MBB Final: Louisiana 85, Arkansas State 74

[ManAboutTown]

Y'all over here fighting over semantics. Here's the reality.

There's only one way to get into the NCAA tournament, and its to win the conference tournament.

But the best way to set yourself up to win the conference tournament is to play well for the entire season, getting experience and a good seed.

So its not ONLY about 3 days in March. It CULMINATES WITH 3 days in March.

The same concept applies to basketball of all levels that end in a tournament. Even the NBA.

Not rocket science.

We all know that. People like Jay, who back Marlin at all cost, see their extension slipping away and they can't help but fight their way out of a corner. They do that by dragging out and manipulating past narratives that don't even make sense.

[ManAboutTown]

It's a shame you two are fighting. Hope you guys can get on the same page and resolve things amicably; it's good for the fanbase.

Y'all need to hash it out over some Angels Envy or Adopted Dog Brews.

Brother, it goes way deeper than this stupid thread.

[Bandwagon King]

Of course it matters if we make the NIT. What a dumb comment.

Some of our best memories are NIT memories.

The NIT is a reward (either at large or automatic) for having a very good regular season.

If your attitude is NCAA or bust, then it really IS about four days in March and nothing else matters.

Which ____es most of you off, if memory serves.

Some of the worst memories I have are of us losing in the NIT tournament.

[Turbine]

About as dumb as you thinking the NIT matters!

The NIT matters... but the program overall doesnt matter (as much) if the NIT starts out as the goal.

[ULvictory]

So it's all about three days in March....except when it suits you to say otherwise. My apologies.

To be fair, the 3 days in March are important. I would also like to finish higher than than 8th place in the conference to pull it off.

[Turbine]

Some of the worst memories I have are of us losing in the NIT tournament.

Shows it matters

[cajun4life]

At the beginning of the season Marlin had to do one of two things to ensure his job was safe.

1. Win the SBC regular season. Which ensures a NIT birth.

2. Win the SBC Tournament, which guarantees a March Madness birth.

Well, he failed at number 1. So all he has left is to win the SBC Tournament. If he doesn’t do that, regardless of this season his tenure should be over.

[Bandwagon King]

Shows it matters

It only matters when you have a good/great season capped by a bad/disappointing tournament showing followed up by laying a turd in the NIT. Then it pretty much turns a good season into a poo poo sandwich. Been there, done that. Don't need to do it again.

[SlickRick]

At the beginning of the season Marlin had to do one of two things to ensure his job was safe.

1. Win the SBC regular season. Which ensures a NIT birth.

2. Win the SBC Tournament, which guarantees a March Madness birth.

Well, he failed at number 1. So all he has left is to win the SBC Tournament. If he doesn’t do that, regardless of this season his tenure should be over.

We can still win the regular season, though it will take USM and Marshall both losing their games tomorrow and us beating a red hot USA team.

But, what if we finished the regular season at or even below .500 winning percentage and then won the tournament to get to the big dance. Would that be considered a success? Even if it meant being a 13 or greater seed and getting stoned in the first round?

[Bandwagon King]

At the beginning of the season Marlin had to do one of two things to ensure his job was safe.

1. Win the SBC regular season. Which ensures a NIT birth.

2. Win the SBC Tournament, which guarantees a March Madness birth.

Well, he failed at number 1. So all he has left is to win the SBC Tournament. If he doesn’t do that, regardless of this season his tenure should be over.

His job is safe simply based on what Jay posted earlier. The decision rests in the hands of the administration. And the administration being the gutless cowards they are will keep him around because he is the easy safe choice to make. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know. This has been the UL model of success for generations. No need to change now.