Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

oskidunker said:

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Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

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Cal is 13th in the ACC, #125 overall, in the NET Rankings. Depending on how many make the NCAA Tournament, it will take a few teams above us not accepting the Crown or the NIT bids for us to get one.

Thanks for the dose of realism

3 Utah players are entering the portal.will be interestingbto see if they decline the bid now. It starts.

Players should be able to transfer into teams who made the tournament immediately. People demand the best.

calumnus said:

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oskidunker said:

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Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

---

Cal is 13th in the ACC, #125 overall, in the NET Rankings. Depending on how many make the NCAA Tournament, it will take a few teams above us not accepting the Crown or the NIT bids for us to get one.

---

So what are the average number of teams that don't accept bids each year. I would assume the over/under has to be about 3.

CALiforniALUM said:

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calumnus said:

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oskidunker said:

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Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

---

Cal is 13th in the ACC, #125 overall, in the NET Rankings. Depending on how many make the NCAA Tournament, it will take a few teams above us not accepting the Crown or the NIT bids for us to get one.

---

So what are the average number of teams that don't accept bids each year. I would assume the over/under has to be about 3.

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Iowa and Rutgers have already said no. There will be plenty declining. BASKETBALL
UW men expected to decline NIT invite if extended, sources say

14 teams declined last year b

barsad said:

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oskidunker said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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calumnus said:

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oskidunker said:

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Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

---

Cal is 13th in the ACC, #125 overall, in the NET Rankings. Depending on how many make the NCAA Tournament, it will take a few teams above us not accepting the Crown or the NIT bids for us to get one.

---

So what are the average number of teams that don't accept bids each year. I would assume the over/under has to be about 3.

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Iowa and Rutgers have already said no. There will be plenty declining. BASKETBALL
UW men expected to decline NIT invite if extended, sources say

14 teams declined last year b

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Groucho Marx: "I wouldn't want to belong to a club that would have me as a member."
There's a reason teams are declining, you don't accept an invite to a Dance none of the popular kids want to attend.

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Teams are declining due to coaching changes,injuries and star players transferring .it has nothing to do with teams whos players are staying. They are paying players $10,000 each. So what you are sayingnis the players on teams where no one is leaving would rather give up $10,000 than play in this tournament?

oskidunker said:

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barsad said:

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oskidunker said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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calumnus said:

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oskidunker said:

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Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

---

Cal is 13th in the ACC, #125 overall, in the NET Rankings. Depending on how many make the NCAA Tournament, it will take a few teams above us not accepting the Crown or the NIT bids for us to get one.

---

So what are the average number of teams that don't accept bids each year. I would assume the over/under has to be about 3.

---

Iowa and Rutgers have already said no. There will be plenty declining. BASKETBALL
UW men expected to decline NIT invite if extended, sources say

14 teams declined last year b

---

Groucho Marx: "I wouldn't want to belong to a club that would have me as a member."
There's a reason teams are declining, you don't accept an invite to a Dance none of the popular kids want to attend.

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Teams are declining due to coaching changes,injuries and star players transferring .it has nothing to do with teams whos players are staying. They are paying players $10,000 each. So what you are sayingnis the players on teams where no one is leaving would rather give up $10,000 than play in this tournament?

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I'm saying we should decline, too, for all the reasons stated earlier (no stakes, little recruiting value (esp if we tank in the 1st round, it's negative recruiting value), injuries, wasted portal time, etc)
Pay-for-play only makes this more of a blatant commercial sponsorship operation vs a real contest of top teams. I get that it's a nice little bonus for players, just not worth it IMHO.

A smart marketing person would figure out how to stick a week in between conf tourney week and March Madness, then have the winners of sub tourneys like Crown and NIT decide who the last 4 teams in the tournament are. Like the First Four games but you have 32 teams involved competing for 4 spots to the Dance. Like a super Wild Card competition. Now THAT's something I would care about, and then Cal would definitely participate (every team in slots 61-93 would, why would you pass on a chance to be in March Madness?)

oskidunker said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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calumnus said:

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oskidunker said:

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Asu has accepted a bid. Utah is next. . I expect Cal to announce soon. Who's going to Las Vegas?

