NIT-ology

For some reason I was looking at NIT-ology today trying to get a read on what Mizzou's chances are of receiving an invitation. I was somewhat surprised to see that they had us in as a No. 2 seed. Bryan Burwell wrote a column a couple weeks ago and in it he said something to the effect that the NIT had become a long shot for the Tigers so I didn't realize we were in as good of shape as we are. 

It's hard to believe that it has been almost three years since MU has played in any kind of postseason tournament (excluding the conference tourney). If this team could get an NIT bid and win a couple of games then that would be a significant accomplishment considering all the turmoil this season has brought. 

The fact that I would actually be excited to watch Mizzou play in the NIT might be even more depressing than the fact that it's been 5 years since the Tigers have made it to the NCAAs. I don't think a lot of current MU students realize how good Missouri basketball used to be. I first started following Mizzou basketball closely around 2000 and didn't really think there was a possibility that there would be seasons where we didn't at least get an NCAA Tournament bid. They didn't always have much success once they got there but they were going to be in the Tournament. 

If the Tigers shoot a decent percentage from the charity stripe in that Elite 8 game against OU in 02 (or Clarence Gilbert doesn't do his best John Starks impersonation) then Quin Snyder takes that team to its first Final Four in school history and Quin receives a lifetime contract. 

The following season Ricky Paulding and Arthur Johnson nearly carried Mizzou past Dwyane Wade's Marquette team that went on to the Final Four and Mizzou appeared to be one of the nations up and coming programs. But the following season was when this year's senior class arrived on campus and the Snyder regime began collapsing under its own weight.

So I went from expecting the Tigers to become a perennial national title contender to breaking down their NIT chances. It's hard to believe things could change so drastically. Thank God I have Chase Daniel to take my mind off of this.