Yes, you definitely goto the NIT. The data below provides all the reasoning that UK needs:

 

NCAA All-Time Wins as of March 2nd, 2008:

 

1. Kentucky - 1985

2. North Carolina - 1975

Wasn't it been expanded recently?

 

Yes, it had been pushed out to 40 teams back in 2002. When the NCAA took over the NIT in 2006, the field was reduced back to an even 32 teams.

North Carolina State won the 1974 title and was snubbed for the 1975 tournament despite a 22-6 record. They turned down the NIT invite.

 

Georgia Tech turrned down a bid to play in 1995. Louisville turned down a bid to play in 1987. Georgetown turned down a bid to play in 1992.

 

They are the only ones in recent memory.

 

If memory serves, didn't Maryland turn down the NCAA in '74?

 

Back then, only the Conference Champ made the NCAA (last year of that) and the Terps lost to the eventual Champs Wolfpack in 2 OT's. They had Tom McMillan, John Lucas and Len Elmore. I think Lefty declined the NIT invite because it was anti-climatic.

 

I think Norm Sloan and the Wolfpack felt the same way the next year when only 2 could go to the tourney and they were upset in the ACC tourney after tying Maryland for the ACC regular season. I think maybe UNC won the ACC tourney that year.

Correct.

 

UK has had worse teams than this one get in. Wasn't the '86 team with Sky Walker 18-12? They made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to Chris Mullins and St. John's.

 

That was '85, Hall's last year. They upset Washington (Deltef Shrempf and Chris Welp) and then UNLV before losing to the Redmen who had once been #1 and made the Final Four.

 

That was probably the best UK played all year was in that NCAA tourney.

 

UK was only descent I thought in '87 when they were something like 19-11 with an invite but lost to Ohio State in their first game.

 

If there was a difference then versus now it would be strength of schedule. Then, they had good wins and a strong SOS - now, they don't.

$$$ is a deciding factor in a lot of NCAA decisions.

 

Sad but very true. If it comes down to Ky making it over another team that is just as deserving it better be someone with a very good following. Ky fans will travel anywhere to watch the Cats play. They could place Ky in Greenland and UK would take a pretty good following. UK wins over Ga and win possibly 2 in the SEC tourney and they are going. IMO

The NIT is a 32-team tournament and the semifinals and finals are at Madison Square Garden. At most a school could host three games in the NIT.

 

Of course, I wasn't thinking. Still 1, 2, or 3 games would be a significant amount of money.

I would certainly hope so.

Sad but very true. If it comes down to Ky making it over another team that is just as deserving it better be someone with a very good following. Ky fans will travel anywhere to watch the Cats play. They could place Ky in Greenland and UK would take a pretty good following. UK wins over Ga and win possibly 2 in the SEC tourney and they are going. IMO

 

I don't want to go if this is the reason. I want them to go because they deserve to be in.

If money is not an issue and if the SEC doesn't force them to, UK should pass on the NIT invite.

 

Negative perception to top recuits "yippee I can go there and be in the NIT."

 

It will NOT help them for next season. Games don't help. Individual workouts are what will help for next season. Games simply allow them to keep making the same mistakes they've made for 30 games. Plus, it will still be the PP/Meeks show so next year's team will not benefit from that.

 

Playing WKU in an unfilled house screams "next."

Couldn't be more wrong...

Couldn't be more wrong...

 

I'm open to being wrong. However, your post certainly doesn't give me any reason or substance to believe that I am.

$$$ is a deciding factor in a lot of NCAA decisions.

 

Exactly and Kentucky fans travel with the best of them. I think that will have to go into consideration as well. It wouldn't matter if UK was playing a first round game in Jueneau (sp) Alaska, UK would still have a good crowd.