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From: ma3751ao@unmc.UUCP (T.V.)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hoops
Subject: Re: NCAA Tournament Selection prediction
Message-ID: <72@unmc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Mar-86 23:47:56 EST
Article-I.D.: unmc.72
Posted: Wed Mar  5 23:47:56 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Mar-86 00:57:56 EST
References: <124@msdc.msdc.UUCP> <735@ihwpt.UUCP> <226@gc49.UUCP> <12171@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: University Of New Mexico Computing Center, Albuquerque, NM
Lines: 45

> 
> I believe that the NIT is trying to get some prestige back
> by organizing a pre-season tournament (re: no NCAAs to take
> all the good teams) as well as a post-season tourney.

This is true, and the money earned by a pre-season tournament may just
allow the NIT to run a respectable, FAIR post season tournament; which has
not been the case in the past. 

> At any rate, I know there's an NIT because all the talk around here is
> whether we play UCLA at Pauley or whether they come up here in the 1st 
> round. 

If things are as they have been in the past, that is *EASY* to predict.
Which one of you will draw more fans?  The NIT post-season has been
plagued with unfair home court advantages in order to
  
    a) make as much money as possible
    b) get BIG-NAME teams in the final to draw a large crowd
       and make even *more* money.

Here at UNM, we have been to the NIT the past two years after being
2nd in the post season tourney, and accumulating 20 win seasons (NCAA?).
Anyway, we have always had the first one or two games here at home 
because of the "PIT", where the '83 NC state miracle happened.  We
average at least 17000 per game.  BUT, once they made their money, it
was time to screw us over because Lord knows we don't want New Mexico
to somehow end up in the finals.  So despite records, off we go to Fresno
State where we lose.  But don't think Fresno was so lucky, no one wants
to see *them* in the final either, so they go to UCLA's Pauley and are
beaten by an eventual Finalist.  Boy, things sure worked out well for
the NIT commitee.  In the past the NIT has ignored season records.  Your
best bet is either to have a big building, or a big name.  My guess is
if we don't make NCAA this year, a very mediocore year, we still may make
NIT because of the "PIT".

One more BUT... This may change because of the pre-season tournament.  If
it makes the NIT money, they may change their ways in post-season.

Tim----------------------------------------------------------------
|   BOLD PREDICTION==> UNM will take the WAC post-season tourny, and
|                      make the NCAA tournament.
|
| I sure miss the good 'ol days w/ Michael Cooper, Norm Ellenburger.. etc.
|