MBB Final: Louisiana 85, Arkansas State 74

[CajunEXPRESS]

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

The NIT for a one team conference is a reward for a good season that fell short of the goal.

[ULvictory]

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

Agreed. That shouldn't be the "overall" standard. And the coaches have said it as such when they said that the NCAA Tournament is the ultimate goal.

Let's be honest here. Last night, more fans were willing to sit in the rain at The Tigue on a Wednesday Night over an air conditioned Cajundome to watch our 22-7 team compete for a conference championship. But it's not because of the 3 days in March. It's everything that goes beyond that. It's the past 4 years of averaging 6th place in conference. It's the constant "fumbles" of the coach's speak we have had to endure which comes off as supporting complacency. It's the constant number of excuses and justifications, like throwing our nationally ranked football team under the bus, of why we have lost to teams beneath us. It's the fact that we have given every reason in the book of why we can't achieve like claiming that our AD gave all of the operating money to football when our basketball program had the second largest budget in the conference behind Georgia State going into last season.

When these statements are said publicly, what fan would want to support that? Basically, you turn people away with that mindset. That's why it took the Cajun Chicken to make an appearance to get people back to games. Barring a tournament appearance, it's over with the fanbase. I don't even know if an NIT appearance would salvage it. Personally, I'd be ok with an NIT appearance. But I'm just one fan.

[CajunT]

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?

He wins the regular season championship or the SBC Tournament, he has earned his extension.

[Bandwagon King]

The NIT for a one team conference is a reward for a good season that fell short of the goal.

The NIT is also a reward for a team from a P-5 conference who had a remarkably crappy season & fell short of all of its goals followed up by one & done conference tournament so they can finally beat up on some poor mid major & finally feel good about themselves like they were doing two months prior.

[ManAboutTown]

He wins the regular season championship or the SBC Tournament, he has earned his extension.

I agree with this. At this moment in time, all things considered, nothing else matters. That doesn't always mean this was the case.

[SlickRick]

The NIT for a one team conference is a reward for a good season that fell short of the goal.

Yeah, reward for winning 27 games and then having to play a .500+ team at their place. Big reward!

[ManAboutTown]

Yeah, reward for winning 27 games and then having to play a .500+ team at their place. Big reward!

If you're better and deserve better... beat that .500 team at their place.
Sports are a finite business. When you get the opportunity, win.

[ragincajun97]

If you're better and deserve better... beat that .500 team at their place.
Sports are a finite business. When you get the opportunity, win.

We should’ve when we were 28-5 or something like that and had to go play Will Wade _____ ass in the PMAC. Everything was done in that game to ensure a tiger victory

[ManAboutTown]

We should’ve when we were 28-5 or something like that and had to go play Will Wade _____ ass in the PMAC. Everything was done in that game to ensure a tiger victory

But there is always an excuse..

5 guys on each side. Two goals. One ball.

Win the game.

[SlickRick]

Yeah, reward for winning 27 games and then having to play a .500+ team at their place. Big reward!

Whatever....the only saving grace from my perspective to be in the NIT is to get a HOME playoff atmosphere game, possibly 2...which would be a boost to our program.