NIT — Blessing in disguise for Tide?

[che boludo]

NIT — Blessing in disguise for Tide?

By Michael Casagrande
Staff Writer
March 27, 2011

TUSCALOOSA — A first-round NCAA loss or an NIT semifinal?

That was the debate among two fans in the Coleman Coliseum hallway Wednesday night. Alabama had just qualified for the latter, but the former is the measure of programs on the rise.

Taking a step back and looking big picture, the Crimson Tide program is best served playing for a title in New York. A Tuesday-night loss in Dayton on an obscure cable channel wouldn’t have created quite the momentum towards the next step in Anthony Grant’s master plan.

Strange as it may sound, the NIT is a blessing in disguise for Grant...

FULL STORY

I agree 100%.  The total rewards we will reap from this NIT final four run and the excitement that it is building for Bama Bball is much more important in helping CAG continue his successful building process than a 1- or 2- and done in the NCAAs.

[pmull]

The sting of not get a NCAA bid still hurts but there is no denying this NIT run has been good for our team and fun for the fans.

[BAMAWV]

Of those inside Coleman Coliseum for the Miami win, none was more important than a certain high school senior from Huntsville.

McDonald’s All-American Trevor Lacey is still considered a long-shot to play for the Tide, but his presence behind the Alabama bench certainly couldn’t hurt perception. The other 8,611 took note of his presence and chanted his name at halftime.

When the team triumphantly left the floor with a 79-64 win, a smiling Lacey followed. Away from the madness, Grant stole a few quiet moments talking to one of the nation’s biggest recruits.

That would never have happened if Alabama rushed off to Dayton for an opening-round game in the NCAA Tournament.

It sounds like sugar coating to say you are happy to be playing (in essence) for 68th place, but coupled with the extra practice time this has really worked well for the Tide.

[pmull]

Cecil Hurt had a good article about this same topic on Tide Sports.

Click here for link

[CrimsonCrusader]

Wouldn't it be nice to have basketball and footbal kickin' tail every year.

[BAMAWV]

Wouldn't it be nice to have basketball and footbal kickin' tail every year.

Anything to reduce the excruciating wait until we kick off in the fall. I wish they would televise more college baseball. RTR

[SUPERCOACH]

I agree totally.  Basketball is fun again.  Yippee!

[ricky023]

Agreed! RTR!

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