Channeling my inner SMF, I will go here first.

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

We saw numerous teams, including our own parish opt out of bowl games. Do we, will we see some basketball programs "opt out" of the NCAA tourney.

Thinking out loud, because if that happens, Pitt might be able to go 4-2 down the stretch and get in.

 

[lilspainishflea]

I don't think so. Teams opted out of meaningless Bowl games since they had nothing to do with the Championship. Nobody opted out of the CFP. Using similar logic, I doubt anyone opts out of being part of the field of 64 that could win a championship.

The NIT maybe, but not the NCAAT.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

We saw numerous teams, including our own parish opt out of bowl games. Do we, will we see some basketball programs "opt out" of the NCAA tourney.

Thinking out loud, because if that happens, Pitt might be able to go 4-2 down the stretch and get in.

This has the same shot of happening as Camille Kostek opting out with Gronk and letting me opt-in her

 

[PittMBA]

We saw numerous teams, including our own parish opt out of bowl games. Do we, will we see some basketball programs "opt out" of the NCAA tourney.

Thinking out loud, because if that happens, Pitt might be able to go 4-2 down the stretch and get in.

I don’t think teams will opt out - but there might be teams that can’t meet the protocols. I think I read you have to have 7 straight days of negative tests to be allowed in the bubbles. I could certainly see a few teams not being able to make it . I wonder if there will be be a group of alternate teams should a replacement be needed.

 

[wolf0717]

I don't think so. Teams opted out of meaningless Bowl games since they had nothing to do with the Championship. Nobody opted out of the CFP. Using similar logic, I doubt anyone opts out of being part of the field of 64 that could win a championship.

The NIT maybe, but not the NCAAT.

It's a money issue. Team going to the Topeka Toilet Flush Bowl would actually lose money. Teams going to Indy for even 1 forty minute encounter will benefit financially.

 

[lilspainishflea]

It's a money issue. Team going to the Topeka Toilet Flush Bowl would actually lose money. Teams going to Indy for even 1 forty minute encounter will benefit financially.

Exactly. The risk/reward wasn't there for low-tier bowl games. You're potentially exposing your entire football program and damaging your brand, plus a lot of bowls wouldn't have even had fan attendance. There was very little upside.

But the upside for a hoops team is astronomical. How much was George Mason's Final Four run worth? None of those teams are opting out.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Regardless of other issues, Covid cases are now significantly declining nationally. If that trend continues for the next 30 days it could make this concern moot. Have to see what happens.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

We saw numerous teams, including our own parish opt out of bowl games. Do we, will we see some basketball programs "opt out" of the NCAA tourney.

Thinking out loud, because if that happens, Pitt might be able to go 4-2 down the stretch and get in.

A million percent no. Now, there could be COVID outbreaks that force teams to be ineligible but no team will opt out. The NCAAT is actually important. Bowl games are meaningless exhibition games similar to the NIT. There will be teams (maybe Pitt included) who opt out of the NIT

 

[FireballZ]

I could see some teams opting out of their conference tournaments, but I doubt anyone voluntarily opts out of the NCAAT.

 

[Pittx9]

Conference tourneys, yes. NCAA, not a chance.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

We saw numerous teams, including our own parish opt out of bowl games. Do we, will we see some basketball programs "opt out" of the NCAA tourney.

Thinking out loud, because if that happens, Pitt might be able to go 4-2 down the stretch and get in.

No
Because of the tournament nature
They aren’t exhibitions like bowl games

 

[Ronnyp91]

Aren’t there financial penalties/fines for opting out of your conference tournament?

 

[levance2]

I don't know the details about how bowl travel worked compared to NCAAT travel, but I would guess it is significantly more expensive to transport a football program to some random city around the country vs this single, controlled bubble that the NCAA is running in Indy.

I still have doubts that the NIT will even happen.

 

[DT_PITT]

I don't know the details about how bowl travel worked compared to NCAAT travel, but I would guess it is significantly more expensive to transport a football program to some random city around the country vs this single, controlled bubble that the NCAA is running in Indy.

I still have doubts that the NIT will even happen.

I'd put the odds at less than 50-50 that the NIT happens.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'd put the odds at less than 50-50 that the NIT happens.

Yea me too. Not sure it makes money so the NCAA doesn't care about it. I hope it does because Pitt can make it if we can finish 3-3 or maybe 2-4

 

[JRPITT]

I don't think so. Teams opted out of meaningless Bowl games since they had nothing to do with the Championship. Nobody opted out of the CFP. Using similar logic, I doubt anyone opts out of being part of the field of 64 that could win a championship.

The NIT maybe, but not the NCAAT.

Don't know if NIT will occur, but if Pitt doesn't make the NCAA tourney but can play in the NIT, I would like to see it. Baby steps forward for this program are better than no steps.

