Topic: Should MU accept a Post Season Pay for Play Tournament Bid?

[JEP3rd]

If we could get a home game I think it would be a good idea.  This group is entirely different than Herrion's or DJ's kids.  These kids like one another and enjoy playing the game of basketball.  I think they would play hard to win the thing.  It would allow James  and Justin to play in post season before there college careers were over.  It would give the team more practice time as well.  I just don't know if the administrations has a favorable attitude toward this arrangement..  Plus I think it would make for a good springboard into next fall practice if they can be successful.

Like this sentiment, especially for the seniors who haven't seen a post-season before. And maybe, just maybe if they got to a semi-final, even in a CBI or a CIT, it affects media and league perception heading into next year...and maybe even recruiting, telling new guys they have a shot at a post-season.

[coalherd]

To be perfectly frank, if the players want to, I'm sure the coaching staff and MH will try to accommodate their wishes.  From a fan's standpoint, plusses and minuses.  First, we are currently a .500 team.  But look at the previous 3 seasons, team averaged 20 losses per.  So, when have any of you/us been THAT EXCITED about a .500 team in early march?  Clearly there is a Buzz circling the Henderson Center, H-town and the tri-state.  Evidence:  have you checked the Herd's game attendance figures lately, especially the last several home games?

OK, so conference USA is not what it used to be, ranking something like 20th out of 32 D1 conferences well behind the likes of the MAC and Colonial Athletic.  But we are still in contention for a top 4 finish in our conference and double bye in the tourney.  Compare that to our recent early exits and non-factor status in CUSA basketball.  Danny D. says our goal is to win the NCAA.  Well, that has to start somewhere. We are NOW competitive, in his second season, near the top of CUSA and vying for the championship.  If we don't win the tourney and qualify for either the NCAA or the NIT, the other 2 tourneys offer teams a chance to extend their seasons (and, for us, the fans, to continue to enjoy what is now the EXCITEMENT of Herd basketball).  These other two tourneys will have some "name" schools in their fields, some will be from the "power" leagues, others from basketball leagues like the Big East and A-10.  One of the tourneys, can't remember which, comes down to a best 2 of 3 games between the last 2 teams.  Could you imagine if the Herd made it to the last 2 and played, say, a 2 out of 3 series with someone like Northwestern of the Big 10?  No excitement there, eh?  How often does MU get a game in the HC against a Big Ten opponent?  Once every 4 or 5 decades or so, I'll bet (Woody W. could verify this).  So no matter how this next week goes, here's hoping the Herd will STILL BE PLAYING after March 12th and that Herd fans will stay enthused and back the team like they have in the last few weeks!!  GO HERD!!

[MUther]

ECU really enjoyed winning the CBI a few years ago.  And I felt like it gave CUSA a little street cred past Memphis and UAB, etc.  Kelly only had one year to showcase what he could do for a shot at the next level.  A tournament could really help in that respect.  We did make the NIT a few years ago and didn't seem to get up for that either.  That group and coach are no longer here and I don't think we have to worry about these kids and coach being motivated to play basketball anywhere, anytime.  Different attitude altogether.

[Herdfan2005]

I was at that game in Murfreesboro and Herrion lost that team.  I will never forget him and Pena getting into it on the court.  One of the worst showings I have ever seen from a Marshall basketball team.