It all comes down to tonight.

[abraveforlife]

If there is even a chance for us getting into the NCAA tournament then tonight is a massive game. The NCAA tournament should be our teams only goal and they should not settle for anything less. If they fail, the program itself should turn down any bid to the NIT. The NIT is worthless and a lot of you know this too. It is not the same tournament that it once was and support for it is beginning to waiver. My university is on a upswing with recruiting, scheduling, and facilities for our athletes. It is only a matter of time before Bradley is a year in and year out pick to win the valley. It is only a matter a time before we pop on sportscenter, instead of the local news, to get our Bradley highlights. Folks, do not settle for this NIT crap. Put the pressure on the program to succeed. Boo them when they are down 17-3. Cheer them when they comeback. Win tonight!!!

 

[houstontxbrave]

Re: It all comes down to tonight.

If there is even a chance for us getting into the NCAA tournament then tonight is a massive game. The NCAA tournament should be our teams only goal and they should not settle for anything less. If they fail, the program itself should turn down any bid to the NIT. The NIT is worthless and a lot of you know this too. It is not the same tournament that it once was and support for it is beginning to waiver. My university is on a upswing with recruiting, scheduling, and facilities for our athletes. It is only a matter of time before Bradley is a year in and year out pick to win the valley. It is only a matter a time before we pop on sportscenter, instead of the local news, to get our Bradley highlights. Folks, do not settle for this NIT crap. Put the pressure on the program to succeed. Boo them when they are down 17-3. Cheer them when they comeback. Win tonight!!!

NIT games are not worthless, they provide more games, more practice time and national exposure,

I do not want an NIT bid either but they are not worthless.

Also, a win tonight is a nice step but there is way to much ahead to determine any game is a must win etc.

 

[rohara]

If it is not possible for us to make the NCAA, then I would settle for the NIT, but only for the more national exposure and games for the team it would bring.

I still would prefer to be in NCAA tourney, because that is what it is all about... Go Braves

 

[thefish7]

I want the NCAA, but the NIT is still definately worth going to if we didn't make the NCAA field. More tough games against good opponents and some national exposure.

 

[Guinness]

Its ISU....


I mean, c'mon.....we all know we're going to wreck them.

 

[Fetz86]

I also have a problem with the "boo them while they are down" comment, thats not the way to encourage them to pick it back up.

 

[abraveforlife]

I want the NCAA, but the NIT is still definately worth going to if we didn't make the NCAA field. More tough games against good opponents and some national exposure.

No...it was a huge game. If they would of lost, the season is basically over and you would of been able to get ready for your third rate NIT tournament.

 

[BradleyBrave]

I want the NCAA, but the NIT is still definately worth going to if we didn't make the NCAA field. More tough games against good opponents and some national exposure.

No...it was a huge game. If they would of lost, the season is basically over and you would of been able to get ready for your third rate NIT tournament.

If the NIT is 3rd rate, what is 2nd rate?

 

[BI_Brave_alum]

I want the NCAA, but the NIT is still definately worth going to if we didn't make the NCAA field. More tough games against good opponents and some national exposure.

No...it was a huge game. If they would of lost, the season is basically over and you would of been able to get ready for your third rate NIT tournament.

If the NIT is 3rd rate, what is 2nd rate?

good point!

 

[ER3]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as to the NIT being 'worthless' and a '3rd rate tournament'. However, based on what this team lost from last year...making the NIT would be a great accomplishment for this team, this coaching staff, and this program. Do I hope we make the NCAA Tournament? Of course. But if we "only" make the NIT this year, I think that is a fantastic thing for this program to hang its hat on...It was important, I think, that this program didn't come out this year and completely fall off of the national map after our Sweet 16 run last year...and if we can approach the 20 win mark and finish top 5 or 6 in the Valley with a post-season tournamnet bid of some sort, I think we have succeeded in avoiding that fate...And for the individuals, it gives the seniors from this team an opportunity to play some additional meaningful games in the middle of March for the second year in a row...It's not the NCAA Tournament, but I sincerely doubt that anyone on this team would want to skip the NIT if that is where we ended up for the postseason...

