Crimson Red Sports

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/hot_corner_alabamas_nit_run_no.html (http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/hot_corner_alabamas_nit_run_no.html)

I'm really starting to believe that the entire B'ham news sports department has it in for Bama.

Well, you gotta admit, we're not in the Big East....oh wait, most of them exited early. OK, but we're not Duke....oh wait, they got annihilated by an average Arizona team. Hmm, let's see, ok we are not coached by the great Rick Petino... oh wait, Louisville lost their 1st round game to the juggernaut Morehead State. Well then, there's the fact that we are in the weak SEC...oh wait, 2 of the final 12 teams in the tourney are in the SEC................. :what:

 #+

I think we were definitely a tournament worthy team, but do I think we would have made it to the Sweet 16 or beyond...no, not this year.  We simply have not played well enough away from Coleman or found a consistent perimeter shooter to rely on game in and game out.

We play great D and never give up, but IMO the NIT turned out to be the best thing for this team in terms of positive exposure and team tourney experience.  Plus, I haven't seen the Bama fanbase this fired up about Bball in a long time.  A potential first of second round exit from the NCAAs would have severely hurt that momentum which no doubt will carry over into next year where we'll come in as a top 25 team.

Congrats to Bama and CAG for the record setting season at home.  No regrets here about the tourney and I look forward to next year.

In the meantime, the Buffs will serve as a much better gauge as to how our NCAA experience may have gone as it will be a neutral court game against another NCAA tourney worthy team.

I see what the guy is driving at.  Sorta.  I think most everyone believed that we were one of the 68 best teams at the end of the season (and doing well in the NIT further proves that), but apparently that's not what the tournament selection is based on.

Ummm doesn't matter huh. They are going to down Alabama but we will rise above it. RTR!

Yeah, but the NCAA made some good choices like UAB, oops wait a sec, I mean Penn State, check that, how 'bout Memphis, no let me think, Clemson from the ACC, forgot they lost in the first round, just let me think this through, got it, St. Johns, crap they lsot to an 11th seed in the first game. Give me a couple of mongths and I'll have this figured out.

 ???

Bama has gotten more postive publicity for not making the NCAA Tourney than they would have gotten had they been chosen for the "Big Dance". The naysayers can beat Bama down all they want, but the big boys of the national media likes this Bama team and their coach, and that is what counts the most when basketball starts again next fall.

Ed Zachary! (http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/CBSS/thumb_smileyvault-cute-big-smiley-static-010.gif)

And of course this is hogwash. RTR!

I agree with all of you on this one. I know the NIT isn't as prestigious as making the Final Four (sweet sixteen) or just the NCAA Tourney BUT if we had played 1 and out of the Tourney - we wouldn't have the excitement, fan build up and WINS that we have now.
Next year, I DO see us in the NCAA Tourney. I think we will be ready, willing and definitely ABLE to take it next year.

I agree with this, Terrie. I just think that it stinks, and is flat out wrong that we weren't given the opportunity to find out.

I want to say this win or loose we have been to NY and that puts us on ESPN and they have to cover us whether they say anything nice or not. We are "Alabama" don't mistaken it. RTR!

Look at it this way. There are eight teams in this nation out of, what, 300 or so that are still playing basketball right now, and the Tide is one of them.

It is is so good to be part of something so special like Alabama Sports and the young men and women who step out of there a better person. RTR!

+1 Well said.