CIT still up in the air
Let’s assume for a moment that the Hawaii athletics administration is willing to put up the $35,000 base fee for the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, plus whatever additional ticket and operational costs UH has to front, which might come out to about another $20K.
As of Saturday night, there’s a chance Hawaii could score a berth to the 32-team CIT. Take a moment to appreciate how unlikely this seemed on the heels of the demoralizing 71-60 loss to UC Irvine in the Big West first round on Thursday.
CIT chair Riley Wallace said today that several of the teams he’d targeted for participation, particularly in the West region, are no longer available because of the unpredictability of league tournaments, among other factors. For example, one of the Big West teams he targeted (UC Irvine or Pacific) will win the BWC championship and go to the NCAA Tournament. And he can’t invite Long Beach State instead because the 49ers get a NIT appearance based on their regular-season Big West championship.
Should Pacific hold on to win the BWC title (it’s up 11 at halftime right now), that robs Wallace of a team willing to host two rounds, which might make UH more appealing for the CIT.
Thirty-two teams in a pay-for-play tournament is quite a few. Only a handful of teams in the event are willing to host for more than a game or two, should they make it that far. UH proved it could make it work two years ago, when it was a 24-team tournament, and broke even financially in hosting two games.
There’s at least a shred of interest on UH’s part this time. Athletic director Ben Jay indicated on Saturday that it was premature to call the Rainbow Warriors’ season officially over.
UH coach Gib Arnold told our Dave Reardon today that he would be receptive to participation in the CIT, particularly if Brandon Spearman continues to progress in his ankle rehab.
Would you go to a CIT game (or two) if it materialized? Or are you too down on the team’s recent performances? Comment away with your thoughts.
I’m down!
“Down” as in…When do the tickets go on sale!
How could anyone, news media or in the athletic admin. at UH, in their right mind could even consider having this basketball team play in the CIT tourney!! Geezus, it would be just a monumental waste of monies for a team certainly not deserving to play in any tourney. Don’t get me wrong, as I am a UH supporter, but let’s face the facts and reality that it would be an embarrassment and waste of monies for the UH men’s basketball team to play in any tournament. Just facing up to reality and their pathetic performance.
Brian,
Sorry, I wouldnt pay to watch COACH GIBB coach a game. If Coach Gibb reply to Dave Readon, that he would be open to an invite, if Brandon Spearman was making good progress and may play, that reply tells me that he is setting up to blame the players for the loss on Thursday. Gibb Arnold’s strategy for games lack any hint of Greatness, we were (once again) outcoached on Thursday. Basketball is a team game, the lure of game adjustments is what makes the conference tournament so interesting, and let us not forget that the basketball is a suppose to be a game of RUNS. Using the right players to break the other teams timing and start your run is most important item. I wont pay to see Vander, hold the ball and hold the ball and get no shot or turnover, and 3point basket from Vander is nice, but even better would be seeing Vander kick the ball out quickly and repost in close and take a shot quickly, and go to the foul line. The job for the head coach is to get the players to do the things that will help the team win and Coach Arnold failed as in other big games(San Francisco) and it seems he hints at blaming the players for losses.
Please do not let the University extend his contract and better yet remove some of his incentives such as the Autograph incentive, nuff said no post-season this year unless Riley lowers the entry fee by at least $10000.
lastly hurrah for Hans Breton, great game.
IF YOU Are About IMPROVEMENT, However Frustrating that may be
(AND IF Youʻve Played or Performed At A HIGH Level,
YOU KNOW Failure and Frustration
OR Youʻve Just Been Really Playing it SAFE…)
Then for The Growth of the PROGRAM You TAKE Additional opportunities,
Whether itʻs a Spring Volleyball Game against an OUTCLASSED Opponent,
An Exhibition Softball or Swimming/Diving/Tennis Whatever…
I AGREE & Support BJʻs Efforts to be Financially/ Fiscally Responsible
BUT A March, End-of-Season Win or Go Home Game against a .500+ D-1 Team IS WAY Better than A Fall Exhibition Game against a D-II Local Team or Summer League, etc…
THIS IS A Young Team — EIGHT Freshmen, Three or More to be Added AND Obviously they STILL Need to Learn How to Play at D-1 or BW or UH “Winning” Levels…
As A Supporter, i WILL DO What i can to Support…
Ideally they Break Even or Better — BUT This Will NOT Be True for many Other Universities …
(Not So Fortunate AS OUR UH Volleyball, Baseball, Basketball Teams…)
PLAY TO WIN
Quit Griping & Crying (Losers? Instead Contribute to Positive Solutions…)
And Work to Improve…
I’m sure the players would love to keep their season going. Real competitors never quit and the truly supportive fans will be out there to cheer them on. I’d be there in a heart beat if I could, but I’ve watched every game via streaming video that was available (often staying up until 1:30 am!).
I and my wife will go!!!!
Please..Stop it already with the abc tourney for losers!..
All you folks talking about going to the tourney if Hawaii is invited is losing all sense of purpose as the UH WILL HAVE TO PAY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT CIT TOURNEY. It’s like throwing monies to the fools and, didn’t we just waste monies on this past season’s concert fundraising fiasco and now, if invited, UH will have to ante up $35,000 just to participate and embarrass themselves……GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! THAT MONIES COULD BE BETTER SPENT ON RECRUITING OR BASIC NECESSITIES OR RESOURCES IN THE ATHLETIC DEPT.
It’s worth noting that with a high enough turnout (4K or more in the stands) UH can break even or make money on the event. The question is, what kind of turnout could be expected coming off a three-game losing streak on a weekday?
Like I said…I’m down! I like the core group of players UH has. The best part also the worst part is they are freshman. So excited to have Fotu, and Jawato around for 3 more years. I’d buy a ticket and a large Gordon Biersch to see these guys play again. Plus, one more chance to hear the horn section in the band too!
Brian….strong possibility of the losing streak ending and a new winning streak beginning if Spearman plays and plays well.
Hope they get the CIT call and also the wahine too.
Well, to tell you the truth I’d be interested if… . but it won’t happen.
and the “if” is Coach plays the Freshmen the majority of the minutes. This tourney is more for gaining experience more than anything else. The team is being in not participating in the Big Dance or the NIT.
It’s just how I feel, that’s all.
oh boy, i can’t edit my last post.
What I meant was the team is not going to the Big Dance nor the NIT’s. So, by participating in the CIT, hope Coach would give the underclassmen the majority of the minutes. There’s nothing for the win but having the returning players gain a bit more experience.
Done deal! Get our tickets everyone!
Well Brian, hope you had safe and non turbulent flight from LA. UH got into CIT with help from Riley! Hope UH will get win against AF on Wed nite. Post another , Court Sense, or article on Tuesday, UH Basketball season not done yet!
I think it’s great that Hawaii is in the CIT. The top 100 teams are in the NCAA’s and NIT. So what if you can’t take the prom Queen as your date. At least you’re going to the prom!
The competition-level of the CIT is in line with what Hawaii has to offer. Games will be competitive. As for Wednesday’s game with 17-13 Air Force, it might not draw too well since it is only three days away. But imagine hosting again in the second round. It’ll be rocking next weekend at the SSA.