 

[abraveforlife]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as to the NIT being 'worthless' and a '3rd rate tournament'. However, based on what this team lost from last year...making the NIT would be a great accomplishment for this team, this coaching staff, and this program. Do I hope we make the NCAA Tournament? Of course. But if we "only" make the NIT this year, I think that is a fantastic thing for this program to hang its hat on...It was important, I think, that this program didn't come out this year and completely fall off of the national map after our Sweet 16 run last year...and if we can approach the 20 win mark and finish top 5 or 6 in the Valley with a post-season tournamnet bid of some sort, I think we have succeeded in avoiding that fate...And for the individuals, it gives the seniors from this team an opportunity to play some additional meaningful games in the middle of March for the second year in a row...It's not the NCAA Tournament, but I sincerely doubt that anyone on this team would want to skip the NIT if that is where we ended up for the postseason...

First, I am not saying these guys do not deserve a post-season bid, but I think you guys are letting this NIT thing look a bit too dreamy. First, Nevada and Gonzaga; given that their conferences are not as tough as the Valley, seem to drive themselves into the tournament year in and year out. Im sure that these teams would not settle for anything less. Secondly, South Carolina has been the recking machines of the NIT it has done nothing for their program. Third, I look at our own Valley tournament as 2nd rate compared to NCAA tournament making the NIT a THIRD RATE TOURNAMENT.

 

[GObravesGO1981]

AB4L - your opinion is without base.

I'm all for not settling...but lets be real here. A team that lost 95% of its production making any kind of postseason (The Valley Tourney doesn't count - each of the MVC teams gets a shot) is quite an accomplishment.

I'll take a shot at a championship game at MSG over sittin' at home watchin' the dance on CBS.

 

[ER3]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as to the NIT being 'worthless' and a '3rd rate tournament'. However, based on what this team lost from last year...making the NIT would be a great accomplishment for this team, this coaching staff, and this program. Do I hope we make the NCAA Tournament? Of course. But if we "only" make the NIT this year, I think that is a fantastic thing for this program to hang its hat on...It was important, I think, that this program didn't come out this year and completely fall off of the national map after our Sweet 16 run last year...and if we can approach the 20 win mark and finish top 5 or 6 in the Valley with a post-season tournamnet bid of some sort, I think we have succeeded in avoiding that fate...And for the individuals, it gives the seniors from this team an opportunity to play some additional meaningful games in the middle of March for the second year in a row...It's not the NCAA Tournament, but I sincerely doubt that anyone on this team would want to skip the NIT if that is where we ended up for the postseason...

First, I am not saying these guys do not deserve a post-season bid, but I think you guys are letting this NIT thing look a bit too dreamy. First, Nevada and Gonzaga; given that their conferences are not as tough as the Valley, seem to drive themselves into the tournament year in and year out. Im sure that these teams would not settle for anything less. Secondly, South Carolina has been the recking machines of the NIT it has done nothing for their program. Third, I look at our own Valley tournament as 2nd rate compared to NCAA tournament making the NIT a THIRD RATE TOURNAMENT.

I would agree with you that I don't think we would want to make the NIT our goal year in and year out...And I don't think that making the NIT every year is going to help build any type of national momentum for a program...but...I'm just looking at this year...and the fact that we lost 3/4 of our scoring from last year....and that we were picked 8th or 9th in the Valley...that we had major issues with our frontcourt depth staring us in the face...With all of those things working against us, making any type of postseason tournament is a huge, huge accomplishment. Because it shows that we are building the type of program and we have the coaching staff in place that can overachieve and still make a postseason tournament of some sort in the 'down years'...like SIU does, like Creighton does...and that is where we need to get to...to the point where our 'down years', the years where we are picked to be 9th in the Valley, end up producing an 18 to 20 win season and an NIT bid...

 

[Dubl R 1]

You can't cross the ocean until you build a ship. Good recruits, 20 win seasons, national exposure, post-season bids on a year to year basis(be it NCAA or NIT) are the "pieces" to Bradley's ship. When we get all these pieces in place we will set sail as an elite program.

 

[abraveforlife]

AB4L - your opinion is silly and without base.

I'm all for not settling...but lets be real here. A team that lost 95% of its production making any kind of postseason (The Valley Tourney doesn't count - each of the MVC teams gets a shot) is quite an accomplishment.

I'll take a shot at a championship game at MSG over sittin' at home watchin' the dance on CBS.

It is not without base and my opinion is not crap just like your opinion. This is a forum. Stick to arguing the issue.

After the Creighton game, a whole bunch of Bradley fans were beginning to warm up the NIT bus. I thought that this was nonsense. That is why I started up this post. Hey, playing in Madison Square Garden would be gold, but taking that over us playing in the NCAA Tournament....I would have to choose one game in the NCAA tournament. Just look at Missouri State last year...they were pissed they missed out on the NCAA Tournament. They did not want to go to the NIT. If we make to MSG and play for a championship after losing 95% of our scoring from last year then WOW.

