We are currently projected a # 5 seed on the NIT Bracketology website. My question is (barring a huge turnaround that gets us in the NCAA’s) , will Mike Cragg decline an NIT Bid like they arrogantly did last year? Or will they honor SJU’s NIT tradition and compete for another NIT Championship?
NIT
- Thread starter 19854ever
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Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
Nobodys Interested Tournament. Yes!!!!!!!!!!!
NIT invite is the equivalent of a participation trophy...
Meaningless...
Meaningless...
Right now we're barely in the NIT field. Nobody wanted this a couple months ago but that's where we're at in late February. That's what this team is, barring a huge run.
I'm still disappointed that the team quit on the NIT last year (probably the fault of those who transfered, but still). Maybe had we won a few games in the NIT it would've given our current players the confidence to win close games this year.
Last year was a massive outlier with teams declining, no teams prior to 2021 declined the NIT in a long time (I looked it up last year but forget exactly how long the previous decline was). St. John's will have absolutely no excuse not to accept an invite this time.
Like everyone else I still obviously want us to win the BET and make the Dance, but realistically our far more likely ceiling this year is an NIT run. Not saying that'd be a successful season (it wouldn't), but that's where we're at right now.
Still need a few more wins to make the NIT. Nobody should take it for granted (as a consolation prize) because it's very possible we don't even make it. Make the NIT, win a few games, and keep as many pieces together as possible for next year. Our team isn't bad but they are bad in close games (results in a bad resume), so any additional experience would be a good thing long-term.
I'm still disappointed that the team quit on the NIT last year (probably the fault of those who transfered, but still). Maybe had we won a few games in the NIT it would've given our current players the confidence to win close games this year.
Last year was a massive outlier with teams declining, no teams prior to 2021 declined the NIT in a long time (I looked it up last year but forget exactly how long the previous decline was). St. John's will have absolutely no excuse not to accept an invite this time.
Like everyone else I still obviously want us to win the BET and make the Dance, but realistically our far more likely ceiling this year is an NIT run. Not saying that'd be a successful season (it wouldn't), but that's where we're at right now.
Still need a few more wins to make the NIT. Nobody should take it for granted (as a consolation prize) because it's very possible we don't even make it. Make the NIT, win a few games, and keep as many pieces together as possible for next year. Our team isn't bad but they are bad in close games (results in a bad resume), so any additional experience would be a good thing long-term.
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A nice run in the NIT would do two things imho - end the season on an up note and give these guys more time to play together. Key to success for this program though is to bring back guys like Posh, Wusu, Wheeler, Soriano, Pinzon & Stanley and bring in at least one difference maker off the transfer market. This off season is going to tell us a lot.
Robert Morris was rough and that was a worst case scenario, but even then didn't our entire team (or nearly the entire team) return and make the Dance the following year?
It may help some teams to get nationally embarrassed with an early upset like that. Seems to have helped Virginia when they lost to #16 in 2018 and then won it all in 2019. Nova also had some early upset exits before they won a couple championships.
Our team is so irrelevant right now nationally. I just want them to play more, win or lose. They need all the experience they can get.
It may help some teams to get nationally embarrassed with an early upset like that. Seems to have helped Virginia when they lost to #16 in 2018 and then won it all in 2019. Nova also had some early upset exits before they won a couple championships.
Our team is so irrelevant right now nationally. I just want them to play more, win or lose. They need all the experience they can get.
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I agree the team needs chemistry it took till deep in the Big East season for this team to have some type of team chemistry. Look at the Kansas Game and look at now , we are playing tough in every game lately win or lose. We need to get back as many pieces for next year as we can and not reinvent the wheel every year with transfers.
If invited (which is not a certainty) AD Cragg should ask the team members what they want to do and follow accordingly.
Personally I hope the Johnnies play in the NIT because, as pointed out in a prior post, the added games would benefit the younger players.
Personally I hope the Johnnies play in the NIT because, as pointed out in a prior post, the added games would benefit the younger players.
Norm’s final season with a junior laden team ended with a hard fought NIT first round loss at Memphis. Nice springboard for Lavin year one.
Of course we are in different times now, where players are basically on a one-year contract regardless of student classification.
Of course we are in different times now, where players are basically on a one-year contract regardless of student classification.
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This team should accept ANY post season tournament invite they get. Hell- CBI or Bust... (not sure if that exists anymore lol) - but with the potential to return:
Posh / Pinzon
Wusu / Mathis
Wheeler / Stanley / (Julian- hes prob better off starting to make some $$$ somewhere - but crazier things have happend)
Soriano/ Nywie
That's 10+ guys that could potentially return for next season. Get tournament experience wherever they can. Will be EXTREMELY disappointed is they turn down any invite.
Posh / Pinzon
Wusu / Mathis
Wheeler / Stanley / (Julian- hes prob better off starting to make some $$$ somewhere - but crazier things have happend)
Soriano/ Nywie
That's 10+ guys that could potentially return for next season. Get tournament experience wherever they can. Will be EXTREMELY disappointed is they turn down any invite.
Here's my take on the NIT. We are not anywhere close to a lock. Much more work to do to get in. 2-1 and a win or two in the BET, I think.
If invited I would go. I recall many times (admittedly a while back), teams that won it or did very well in the NIT, were back in the Big Dance the following year, e.g., I might be mis remembering, but Syracuse, Virginia, Michigan and some others.
Last year we didn't go but I think that was Covid related, and we had a few guys with a foot out of the door as soon as the season ended.
If invited I would go. I recall many times (admittedly a while back), teams that won it or did very well in the NIT, were back in the Big Dance the following year, e.g., I might be mis remembering, but Syracuse, Virginia, Michigan and some others.
Last year we didn't go but I think that was Covid related, and we had a few guys with a foot out of the door as soon as the season ended.
L J S A
Well-known member
I remember one of the younger posters saying we wouldn't be able to play, with the implication being there wouldn't be enough players to field a team. I can think of two guys who hated CMA, but shocked the others wouldn't have played a few more games.BrookJersey Redmen post=459957 said:
otis post=459946 said:
