ASU.. YES, UofA... NOPE

[TJ]

so if you were Florida in a couple years and they have go 6-7, and get invited to the poinsetta bowl, do they turn it down because they are "embarrassed" to play in a bowl game like that?

I have to admit, it is surprising how many of the UofA fans are taking this... and AGAIN, please understand any ASU fan who has even a tidbit of knowledge is not hanging our hat on this NIT invitation, and if we lose in the first 2 rounds it really is COMPLETELY moot.... but the fact is to be in the NIT is a STEP in the right direction, and to say it would be more embarrassing than anything to a team like UofA, I just don't get that logic...

I wouldnt call getting in the NIT a "step in the right direction" being that you were a fairly high seeded team in the NCAAs last year. I'd call that "regression" and hope the newcomers step it up.

As for us; what do we have to accomplish in the NIT? Nothing. None of the players really wanted to play in it anyway. I am Facebook friends with four of them and none of them expressed interest or hope that they get a bid. Two of them even said they would rather decline it and start focusing on next season.

Why is this? The standards for playing at UofA are high and that is conveyed to the players even before they give their intent. That is why we are able to get such great recruits and are recognized as one of the top B-ball schools in the nation. For 25 years, we were accustomed to putting our school in a bracket. Although we knew early on, it is still disappointing to not see us in the NCAAs. This is a situation where you have to be in it to understand and I really think you don't.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

As for ASU/UofA, the stat that should really burn Cats fans is that they've finished behind ASU in the conference standings for THREE straight seasons. UofA fans would've laughed their asses off if we had predicted a run like that for Sendek when he was hired. Hell, no ASU fan could've even fathomed a turn in fortune like that for the two programs at the time. No matter how "mediocre" ASU might be under Sendek.

Here's the difference - when Arizona finishes ahead of Dennis Erickson's rapidly imploding ASU football team in the standings this fall for the THIRD straight year I'm guessing you won't see many level-headed UA fans (Gee doesn't apply) claiming they are all of a sudden a superior program with a better long-term outlook. One because UA still hasn't accomplished anything as a program (nor will under Mike Stoops) and next because once ASU rights the ship they'll be a better program as the Devils are more apt for winning when taking every indicator of program health into consideration. And let's be honest here - Arizona Basketball is a much stronger program both historically and in the present than ASU Football and it's not even close.

Again, being better than an essentially brain-dead Lute Olson, Russ Pennell, and Kevin O'Neill is nothing to brag about. Nor is going to the NIT. Once Miller gets his guys they'll be consistently better than ASU by a mile.

 

[ajcardfan]

Here's the difference - when Arizona finishes ahead of Dennis Erickson's rapidly imploding ASU football team in the standings this fall for the THIRD straight year I'm guessing you won't see many level-headed UA fans (Gee doesn't apply) claiming they are all of a sudden a superior program with a better long-term outlook. One because UA still hasn't accomplished anything as a program (nor will under Mike Stoops) and next because once ASU rights the ship they'll be a better program as the Devils are more apt for winning when taking every indicator of program health into consideration. And let's be honest here - Arizona Basketball is a much stronger program both historically and in the present than ASU Football and it's not even close.

Again, being better than an essentially brain-dead Lute Olson, Russ Pennell, and Kevin O'Neill is nothing to brag about. Nor is going to the NIT. Once Miller gets his guys they'll be consistently better than ASU by a mile.

Whatever Mao.

Fact is, the two programs, it doesn't matter who you want to blame it on, have been on equal footing the last three years. (In terms of results, not reputation. ) As for Miller, we'll see. Lots of touted coaches have fallen on their faces trying to take over big time programs. (See Kentucky, Indiana, UNC, etc) All I see right now is one bad season from Miller and big talk from you about the future.

Also, I personally don't know any ASU fans who say we've surpassed UofA in basketball as a program. The gap between the basketball programs was HUGE, far bigger than it ever was between the football programs. The fact that the gap closed, even if it's just for three years, is a testament to how hard the Cats have fallen as much as how much better ASU has gotten.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

However, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

You catch even more with manure, what's your point?

At least neither of our teams is in either of these tournaments:

College Basketball Invitational (CBI)

CollegeInsider.com Basketball Tournament (CIT)

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I love how things have changed. It used to be UofA fans would come on here and rip us in basketball and we'd toss football in their face. Now they come here tossing football in our face as a defensive counter to our basketball discussions.

 

[ozzfloyd]

And ASU is playing in front of what looks like a crowd of less than 3000 tonight. Nice fan support.

 

[ajcardfan]

And ASU is playing in front of what looks like a crowd of less than 3000 tonight. Nice fan support.

Spring Break at ASU.. if you are a student, where are you going to be? Lake Havasu or Wells Fargo Arena?

 

[ozzfloyd]

Spring Break at ASU.. if you are a student, where are you going to be? Lake Havasu or Wells Fargo Arena?

The student haven't been out in force at all this season...are all the old folks on spring break as well?

 

[ajcardfan]

The student haven't been out in force at all this season...are all the old folks on spring break as well?

ASU basketball has always had poor attendance. No one thought that would change tonight. What is your point exactly?

 

[Mr. Boldin]

so if you were Florida in a couple years and they have go 6-7, and get invited to the poinsetta bowl, do they turn it down because they are "embarrassed" to play in a bowl game like that?

That isnt even close to a similarity.

There are 34 bowl games, meaning 68 teams. The NCAA tournament consists of 65 teams, the NIT consists of 32 teams, then you have the CBI and the CIT. So Arizona would be in the tier of teams playing in a virtually nonexistant postseason tournament and passed over by 97 other teams.

You dont think UCONN or Carolina would turn down invitations to play in tbe CBI or CIT?

