Should we play in the CBI or CIT?

[Bravesfan]

What? How did playing in the tournaments the last two years, or even just last year help develop DSE and JE this year, when they were not even on the team? Please justify this statement because as it stands on its own it makes absolutely zero sense.

Yeah, you're right. My bad. I meant what I said, I just had the wrong players. But I did mean that the tournament did help develop individual players, but the team as a whole did not improve. But perhaps extra experience might help this team gel next year. If not, then there are other bigger issues that would need to be addressed.

[DUBrave5]

I talked to a wide variety of fans in St Louis and the overwhelming majority said they would NOT be in favor of another eieio tourney appearance and that if BU chooses to play they would NOT be going.

The typical answers as to why was, "we supported it year one and very reluctantly year 2 under the premise it was to improve the team for the following season."

Since THAT premise appeared to be shot they said, lets NOT get involved and focus our resources and time elsewhere.

I fear that with the obvious decline in attendance we saw this year and with some of the apathy that started to creep in we could see home crowds of 2k to 2.5 k...OUCH.

Dogs, it was nice to meet you in St. Louis. Too bad we couldn't do better.

I am one of those that would not be in favor of playing in the CBI or CIT. In my opinion, either the coaching staff or the administration needs to take a stand and say no to these 3rd tier tournaments and show that they will not settle. It seems like okay we don't make the NCAA, and then we don't make the NIT, but at least we know we have the CIT or CBI to fall back on. I think that they should be putting the team to higher standards than that and not accept the chance to play in those eieio tourneys.

I will say though that if they do end up playing, I'll probably be there watching because it is what I do and frankly, student tickets are only a dollar

[dogsrus]

Dogs, it was nice to meet you in St. Louis. Too bad we couldn't do better.

I am one of those that would not be in favor of playing in the CBI or CIT. In my opinion, either the coaching staff or the administration needs to take a stand and say no to these 3rd tier tournaments and show that they will not settle. It seems like okay we don't make the NCAA, and then we don't make the NIT, but at least we know we have the CIT or CBI to fall back on. I think that they should be putting the team to higher standards than that and not accept the chance to play in those eieio tourneys.

I will say though that if they do end up playing, I'll probably be there watching because it is what I do and frankly, student tickets are only a dollar

The pleasure was all mine DB5.....always enjoy meeting great BU fans. Agree on the eieio tourney. Its what I hear from almost everyone I spoke with.

Quite a few (and these are LOYAL BU fans) also stated they won't go this year. Thye wan't to support the team but they feel they are rewarding mediocrity if they go.

[MDCowboy]

I understand all of the points about rewarding mediocrity, but what about player development? I for one think Sam Maniscalco got a great deal out of the last 2 tournaments, especially 2 years ago in the CBI in games at Virginia and the series vs. Tulsa. Contributing like that as a freshman and getting that type of opportunity is really a good thing and helped him further his position as a big game player as seen numerous times this year like in the MVC quarterfinals. I'm not saying Sam M wouldn't be good had we not had the chance to play in those tournaments. BUT - I think he has played and seen a lot in his first 2 years and these tournaments were helpful to him.

I fully respect people do not want to attend these games. And that is fine. Definitely a personal choice.

The chance to practice as a team for the next week prior to a game has to be worth something as well I would think.

Let's face it, even if we win one of these tournaments, I don't think anyone will be jumping for joy. But it is an opportunity to keep playing. If people do not want to watch, then that is their choice. I do not see why "making" BU turn this down will be at all helpful.

[BradleyBrave]

I am hearing that there won't be any postseason for the Braves this year, but I haven't confirmed that yet.

[houstontxbrave]

I am hearing that there won't be any postseason for the Braves this year, but I haven't confirmed that yet.

I hope you are hearing correctly. It is time to end this season.

[Braves4Life]

I hope you are hearing correctly. It is time to end this season.

Agreed. It's time to euthanize this wounded animal.

[squirrelgotdead]

I am hearing that there won't be any postseason for the Braves this year, but I haven't confirmed that yet.

As it should be. . .let's solve the staffing issues and get recruiting. Time's a-wasting. Why no announcement? The state tournaments start this weekend. Let's not lose that opportunity.

[dogsrus]

I understand all of the points about rewarding mediocrity, but what about player development? I for one think Sam Maniscalco got a great deal out of the last 2 tournaments, especially 2 years ago in the CBI in games at Virginia and the series vs. Tulsa. Contributing like that as a freshman and getting that type of opportunity is really a good thing and helped him further his position as a big game player as seen numerous times this year like in the MVC quarterfinals. I'm not saying Sam M wouldn't be good had we not had the chance to play in those tournaments. BUT - I think he has played and seen a lot in his first 2 years and these tournaments were helpful to him.

I fully respect people do not want to attend these games. And that is fine. Definitely a personal choice.

The chance to practice as a team for the next week prior to a game has to be worth something as well I would think.

