The PC thing to do would be to accept the NIT bid but I'd have more respect(and love for that matter) for UK if they said what everybody is truly feeling. Nobody wants to see UK in the NIT. Why hide it. Is it arrogant? Maybe. But looking at the possible makeup of next year's team there is no point to waste time on the 2012-13 UK Wildcats. That story and book is finished. Move on.

There are a lot of teams who may not gain anything from being in the NIT. I am sure we see plenty of teams who are in the NIT who have a bunch of seniors, but that does not mean they don't accept it since it does not help them for next year. Playing in the NIT can not hurt anything, now not playing in the NIT could hurt things. Shows the players that the university doesn't really care for them if they don't succeed, it shows that UK thinks they are bigger than the NIT and better than every other team who has taken the NIT invites. Paints a bad reputation for the university for doing that. There is no reason at all not to accept it, unless the players come out and say they don't want to play in it. That is the only possible scenario that there should be for turning it down.

 

 

UK is bigger than the NIT.

I feel the need to chime in hear regarding the players leaving. If any of these "fools" think they are good enough right now to play in the NBA then whomever is telling them so is a complete idiot. There is not one player on this years team (including Noel) that is ready to play in the NBA. Cauley-Stein is at least 2 years away, Poythress could not even play in the NBDL, Harrow needs 2 more years as he is a weakling. Goodwin would be the closest to ready IMO and he still has many issues with shot selection and ability to handle the basketball. This group could not even carry the bags of the last few one and done players that Cal has brought to Kentucky.

 

 

While I agree with your assessment about the players and their readiness I do have to ask you if you have seen and heard what they have said about this year's draft as well as the draft stock of the UK players? All four freshmen will be first round picks according to most mock drafts. Some even have Harrow getting drafted in round 2. This year's draft class is in the running for worst NBA draft class ever and that is what the 'experts' are saying. If I had connections to any of the freshmen I'd tell them to leave. What do they gain by staying? None of them would play next season. Noel would be the best candidate but with Marcus Lee and Dakari Johnson(and possibly Randle or Wiggins or both!!!!!) there simply isn't room at UK next year for anyone on this year's team. Polson may have to give his scholly back for a year. Especially if Hawkins gets a scholly offer. Wiltjer may be safe. There's no room for these dudes.

Call it day. Plenty of programs can benefit from the NIT experience, UK isn't one of those. If you strive to be the best why play in a pointless tournament? As a fan why would you want to endure any additional games after an SEC tournament loss? The goal is to be #1 not an afterthought.

Yes they should accept, since when did we become to mighty for the NIT??? To think we shouldn't is pathetic

Soooo UK isn't good enough for the NCAA tournament but they're better than the NIT? Don't think so.

 

Perception may be that they are better but the reality is thy are not.

 

Plus just because the freshmen are not inspired doesn't mean that should count for the whole roster.

 

 

Mays only had a few games left, Beckham had not had the career he had hoped for so if UK does fail to make the NCAA tournament I think Cal would let him play some in the NIT.

 

Those few players do not represent the entire makeup of the UK roster.

What does the NIT do for UK? I say nothing.

Play

UK is bigger than the NIT.

 

Not this season.

Not this season.

 

 

Every season. It isn't 1955 anymore. UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas and Indiana are all bigger than the NIT in my opinion. Could possibly add a few others but those 5 schools have no business in the NIT. UK with its high yearly turnover rate really doesn't belong in the NIT.

I see no reason why they would turn it down. Very classless if they do. If they turn it down they are basically saying they are better than the NIT in which they are not.

Took the words right out of my mouth. :thumb:

Every season. It isn't 1955 anymore. UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas and Indiana are all bigger than the NIT in my opinion. Could possibly add a few others but those 5 schools have no business in the NIT. UK with its high yearly turnover rate really doesn't belong in the NIT.

 

I agree, though something like probation would change things. But those five in most years should turn down the NIT. Call it classless, but UKs program gains nothing from the NIT, it probably suffers more because the Cats would get another horrible loss. The guys this year do not deserve another game after the SEC tourney, so give the spot to a team that would appreciate the opportunity.

 

Send the message that UK does not celebrate mediocrity and underachieving. Neither should Duke, Kansas, or UNC. Indiana obviously does with they way they've celebrated stuff the last 2 years.

UK is bigger than the NIT.

 

You are correct.

 

Why should we waste time watching a bunch of guys who dont get it and don't want to get it. Getting beat in the first game of the NIT just makes these guys look worse than what they already are.

 

I love UK more than any sport but those guys out there are not what I think of when I think of UK basketball. Team play, unified, unselfish, hustle, toughness. These guys this year are not those things.

Yes they should accept, since when did we become to mighty for the NIT??? To think we shouldn't is pathetic

When the Cats won about their fourth or fifth title. College basketball's alltime winningest team shouldn't do the NIT.

Soooo UK isn't good enough for the NCAA tournament but they're better than the NIT? Don't think so.

 

The team is clearly NIT level. However the program and the standard or excellence are not. I'm not for giving the selfishness on this team another chance or two to improve their draft stock. Goodwin, Poythress and Harrow are as Cal calls it "program-takers". They'll take the benefits of being at Kentucky while leaving nothing positive behind. Do not reward mediocrity and send a message to all future recruits.

Not sure why someone hasn't brought this up already.

 

If the players are disinterested, not going to be back, etc...

 

 

...why accept an NCAA bid? Why not just let the season end? Why give the selfish players a few more games to improve their NBA stock?