Diplomacy never crossed my mind. I wouldn't guarantee anything, in or out, at this stage. One could look at the RPI in the 80's and compare that to past years. An invitation (at-large) doesn't seem likely without a hell of a tourney run. On the other hand, just this past year we heard the committee chair say they also look at BPI, Sagarin, and KenPomm and just use the RPI "as an organizer." We're less than a year removed from Colorado State coming in with a RPI of #29, and they were left out. “(CSU) fell short in other metrics we use besides the RPI,” said Utah State athletic director and selection committee chairman Scott Barnes. “We use RPI as an organizer but also use Kenpom and Sagarin and the Basketball Power Index in the room." As far as SEC teams and invitations to the dance this year, the story with LSU is one of the most intriguing this season. There's a few every year (like CSU last season.)
And if we were performing as we are without a player named Simmons on the team, I think the media narrative is different and the likelihood of dancing is much less. Interested in seeing how Bama finishes the season.
I don't think it's in ESPN's best interest for LSU to be in the tournament, it's in CBS's best interest, but ESPN's best interest is LSU being in the NIT, so more people will watch it. Who is the panel made up of?
It's in ESPN's best interest for people to watch the regular season games televised on ESPN. That's why so much love. If Ben wasn't on this team would anybody in SoCal, Chicago or the Boston to Washington megaplex watch. ESPN cares about their ratings.
Exactly, which is why I think they don't want Simmons in the big dance, they want him in the little dance.
Wha? They've been boasting on him and pumping up LSU much higher than they should be. Are you saying there is a risk we don't make the NIT (w/o Simmons)? That would require a total collapse. But if LSU makes the NIT, I think they've earned that legitimately.
false. no one watches the NIT even if jordan in his prime was there. middle of week, in between ncaa games. no one cares at all. its like having a wnba game on. they want simmons on the big stage. RPI means a lot terry. gonna be close.
What good does it do ESPN if he is in the tourney? Now what good does it do ESPN if he is in the NIT?
No I'm saying ESPN would rather LSU be in the NIT than in the big dance because the NIT is aired on ESPN, and more people will watch if LSU is in the NIT. The big dance is on CBS. No one watches the NIT, and if LSU was in it I bet their ratings would double because of Simmons. Would they ever say this? No. That's why I wanted to know who is on the selection committee.