The fact of the matter remains, it would be much more embarrassing to lose to a William and Mary in the first round of the NIT, than not be invited.

Carolina nearly did that tonight and that would have been a top story on ESPN. No thanks, Ill concede the end of the season and begin moving forward.

 

[ozzfloyd]

ASU basketball has always had poor attendance. No one thought that would change tonight. What is your point exactly?

Just observing that ASU bball has horrible fan support. Now it has a pretty good coach, finally...but can it keep him if fan apathy remains as it is?

 

[Nasser22]

LOL, baseball season.

 

[AsUdUdE]

the point is moot...... ASU doesn't show up.... theres always next year...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Funny considering you and your ilk's constant preening over the last few years when ASU Basketball and Herb have accomplished nothing.

Speaking of funny, you're constant ragging on Herb is bordering on ridiculous at this point. You take every chance to rip on the guy, but he's been nothing but an unmitigated success at ASU. Continue ripping on him for his recruiting and "boring" offense, amazing such a mediocre coach won Pac-10 coach of the year, and has put together a better team the last 3 years than the "mighty" Cats. To say he's accomplished nothing is as myopic as saying U of A is an elite program.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Speaking of funny, you're constant ragging on Herb is bordering on ridiculous at this point. You take every chance to rip on the guy, but he's been nothing but an unmitigated success at ASU. Continue ripping on him for his recruiting and "boring" offense, amazing such a mediocre coach won Pac-10 coach of the year, and has put together a better team the last 3 years than the "mighty" Cats. To say he's accomplished nothing is as myopic as saying U of A is an elite program.

He's only a success to fans with low standards, such as ASU Basketball fans fresh off two decades of point shaving, Rob Evans, and a 6-43 record against Lute. Much like Mike Stoops is considered a success at UofA despite accomplishing mostly nothing in Tucson after John Mackovic.

Sean Miller would in all likelihood be fired if his first four years looked like Herb Sendek's at ASU. That's not saying Herb's a bad coach, I just don't think he's great. He's the Dick Tomey of basketball.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Fact is, the two programs, it doesn't matter who you want to blame it on, have been on equal footing the last three years. (In terms of results, not reputation. ) As for Miller, we'll see. Lots of touted coaches have fallen on their faces trying to take over big time programs. (See Kentucky, Indiana, UNC, etc) All I see right now is one bad season from Miller and big talk from you about the future.

If Sean Miller was an alcoholic skirt-chaser like Gillispie, a proven cheating scumbag like Sampson, or an angry curmudgeon with a knack for pissing everybody off like Matt Doherty (Doherty wasn't touted at all prior to the UNC hire, his resume consisted of being MJ's college roommate) you'd have a point.

Recruiting = wins. Miller's one of the best recruiters in the country. it will take care of itself.

Also, I personally don't know any ASU fans who say we've surpassed UofA in basketball as a program. The gap between the basketball programs was HUGE, far bigger than it ever was between the football programs. The fact that the gap closed, even if it's just for three years, is a testament to how hard the Cats have fallen as much as how much better ASU has gotten.

This is admittedly true.

 

[Nash2Amare]

Quite the NIT run from DA big bad Sun Devils

 

[HooverDam]

Quite the NIT run from DA big bad Sun Devils

I never understood this moronic sort of thinking. Even when ASU fans made fun of UA for getting killed in the Holiday Bowl, I didnt get that either. I wouldve much rather had their season in football and any UA fan w/ a brain wouldve rather had ASUs hoops season this year.

Its hard to make fun of the guy in the outhouse when you're in the septic tank.

 

[TJ]

I guess ASU was just as disinterested in the NIT as we were

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I never understood this moronic sort of thinking. Even when ASU fans made fun of UA for getting killed in the Holiday Bowl, I didnt get that either. I wouldve much rather had their season in football and any UA fan w/ a brain wouldve rather had ASUs hoops season this year.

Its hard to make fun of the guy in the outhouse when you're in the septic tank.

Agree here, although I wonder if AsUdUde is going to make the same commentary about ASU Hoops as he did about UA Football when he claimed the Holiday Bowl embarrassment was going to negatively affect the future of the program.

 

[ajcardfan]

I guess ASU was just as disinterested in the NIT as we were

The effort was actually good. The kid from Jacksonville got hot and ASU missed just enough free throws in the last two minutes for it to bite them in the ass. That, and two backcourt turnovers by Kuksiks was how they lost it. Not to mention a 28 ft bankshot with less than 2 seconds.

 

[Tyler]

Im going to take some uofa fans advice. Who cares, Id rather lose in the first round of the NIT as opposed to being invited to what tournament? It doesnt matter, the NIT is a waste of time, we are above that, why bother. Honestly, I heard an interview with Herb today on Doug and Wolf and he sounded disinterested, he said it was up to the players if they wanted to play or not. I really think they didnt, oh well. Its better to not go to a tournament than it is to go to the NIT.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Every team who has upperclassmen playing a majority of the time is going to be disinterested playing in the NIT. Especially when they had their hearts set on making a NCAA tournament run to end their careers.

I wouldnt have bet any amount of money on UA from last year beating Jackson St. in the first round of the NIT.

This just goes to show you how big of a difference it is between playing in the NCAAs and the NIT. Now you guys understand.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

This just goes to show you how big of a difference it is between playing in the NCAAs and the NIT. Now you guys understand.

Uh, we've played in both before. Nothing new. Thanks though.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Uh, we've played in both before. Nothing new. Thanks though.

I meant now you guys understand why we say just move on to next season. The NIT means nothing to teams like UCONN, UNC, UA when they are used to making runs in the NCAAs.

The NIT meant absolutely nothing to ASU this year, its not a big deal.

UCONN and UNC just snuck by to get to the second round and ASU lost. This tournament means nothing to those 3 teams.