NIT Championship 2010

By James Sheldon on March 31st, 2010

It is technically still March, so what of the other college basketball tournament? I am speaking of the NIT.

I’m fully aware of the CBI (College Basketball Invitational tournament), and the new CollegeInsider.com basketball tournament, and yes, I refer to them all as the fake tournament. Fake tournament 1, 2 and 3. It doesn’t help that the NIT plays their championship game on April Fool’s Day. I mean, seriously–why not Friday, April 2nd? The day before the Final Four?

All arrogance aside, the NIT carries a little bit of weight. It is the tournament that allows a glimpse into the progression of young teams. It also allows the teams that were snubbed by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee to state, “Hey suckas, we should been invited to the dance!” Most of them fold in the first or second round, however, feelings hurt and ready to head home.

The 2010 NIT Championship will boast two teams from the first category. The University of North Carolina Tarheels, and the Dayton University Flyers. Carolina squeaked by Rhode Island in an overtime semifinal thriller, and Dayton was able to outlast Ole Miss, by hitting clutch free throws down the stretch. Where’s John Calipari? Hear that John? Free throws.

After spitting and sputtering throughout the 2009-2010 season, it looks as if Roy Williams finally has the boys in Carolina Blue firing on more than two cylinders. The Heels have an opportunity to become the first team to follow an NCAA Tournament Championship with an NIT Championship, and the battle with Dayton should be a dandy.

I wish I cared to offer an in depth analysis, but would you read it? No. It’s the NIT. I’m going with Carolina because of Roy Williams.

In related news, Missouri State University, (hot-dang, my alma mater), took the championship of the CollegeInsider.com post-season tournament, and no doubt, they feel snubbed by the NIT selection committee. Congrats to the BEARS! Let’s get back to the dance next year, fellas!