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/13/utah-hints-accepting-postseason/

---

Cal is 13th in the ACC, #125 overall, in the NET Rankings. Depending on how many make the NCAA Tournament, it will take a few teams above us not accepting the Crown or the NIT bids for us to get one.

---

So what are the average number of teams that don't accept bids each year. I would assume the over/under has to be about 3.

---

Iowa and Rutgers have already said no. There will be plenty declining. BASKETBALL
UW men expected to decline NIT invite if extended, sources say

14 teams declined last year b

---

Lots of reasons to decline. These teams that did not make the NCAA tourney will want to spend time trying to upgrade their rosters and possibly change staff. There is also a cost of playing and the NIT lacks the prestige so many P4 teams may decline simply due to cost. Mid majors are more likely to accept.

With the transfer portal opening on 3/24 teams are working hard to keep the players they want and scour the portal for players that can help. Tampering is in full swing and a lot of the better players likely opt out.

Given how many teams are declining I expect an expansion of the NCAA tournament. It has been a discussion point. If it were to expand a couple more ACC teams would have gotten in this year. Wake, SMU for sure.

It may help if the transfer portal is moved to after the elite 8 weekend. But really for teams close to NCAA tournament quality roster retention and portal tranfsers in are more important than a tournament that provides no real prestige and risks injury.

Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

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Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

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I think you are putting the cart before the horse. My guess is that the teams that declined realized that most of their starters were not going to play in the NIT and that the negative impact of fielding a bench team was enough to stay home.

The effort to improve their rosters is related - but I think their rosters were depleted BEFORE any NIT invite came.

oskidunker said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

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Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

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Hard to figure out how it went down. Did we not get invited or did we decline?

https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/college-basketball-crown

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

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Well there are at least 5. Ole Miss, St Johns, Memphis, Oklahoma and UCLA.

Ole Miss adds. Sean Pedulla (leads in scoring, assists and steals) Malik Dia (leading rebounder)

St Johns adds. Kadary Richmond (assists leader, steals leader and 3rd leading scorer) Deivon Smith (Former Utah G that was 4th leading scorer) Aaron Smith (5th leading scorer).

Memphis adds. PJ Haggerty (leading scorer 21.8ppg 2md in AAC, leader in assists and steals as well) DAin Dainja (leading rebounder and 2nd leading scorer) Tyrese Hunter (3rd leading scorer)Colby Rogers (4th leading scorer)

Oklahoma adds. Duke Miles (3rd leading scorer, Brian Goodine (4th leading scorer, Kobe Elvis (5th leading scorer)

UCLA adds. Tyler Bilodeau (leading scorer), Kobe Johnson (leading rebounder and in steals) Eric Dailey Jr (2nd leading scorer) Skyy Clark (4th leading scorer).

There are probably others. Interesting to note that Wake Forest declined an NIT bid this year. played in the NIT last season. They lost in round 2 to Georgia.

Of course the transfer portal and coaching change made a huge difference at Louisville. Last year they were awful. This year they were a big turnaround. Now in the NCAA tournament.

oskidunker said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

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Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

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Only if the transfers are Wilkinson and or Stojakovic. There are some guys I think the staff wants to leave.

KoreAmBear said:

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oskidunker said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

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Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

---

Hard to figure out how it went down. Did we not get invited or did we decline?

https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/college-basketball-crown

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ASU, Colorado, DePaul, Butler - based solely on W/L seem to be in Cal's range (everyone else seemed to do better). I'm guessing that each of those schools may be more attractive than Cal to be invited - so wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal did not even get an invite.

But for all the reasons on this thread and many others, I also wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal DID get invited and turned it down. Either way, I am also curious to know if we did or didn't.

