Because attendance is down in football across the country as well including ole mighty Alabama. Does that mean there is less interest in football in a football rich part of the country? I don't think so. I think you have streamed games as the main reason for that. We are a little void of top talent in the state right now but that comes and goes. I just don't necessarily believe there is a disinterest in basketball in general. We just fail to put a program out there that people typically want to see.

Yep if our Women's soccer program was top 25 and undefeated, I would bet the stands would be way fuller than they currently are.

[Turbine]

Why would they not be in the NIT?

NCAA took over and their overseasoned invite list has changed dramatically from when the NIT was independent.

[zephyr]

NCAA took over and their overseasoned invite list has changed dramatically from when the NIT was independent.

This is not explaining anything.

[cajun_lannister]

NCAA took over and their overseasoned invite list has changed dramatically from when the NIT was independent.

Going back 20 years only 1 time did the sunbelt send an At-large to the NIT... So I don't see your point.

[Turbine]

Going back 20 years only 1 time did the sunbelt send an At-large to the NIT... So I don't see your point.

Since the NCAA took over the NIT they have invited exactly 1 "at large" team from the Sun Belt. Western Kentucky the very first year the NCAA took over. None since.

[Hatch]

Why would they not be in the NIT?

Because they wouldn’t be an “automatic qualifier” by being regular season champions. I think Turbine’s example explains the at large chances.