Associate Head Coach Matt Graves
(St. Louis, MO) – Seven days of waiting came to a disappointing end Sunday night. Sadly, it’s the NIT for Indiana State. Despite 28 wins, a National Evaluation Tool rating of 29, the Sycamores will be playing in the National Invitation Tournament.
The Sycamores are one of the highest performing offensive teams nationally and placed all five their starters on Missouri Valley Conference all-conference teams, but ‘bid stealers’ doomed the Sycamores.
A series of upset victories in ‘money conferences’ ruined the Syacamores’ chances. Deep tournament runs by North Carolina Stat and others were the final nails in the ISU March Madness coffin.
Participating in the NIT has become the consolation prize for deserving teams, but with its departure from final round games being played in New York’s Madison Square Garden, the NIT is just another ‘three-letter’ tournament.
Associate Head Coach Matthew Graves says he’s sad for the players and fans, but is glad the Sycamores will continue their season in the NIT.
“We ultimately feel the worst for our players and fans,” said Graves. “This team is still alive and you get a chance to play more game with your teammates”
The team held a semi-private ‘watch party’ during Sunday’s March Madness bracket reveal television shows.
Indiana State will host SMU on Wednesday night. As a number one seed the Sycamores will play only home games until they get to the finals played at Hinkle Field House in Indianapolis. All NIT games can be seen on the ESPN family of networks.
Graves Gives Us Insights
We met with Graves after the team activities broke up. You can hear that entire conversation on Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts.
Current Valley teams have won fifty of 101 NIT games. Indiana State is 1-4 and made back-to-back NIT appearances in 2013 and 2014. Bradley is the Valley’s only current member to win the NIT title. The Braves have claimed titles in 1957, 1960, 1964 and 1982. Former members Wichita State (2011), Tulsa (1981) and Saint Louis (1948) were NIT champions.
Missouri Valley member Bradley is in the NIT. The Braves will host former Valley member Loyola Chicago on Wednesday. If each MVC team continues to advance, they would meet in the NIT’s elite eight.
Drake is headed to ‘the big dance’ and Evansville to the CBI. We spoke with Drake’s Darian DeVries Sunday night.
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