Let's face it, even if we win one of these tournaments, I don't think anyone will be jumping for joy. But it is an opportunity to keep playing. If people do not want to watch, then that is their choice. I do not see why "making" BU turn this down will be at all helpful.

You make some great points.....That was MY (and many others) thoughts the last two times. I guess you ask at what point does player development trump the "pride" side for lack of a better word.

As a fan its borderline embarassing to be invited to this tournament. IF people could see it as simply a chance to play...ok...but since its at the years end its talked about as post season play.

Even BU markets it as post season play. The ONLY thing that makes it that is that its at the seasons end but we embarass ourselves as a University by touting it as anything more then what it is.

People were talking about a CIT/CBI banner...I'd personally sneak into Carver and rip it down IF they ever decide to hang one.

With the injuries to Sam and Taylor I'd say get healthy and focus on recruiting and other off season things.

IF JL would play AT, MK, DSE, JE exclusively I MIGHT reconsider but when you play you play to win and that lineup probably would be one and done.

End the season.....mercifully.

[BradleyBrave]

As it should be. . .let's solve the staffing issues and get recruiting. Time's a-wasting. Why no announcement? The state tournaments start this weekend. Let's not lose that opportunity.

I'm sure JL, EB, and JC will be there. I'm guessing the other two may be elsewhere.

[Guinness]

I cant help but feel that playing in the postseason is a privilege and not a right. I don't think we earned it. If we're not careful we'll develop the mentality of "oh well, we're still going to play in SOME sort of tournament, who cares as long as we play". Then we just become accepting of mediocrity and dont strive for anything. If we reject the CBI and CIT I think it will send a message to the players that they must earn it. 16-15 is not earning it. Set the bar high and dont reward yourself for not reaching it. I wont be spending any money to watch the CBI/CIT and I encourage you to do the same. Send Bradley the only vote that counts, your money (or lack of it). Let them know we expect better.

If my company was 6%(16/15) above breaking even, we'd all be canned.

[BUfan14]

If we're not careful we'll develop the mentality of "oh well, we're still going to play in SOME sort of tournament, who cares as long as we play". Then we just become accepting of mediocrity and dont strive for anything.

People have been saying this a lot and I think it is a silly argument.

1. Will us fans ever accept this as what we want? No. Even those who want to play in them because it is all we have expect more.

2. Will players ever accept this as ok? No. Every player wants to go to the Big Dance plain and simple. Any player that accepts the CBI or CIT as their goal shouldn't be playing. I don't think the players accept this either. No player would.

3. Will coaches ever accept this as ok? No. I'm sure JL want NCAA tournys not these tournys. I don't think he will ever get the point of accepting these as a goal nor saying well it was a great year because we got to these.

So who is it that is going to fall into accepting these "mediocre" tournament?? I don't see how anyone will. Who is going to say "aw who cares we still get these?" NO player, NO coach, and NO fan would. Everyone wants NCAA plain and simple.

[Da Coach]

You are right BUfan14- the goal of our coaches and players is to get better, win championships, and play in the NCAA. Nobody is settling for the CBI. But if the chance presents itself this year to play more games, especially home games against good opponents, and if the team wants to do it, I see not problem with the CBI this year.

[BUfan14]

You are right BUfan14- the goal of our coaches and players is to get better, win championships, and play in the NCAA. Nobody is settling for the CBI. But if the chance presents itself this year to play more games, especially home games against good opponents, and if the team wants to do it, I see not problem with the CBI this year.

I'm selfishly all for it, I want more games to watch. I don't like spring training baseball, nor do the Cubs look very exciting this year. I would love to get an opportunity to play BCS teams like we did with Cincinnati and Virginia a couple years ago. The Tulsa series was cool too.

It's not that I'm accepting this, because I'm disappointed about the year too, and next year I still have high expectations because I think we are going to be really good. So my mentality hasn't changed, nor I'm sure has JL's or the players about next year. I'm not accepting these, but it is all we have so why not?

[Bravesfan]

I'm selfishly all for it, I want more games to watch. I don't like spring training baseball, nor do the Cubs look very exciting this year. I would love to get an opportunity to play BCS teams like we did with Cincinnati and Virginia a couple years ago. The Tulsa series was cool too.

It's not that I'm accepting this, because I'm disappointed about the year too, and next year I still have high expectations because I think we are going to be really good. So my mentality hasn't changed, nor I'm sure has JL's or the players about next year. I'm not accepting these, but it is all we have so why not?

Exactly. I don't think anyone is accepting this either, but it is still a tournament and I think this team deserves their support if they decide that they will participate in the tournament. I'm hoping that even if only 3000 people show up, those 3000 will be standing and cheering the whole way through and giving the team as much energy as they would during a regular season conference game. It's still a great accomplishment to win this tournament, even it it's not THE tournament we all want.

And heck, I'd much rather we be playing than watching preseason baseball as well!