When I purchased my season tickets in 2000, my hope was to see a program get back on track and it happened. I thought Les could evaluate talent and recruit as well. He is succeeding in doing both. Last year, we got our names out there and more people know about Bradley basketball. If we can hop into the tournament this year and maybe for just one game, I would take it because we our settling for the best not mediocre results. That is how you really build a program.

Yes, I know everybody goes to the Valley tournament, but it is still a tournament. Everybody and their mom is invited to the NIT.

 

[GObravesGO1981]

AB4L - your opinion is silly and without base.

I'm all for not settling...but lets be real here. A team that lost 95% of its production making any kind of postseason (The Valley Tourney doesn't count - each of the MVC teams gets a shot) is quite an accomplishment.

I'll take a shot at a championship game at MSG over sittin' at home watchin' the dance on CBS.

"It is not without base and my opinion is not crap just like your opinion. This is a forum. Stick to arguing the issue."

Then I'll retract the "silly" part and you can decide for yourself.

You say "Everybody and their mom makes the NIT." Not so.

You argue that we should "turn down any bid" to the NIT. As I see it - thats pretty silly.

And you also say "Boo them when they are down 17-3." WHAT?!?

I argued my points - 1.)never settle and 2.) the NIT is way better than sittin' around watching other schools playing ball.

I think that you should give up the rest of your season tickets to someone who cares and sees the positive direction this program is headed in.

 

[abraveforlife]

AB4L - your opinion is silly and without base.

I'm all for not settling...but lets be real here. A team that lost 95% of its production making any kind of postseason (The Valley Tourney doesn't count - each of the MVC teams gets a shot) is quite an accomplishment.

I'll take a shot at a championship game at MSG over sittin' at home watchin' the dance on CBS.

"It is not without base and my opinion is not crap just like your opinion. This is a forum. Stick to arguing the issue."

Then I'll retract the "silly" part and you can decide for yourself.

You say "Everybody and their mom makes the NIT." Not so.

You argue that we should "turn down any bid" to the NIT. As I see it - thats pretty silly.

And you also say "Boo them when they are down 17-3." WHAT?!?

I argued my points - 1.)never settle and 2.) the NIT is way better than sittin' around watching other schools playing ball.

I think that you should give up the rest of your season tickets to someone who cares and sees the positive direction this program is headed in.

Like I said....thats why I purchased the tickets. I am not blind to the positives. I have been going to the games since my birth in 83. So...yah.... I really don't care about the program.

 

[MacabreMob]

First, Nevada and Gonzaga; given that their conferences are not as tough as the Valley, seem to drive themselves into the tournament year in and year out. Im sure that these teams would not settle for anything less.

Gonzaga has been to the NCAA the last 8 years in a row.

Nevada has been to the NCAA the last 3 years in a row.

10 years ago:

Gonzaga had been to the NCAA only 1 time after a 4th place finish in their conference and winning the automatic bid in their conference tourney.

Nevada had been to the NCAA only 2 times.

Overall:
Gonzaga
9 NCAA's
1995 1st appearance
2006 last appearance
12-9 NCAA record (.571)

Nevada
5 NCAA's
1984 1st appearance
2006 last appearance
3-5 NCAA record (.375)

Bradley
8 NCAA's
1950 1st appearance
2006 last appearance
11-8 NCAA record (.579)

 

[MacabreMob]

Secondly, South Carolina has been the recking machines of the NIT it has done nothing for their program.

South Carolina
2006 NIT Champs
2005 NIT Champs
2002 NIT Runner-Ups

8 NCAA appearances
1971 1st NCAA appearance
2004 last NCAA appearance
4-9 NCAA record (.308)

2004 - lost as a 10 seed R1
1998 - lost as 3 seed R1
1997 - lost as 2 seed R1
1989 - lost as 12 seed R1

 

[LongTimeFan]

Turning Down an NIT Invite

Turning Down an NIT Invite

I am sure other old timers will remember when Bradley turned down the NIT several years ago. I believe you might have to go back to the 60's - actually unsure of the time period.

Bradley's recruiting the next year was disastrous. Only one kid was recruited. This was back in the day when recruits could only be signed in the spring. You can make a point that this would not be a concern with Les. However, I believe that kids like to go somewhere that has national exposure. Turning down an invitation might be sending the wrong signal to potential recruits.

Again, this might not be a concern as circumstances are different now and history does not always repeat itself.