 

[levance2]

Don't know if NIT will occur, but if Pitt doesn't make the NCAA tourney but can play in the NIT, I would like to see it. Baby steps forward for this program are better than no steps.

I actually think an NIT would be a pretty big waste for this team. Champagnie is likely gone and he doesn't have much reason to care about an NIT. Otherwise, a couple extra games is not going to do anything for XJ or Toney, and we're barely playing our other underclassmen.

I'd rather just call it over and have them stay home and healthy and get back to S&C and let the staff recruit.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I actually think an NIT would be a pretty big waste for this team. Champagnie is likely gone and he doesn't have much reason to care about an NIT. Otherwise, a couple extra games is not going to do anything for XJ or Toney, and we're barely playing our other underclassmen.

I'd rather just call it over and have them stay home and healthy and get back to S&C and let the staff recruit.

Even if Champagnie leaves, an NIT run could be a springboard if everyone else comes back

 

[levance2]

Even if Champagnie leaves, an NIT run could be a springboard if everyone else comes back

I don't really believe there's any such thing as a springboard. As we've seen, our best wins sometimes pave the way for our dumbest losses.

Pitt played against plenty of teams rated 40-80 this season and one or two more isn't going to turn on the lightbulb.

With that said, if they want to play it then I'll definitely watch. I just know that it isn't some magical stepping stone. There's a pretty realistic chance that the team will be worse next year.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

As always, ask the players. If they want to play, play. If they don't want to play, don't.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I don't really believe there's any such thing as a springboard. As we've seen, our best wins sometimes pave the way for our dumbest losses.

Pitt played against plenty of teams rated 40-80 this season and one or two more isn't going to turn on the lightbulb.

With that said, if they want to play it then I'll definitely watch. I just know that it isn't some magical stepping stone. There's a pretty realistic chance that the team will be worse next year.

I hear what you're saying and I realize the "NIT as a springboard" narrative may be something nice to think and a talking point announcers like without any actual validity. I believe there is some merit to it though.....if the team stays in tact. That said, if a team returns everyone from an NIT team, you'd think they'd be good enough to have a solid NCAAT team next year even if they lost in the NIT 1st Round.

And you are correct that there's a realistic chance we'll be worse next year. We almost certainly will if Champagnie leaves. If Johnson and Toney also leave, it could be tragically bad

 

[pittjas]

I hear what you're saying and I realize the "NIT as a springboard" narrative may be something nice to think and a talking point announcers like without any actual validity. I believe there is some merit to it though.....if the team stays in tact. That said, if a team returns everyone from an NIT team, you'd think they'd be good enough to have a solid NCAAT team next year even if they lost in the NIT 1st Round.

And you are correct that there's a realistic chance we'll be worse next year. We almost certainly will if Champagnie leaves. If Johnson and Toney also leave, it could be tragically bad

If AD and LeBron both retire this offseason, the Lakers will be tragically bad next year.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

If AD and LeBron both retire this offseason, the Lakers will be tragically bad next year.

Correct. But there's probably an 80% chance Champagnie is gone, a 30% chance Toney leaves (to transfer up), and a 10% chance Johnson leaves

 

[pittchagg]

I like the NIT. It’s fun. I’d be into it.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Correct. But there's probably an 80% chance Champagnie is gone, a 30% chance Toney leaves (to transfer up), and a 10% chance Johnson leaves

Why do you think Toney transfers “up”? He plays 35 mins in the ACC

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Why do you think Toney transfers “up”? He plays 35 mins in the ACC

For a 1 year rental, he could name his destination: Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, etc.

Also may want to see what he can do in an elite league like the Big Ten 😉

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

For a 1 year rental, he could name his destination: Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, etc.

Also may want to see what he can do in an elite league like the Big Ten 😉

1 free transfer isn’t approved yet and I can say with 100 percent assurance Kentucky doesn’t want him.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

1 free transfer isn’t approved yet and I can say with 100 percent assurance Kentucky doesn’t want him.

It will be approved and ok, Kentucky doesn't want him. As a 1 year player, he can name his school (outside of a small few).

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

It will be approved and ok, Kentucky doesn't want him. As a 1 year player, he can name his school (outside of a small few).

If he leaves Pitt, him and whoever’s advising him should be shot. No other school will let him do what he does here. He has literal free reign to play how he wants offensively. I doubt he leaves.

 

[pittchagg]

If he leaves Pitt, him and whoever’s advising him should be shot. No other school will let him do what he does here. He has literal free reign to play how he wants offensively. I doubt he leaves.

If the over/under of “current starters who leave early with eligibility on the table” is 1.5, I’m absolutely hammering the under.