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Reputation:89
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 3, 2006
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The NIT takes Utah State? The selection committee must have been checking out their cheerleaders and spirit squad (very hot!) instead of their basketball accomplishments. Sure, they had a good record, but playing the likes of Utah Valley St, Montana Western, Santa Clara shouldn't count... c'mon! They had 4 losses against Utah, Vandy, NMSU, Irvine by more than 30 pts!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 26, 2006
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Utah Valley St. is usually a pretty good basketball, a team which should be considering for a bid to join the WAC. The reason they got the bid to the NIT was because they were the #1 seed in the WAC tourny. Don't feel too bad. Nevada got looked over for the NIT as well. But we got an invitation to the CBI.
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Reputation:76
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 13, 2008
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SkiLz2BrN is correct, Utah State got the automatic bid for having the number 1 seed in the WAC tournament. Notice that it is a low #7 bid which means the NIT committe did not think highly of our conference, so the chances of two WAC teams making it were pretty slim.
Help me understand what the CBI is? I did a google seach but didn't come up with any brackets for it.
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Reputation:76
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 13, 2008
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Also, don't forget that the 30+ point loss to us was mainly due to the suspension of 4 of their players the night before our game.
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Reputation:24
Level:Amateur
Since:Mar 17, 2008
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The WAC might have looked weak but give me a break. NMSU also played one hell of a non-conference schedule shouldnt that be taken in to consideration? NMSU played Texas, Duke, West Virgina, Louisville. Thats tough and the best player on the team wasn't even able to play til mid jan! Herb Pope was a blue chip recruit and showed it during the WAC tournament they should have got at least an invitation to the NIT I mean they did beat two of the bids by over 20 points in Utah St. And New Mexico
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Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 12, 2007
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Every team can probably point to teams that they beat that make post season. USU beat Oral Roberts and Austin Peay also in the NCAA. The problem with NMSU was the overall record isn't very good, the WAC isn't a top conference and their big wins came at home. I agree that NMSU should be in the NIT, but it is obvious that the WAC got absolutely no respect. With USU getting the #7, it was slim anyone else would get a bid. I was expecting USU and Nevada with NMSU having a good chance, but I think the problem was the conference standing. We have to get better next year if we want to see a better result (we=WAC).
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Reputation:88
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 4, 2006
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Ditto. We can't say we played Texas, Duke, Lousville and the others. We have to say we had a quaity win over at least one of them. There's a good chance for that next year, since I expect less early turmoil in the team makeup. Our senior class takes a lot of our firepower with them, but we had the deepest bench in the WAC when it came to production. It was a good run, and an awfully good job on Coach Menzies' part.
Go Agggies!
Go WAC!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 21, 2006
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The NIT depends heavily on teams that have fans who will either travel or attend any games at home. Unfortunately, NMSU can't be counted on for either of these things. Plus, while the WAC Final did garner a lot of attention, the team wouldn't be much of a draw.
This year had more bubble teams than usual. Add in the NIT tradition of taking any regular season conference winners that don't get invitations and there weren't as many slots for a second tier program which, like it or not, we are.
The Aggies have got to do 2 things to be taken more seriously. First, the SOS has to improve. This has been a consistent problem for the program and has cost the team consistently. Joining the WAC hasn't done much to help as the disparity between the good and bad teams is enormous.
Second, they have got to do better against the teams they do play. There were some good wins, but also several losses that really hurt the team.
Not making the NIT is disappointing, and I do think there are less deserving teams in the field. But it's not as if there are many fans who actually consider the NIT the least bit important.
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Reputation:8
Level:Amateur
Since:Mar 17, 2008
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NMSU got a bid to the CBI and turned it down. They have to pay $50,000 to host a home game and garauntee 6000 fans.
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