Why, in my mind, we need to make the NCAAT this year

[CommodoresAndCats]

Like many on this board, I did not expect the team to have that great of a shot at the tournament this season. 2017-18 was going to be "the year" and I told myself that making the NIT should be the tough but achievable goal for the team. But then these players dashed my expectations with major improvements across the board to my delight. Now the tournament seems like a realistic possibility and making the NIT would be, dare I say, a disappointment.

As I started to think more about the consequences of reaching or failing to reach the NCAAT, it became clear to me how important it is to make the tournament this year in terms of program growth and momentum. Going into this offseason, Collins will have open 5 scholarships to work with for the next recruiting cycle (assuming no new recruits join Gaines in the current class). In a sense, the next recruiting class will likely be the bedrock of the next major iteration in Collins recruits. Making the tournament, combined with the promise of a new stadium would result in an insane amount of recruiting momentum and help ensure the sustained success of the program.

In the case that the team does not make the tournament, however, Collins will not necessarily have that recruiting momentum. I can't anticipate how the programs and recruits would react to the team making the NIT, but it certainly would pale in comparison to the momentum built from making the tournament. Additionally, not making the tournament in the current season would only drum up the expectations (and pressure) for 2017-18 to be "the year". While the team would gain experience and get some key pieces back from injury, we also lose Lumpkin (who has been arguably the best player on the team this season) and Taphorn. Playing in Allstate Arena also greatly diminishes any home court advantage the team has enjoyed given how our fans didn't show up at the United Center. Not making the tournament in 2017-18 could be catastrophic for the program and it's better for the team not to have the pressure of being in that situation.

 

[NJCat]

Like many on this board, I did not expect the team to have that great of a shot at the tournament this season. 2017-18 was going to be "the year" and I told myself that making the NIT should be the tough but achievable goal for the team. But then these players dashed my expectations with major improvements across the board to my delight. Now the tournament seems like a realistic possibility and making the NIT would be, dare I say, a disappointment.

As I started to think more about the consequences of reaching or failing to reach the NCAAT, it became clear to me how important it is to make the tournament this year in terms of program growth and momentum. Going into this offseason, Collins will have open 5 scholarships to work with for the next recruiting cycle (assuming no new recruits join Gaines in the current class). In a sense, the next recruiting class will likely be the bedrock of the next major iteration in Collins recruits. Making the tournament, combined with the promise of a new stadium would result in an insane amount of recruiting momentum and help ensure the sustained success of the program.

In the case that the team does not make the tournament, however, Collins will not necessarily have that recruiting momentum. I can't anticipate how the programs and recruits would react to the team making the NIT, but it certainly would pale in comparison to the momentum built from making the tournament. Additionally, not making the tournament in the current season would only drum up the expectations (and pressure) for 2017-18 to be "the year". While the team would gain experience and get some key pieces back from injury, we also lose Lumpkin (who has been arguably the best player on the team this season) and Taphorn. Playing in Allstate Arena also greatly diminishes any home court advantage the team has enjoyed given how our fans didn't show up at the United Center. Not making the tournament in 2017-18 could be catastrophic for the program and it's better for the team not to have the pressure of being in that situation.

Not making the tournament would be disappointing, but not "catastrophic". Collins is establishing himself as a good coach and once WRA is refurbished he will finally have decent facilities to work with.

 

[TheC]

OK... let's do it then.

 

[NYPurpleFan]

My concern with so many people putting their eggs in the 2017-18 basket is how the impact of playing away from WR for the season is going to play out. Could less of a home environment cost us a game sometime, maybe two?

Hope not, but feel like it's a significant question.

 

[NJCat]

My concern with so many people putting their eggs in the 2017-18 basket is how the impact of playing away from WR for the season is going to play out. Could less of a home environment cost us a game sometime, maybe two?

Hope not, but feel like it's a significant question.

Probably won't matter in the OOC part of the schedule, since those games are sparsely attended even in WRA. Could go either way in the Big 10 games, opponents might not be "up" for games in a nearly empty cavernous building, or NU loses the raucous atmosphere for some of the top opponents.

 

[Hungry Jack]

The conference is weak this year. If we can get to 23 wins and beat some "name" teams in the B1G like MSU, Maryland, and Michigan, I think we can get it even if we lose to IU and Purdue. That said, we have 4 whacks at those two ranked teams, and I really hope we can score a top 20 win or two.

 

[CommodoresAndCats]

The conference is weak this year. If we can get to 23 wins and beat some "name" teams in the B1G like MSU, Maryland, and Michigan, I think we can get it even if we lose to IU and Purdue. That said, we have 4 whacks at those two ranked teams, and I really hope we can score a top 20 win or two.

Agreed, I think we have to go 10-8 at the very least to be on the bubble. Realistically need 11 or 12 and a win in the BTT to be a lock.

 

[Medill90]

I said before the start of the season that the Cats had a good chance of making the tournament this year, perhaps a better chance than next year.

Now, some of you will rightly say that Medill90 says that every year....when Swap transferred in....Collins' first year w Drew....etc., etc. You will compare me to a broken clock that has the right time twice a day.

I am not offended. And stand by the great wisdom contained in my predictions.

Right now NU has middling talent when compared to rest of the Big Ten. But they have experience.

Next year and the year after may see the Big Ten restored as the toughest conference.

The opportunity this year is rare. A very experienced, talented NU up against a whole bunch of Big Ten teams that are a year or more away from maturity. I worry about the second half of conference when some teams may really start to gel.

Making noise in the Big Ten and possibly winning more conference games than ever before....and making the tournament may be huge for recruiting as posted above.

You've got to take the opportunity when it presents itself.

 

[willycat]

Probably won't matter in the OOC part of the schedule, since those games are sparsely attended even in WRA. Could go either way in the Big 10 games, opponents might not be "up" for games in a nearly empty cavernous building, or NU loses the raucous atmosphere for some of the top opponents.

NU's home court advantage isn't really that much of a plus even at W-R. Thinking, actually hoping that the sparse turnout at the UC had a lot to do with the ticket prices, lack of advertisement and the weather. NU did pretty well when they played their home games at DePaul during the last McGaw Hall do over and also had good crowds for NIT games vs. ND and DePaul the last time they played in Rosemont.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

I can't wait to see what kind of recruits Collins gets this summer

 

[Smolmania]

NU's home court advantage isn't really that much of a plus even at W-R. Thinking, actually hoping that the sparse turnout at the UC had a lot to do with the ticket prices, lack of advertisement and the weather. NU did pretty well when they played their home games at DePaul during the last McGaw Hall do over and also had good crowds for NIT games vs. ND and DePaul the last time they played in Rosemont.

+1 on this post. The year at DePaul was awesome for a young alum living in Lincoln Park. I walked to the games and we kicked a lot of butt at home. Rosemont is a lot closer for me than Evanston... looking forward to next year's games, building on a tournament selection this year!

 

[willycat]

+1 on this post. The year at DePaul was awesome for a young alum living in Lincoln Park. I walked to the games and we kicked a lot of butt at home. Rosemont is a lot closer for me than Evanston... looking forward to next year's games, building on a tournament selection this year!

Rosemont is also easier for me to get to as well. The NIT games drew well, as they bused in lots of students and actually had the full band there, which totally drowned out DePaul's attempt to make noise.