And the same W/L cursory review of the NIT bracket indicates that those teams were more attractive than the CROWN.

BeachedBear said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

---

I think you are putting the cart before the horse. My guess is that the teams that declined realized that most of their starters were not going to play in the NIT and that the negative impact of fielding a bench team was enough to stay home.

The effort to improve their rosters is related - but I think their rosters were depleted BEFORE any NIT invite came.

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Well it is likely multi faceted. The staff telling some players they are not likely to play much next season. Some players trying for a bigger role and bag elsewhere. And the staff looking for players that can lead to more wins.

Portal comings and goings at non NCAA tournament level teams is generally robust.

And we know the declining of the NIT bid actually made a difference for these programs? It's possible that Wake Forest declined this time simply because Forbes is embarrassed that he hasn't gotten them into the tournament for 5 years running now. This was surely going to be the year! He needs to show he's above going to the NIT at this point.

Or it could simply be that the Crown has a deal with the Big East and Big 12 while the NIT has a deal with the ACC. The NIT was probably our only shot.

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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And we know the declining of the NIT bid actually made a difference for these programs? It's possible that Wake Forest declined this time simply because Forbes is embarrassed that he hasn't gotten them into the tournament for 5 years running now. This was surely going to be the year! He needs to show he's above going to the NIT at this point.

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Hard to say for sure. But you asked for examples. I provided a few. Numerous programs are declining bids to the NIT so perhaps they see a benefit to devoting some extra time to the portal. College coaches are notorius copy cats.

But the number of new players that impacted those teams that did decline an invite is noteworthy IMO. Would those players have come anyway? I suppose.

Forbes may be embarrased. He may also be angry. He may also have a bunch of players that are entering the portal and do not want to risk injury. Any number of things could be in play.

But when top coaches like Rick Pitino, Chris Beard, Penny Hardaway and Mick Cronin decide to skip the NIT and then make the tourney the following year with a good amount of new impact guys I think it will get some coaches attention.

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Or it could simply be that the Crown has a deal with the Big East and Big 12 while the NIT has a deal with the ACC. The NIT was probably our only shot.

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Well Crown will be on Fox. Fox has deals with the B1G, Big 12 and Big East. So there is that.

BeachedBear said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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oskidunker said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

---

Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

---

Hard to figure out how it went down. Did we not get invited or did we decline?

https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/college-basketball-crown

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ASU, Colorado, DePaul, Butler - based solely on W/L seem to be in Cal's range (everyone else seemed to do better). I'm guessing that each of those schools may be more attractive than Cal to be invited - so wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal did not even get an invite.

But for all the reasons on this thread and many others, I also wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal DID get invited and turned it down. Either way, I am also curious to know if we did or didn't.

And the same W/L cursory review of the NIT bracket indicates that those teams were more attractive than the CROWN.

---

I think Fox teams are more likely to get an invite over ESPN teams

Someone ought to explain this to Kyle Smith, Andy Enfield, and Damon Stoudamire. The coaches you mentioned have enormous egos. Doesn't surprise me in the least that they would decline for that reason alone.

6956bear said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Or it could simply be that the Crown has a deal with the Big East and Big 12 while the NIT has a deal with the ACC. The NIT was probably our only shot.

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Well Crown will be on Fox. Fox has deals with the B1G, Big 12 and Big East. So there is that.

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Correct. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6209797/2025/03/17/college-basketball-crown-tournament-bracket-faq/

Quote:

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Officially announced last April, the Crown is a collaboration between Fox Sports and AEG that features automatic bids from the Big 12, Big East and Big Ten conferences, all of which have television agreements with Fox. The three conferences each received two automatic bids, given to the top two teams that did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament and based on advanced metrics such as the NET. The other 10 bids are at-large spots chosen by the Crown's selection committee.

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Amusingly, the crownies are not even certain that all of their invited teams will be able to participate...

