I went to bed Sunday night knowing that the Pitt Panthers didn't receive an invite to the NCAA tournament. I woke up yesterday morning assuming the Panthers were invited to the NIT tournament. If the NCAA tournament is the equivalent to a BCS game in college football, the NIT (National Invitation Tournament) is probably like the Gator or Sun Bowl--it's not a horrible way to end your season, especially if you win.
Well, if the NCAA tournament is like a BCS game, and the NIT is like the Gator Bowl, what is the CBI equal to?
I need to ask this now because the Panthers were actually denied a spot in the NIT (commonly referred to as the "Not Important Tournament" by discriminating fans whose teams actually get into the NCAA tournament), and instead, had to settle for an invite to the CBI tournament.
The CBI, or College Basketball Invitational, has been around for five years and is a 16-team tournament.
Pitt will play Wofford Wednesday night at the Peterson event center, and if they win, they'll get another home-game in the second round.
I guess, after 10-straight years of making the NCAA tournament, Pitt (17-16) still hasn't built-up enough cache to warrant an invite to the NIT.
Since the Panthers couldn't get into the 68-team NCAA field, or the consolation invitation to the 32-team NIT field, if they win the 16-team CBI tournament, will fans of opposing teams mock the Panthers next season by chanting "Number 101!"?
Oh, I get it. The CBI is like the BBVA Compass Bowl. As a fan of Pitt football, I can't believe I needed to write this whole blog just to figure out that comparison.
Gotcha!
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