It's selection Sunday Colonial fans! This might not be the most exciting day ever when all year you've been hoping to get into the big dance, but RMU will be seeded for the NIT. Believe it or not, there are more good basketball teams than the 30-some at large bids that get into the big dance, so everyone in the NIT is more than capable of playing good basketball.
Do not expect whatever wackiness that occurred last year to happen this year. Kentucky, or any other team like Kentucky, is not coming back to the Chuck. With that being said, there is a chance for RMU to knock-off some big time NCAA programs. John Templon of NYC Buckets is one of the few guys who does an NIT Bracketology. His latest bracket had RMU traveling to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers of the Big Ten. Selfishly, I'd like RMU to play at St. John's so I can travel to New York City. Other possibilities include: SMU, Xavier, Florida State, Utah, California, NC State, Missouri, and Tennessee. Expect RMU to be an eight seed with a chance of moving to a seven.
Lee, being the basketball encyclopedia that he is, might be able to tell you more about which team is a good matchup. Side note: none of these teams are going to be *great* matchups. All of these players are in top-end D-I schools for a reason. There are merely styles of play RMU can take advantage of. For example, I'd like to avoid playing Florida State because of their size and athleticism. They might not be the most skilled at putting the ball in the basket, but they'll be able to defend like hell and probably get everyone in foul trouble.
Personally, give me a team that relies on the three ball. Now you might be saying to yourself, "But Chris, look at Mount St. Mary's. They rely a lot on the three ball and crushed us in the NEC championship game." I do get this theory of thinking. However, I have faith that the zone can take some things away. Toole has talked about all year on how the zone is supposed to really eliminate one aspect of a team, like three point shooting, mid-range scoring, or scoring at the rim. Unfortunately, none of those things worked in the NEC championship game. Credit to Mount St. Mary's for shooting the lights out, but I don't see that happening again. It just takes one bad shooting day for RMU to pull an upset.
That's all I have. Lee can take it from here.
--Chris Cappella
--@C_Cappella
I know guys, we all wish this post was "The Colonials could really give Virginia or an Embiid'less Kansas some problems" but such is life. Mount came into the Chuck, and flat out balled on the offensive end.
With that said, let's not act like the NIT is chopped liver. Sure, it's not the NCAA tournament, but we saw just last year what an upset in the "little brother" tournament can do for the team and program. With two great seniors in Karvel Anderson and Ant Myers Pate, I hope the team gives it their all and tries to send these two out with a bang.
The match ups are certainly tough to forecast, because four of the possible teams that RMU could play, could be the last four in the NCAA field. There honestly are 10 to 12 possible matchups.
The "best" matchup for RMU in my opinion is Xavier.
RMU almost won at Xavier last season, and matches up well with the Musketeers compared to FSU or Minnesota. They don't shoot a ton of threes, so RMU could clog the paint and try to force them to beat them for distance. (Side note: I think Xavier makes the NCAA tournament, but it will be tight).
Unlike the NCAA tournament, there aren't many --if any-- bracketing rules. Travel is considered, as are logistics, so don't expect RMU to play a first round game out west. That eliminates Utah, Cal and other west coast teams.
The most likely East Coast (or close to it) candidates are St John's, NC State, Tennessee, and Georgetown. The Wolfpack and Johnnies are probably the top two options of this group. Both should be in the NIT as one seeds, and both are nearby.
Another midwest trip is possible too. Missouri, Minnesota, SMU, Dayton, and Green Bay are possible candidates (I would assume RMU could draw Dayton at home too, with the Flyers arena booked for the 'First Four' Tuesday and Wednesday).
Of this group, Missouri is certainly vulnerable. They have "we don't care about the NIT at all" written all over them, and Jabari Brown is there only consistent scorer.
RMU probably wants to avoid Green Bay (who I hope sneaks into the NCAA field) because, one they're really good, and two an upset here won't make near the national news that beating St John's Missouri or Georgetown would do.
I think the Colonials are on a crash course for a trip to New York City. St John's is my pick. If that isn't the call, I would think Missouri is the second best bet.
--Lee Kunkel
--@Kunkel5
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