Quote:

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Participation questions could still linger. The transfer portal window for men's basketball opens on March 24, a week before the Crown tips off. A source familiar with the tournament's stipulations for participating teams told The Athletic that rosters would need a minimum of seven scholarship players available. But it's possible teams that accepted invites could struggle to meet the minimum by the time the tournament begins. It's unclear if there are alternate programs on standby.

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BearSD said:

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6956bear said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Or it could simply be that the Crown has a deal with the Big East and Big 12 while the NIT has a deal with the ACC. The NIT was probably our only shot.

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Well Crown will be on Fox. Fox has deals with the B1G, Big 12 and Big East. So there is that.

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Correct. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6209797/2025/03/17/college-basketball-crown-tournament-bracket-faq/

Quote:

---

Officially announced last April, the Crown is a collaboration between Fox Sports and AEG that features automatic bids from the Big 12, Big East and Big Ten conferences, all of which have television agreements with Fox. The three conferences each received two automatic bids, given to the top two teams that did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament and based on advanced metrics such as the NET. The other 10 bids are at-large spots chosen by the Crown's selection committee.

---

Amusingly, the crownies are not even certain that all of their invited teams will be able to participate...

Quote:

---

Participation questions could still linger. The transfer portal window for men's basketball opens on March 24, a week before the Crown tips off. A source familiar with the tournament's stipulations for participating teams told The Athletic that rosters would need a minimum of seven scholarship players available. But it's possible teams that accepted invites could struggle to meet the minimum by the time the tournament begins. It's unclear if there are alternate programs on standby.

---

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A dim light in the distance?

That light has faded, no Crown for us
https://bearinsider.com/forums/3/topics/126453/replies/2477747

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Thanks for the dose of realism

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BeachedBear said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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oskidunker said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

---

Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

---

Hard to figure out how it went down. Did we not get invited or did we decline?

https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/college-basketball-crown

---

ASU, Colorado, DePaul, Butler - based solely on W/L seem to be in Cal's range (everyone else seemed to do better). I'm guessing that each of those schools may be more attractive than Cal to be invited - so wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal did not even get an invite.

But for all the reasons on this thread and many others, I also wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal DID get invited and turned it down. Either way, I am also curious to know if we did or didn't.

And the same W/L cursory review of the NIT bracket indicates that those teams were more attractive than the CROWN.

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Well no huge loss. Onto WBB. Then watch a little Cal baseball/softball and get hang on until Cal football.

HoopDreams said:

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BeachedBear said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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oskidunker said:

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Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Out of the teams that declined an invitation to the NIT last year, can you name any that capitalized by improving their rosters and getting into the Big Dance this year?

---

Colorado in the Crown at 14-20. Cal not in. Bad omen for possible transfers out.

---

Hard to figure out how it went down. Did we not get invited or did we decline?

https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/college-basketball-crown

---

ASU, Colorado, DePaul, Butler - based solely on W/L seem to be in Cal's range (everyone else seemed to do better). I'm guessing that each of those schools may be more attractive than Cal to be invited - so wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal did not even get an invite.

But for all the reasons on this thread and many others, I also wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cal DID get invited and turned it down. Either way, I am also curious to know if we did or didn't.

And the same W/L cursory review of the NIT bracket indicates that those teams were more attractive than the CROWN.

---

I think Fox teams are more likely to get an invite over ESPN teams

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The Crown's website does not try to hide it:

" The College Basketball Crown is a new 16-team, single-elimination postseason tournament featuring teams from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East conferences, along with additional at-large participants."

oskidunker said:

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Oregon State is 20-12 and did not make the ncaas. Thats what being in a minor league does.i dont think they were even mentioned in the last 8 out. So we could be Oregon astate and still be screwed with a decent record

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Oregon State is #85 on Ken Pom, 20-13 Stanford is #82. A better example is 23-10 SMU, #47 in Ken Pom getting left out. Or 24-10 Boise State, #50.

North Carolina at 22-13, #33 in Ken Pom and a blue blood was reportedly the last in.

Love it!