COMMENTARY: On Matt’s Mind

March sadness

No one around campus was thrilled with
an appearance in the National Invitation
Tournament for the men’s basketball
team rather than an NCAA bid. With
that being said, the NIT was the task at
hand. The time to do the talking to the
NCAA-selection committee was in the
conference tournament, but that’s in the
past. An early loss in the NIT would be
detrimental. A mid-major just making a
NCAA Tournament appearance is an honor
and a win is a bonus.

VCU now must take its program to the
next level, meaning beating some of the
better schools in the tournament. The Rams
can’t “show up” and bow out early. To stay
on the forefront of rising mid-majors, three
wins and a trip to Madison Square Garden
for the NIT Final Four – tthat would’ve
been the minimum achievement for this
season to be a success after the way the
regular season went.

Also, as far as the Colonial Athletic Association
is concerned, VCU needed to win.
Last season, the Rams were the only CAA
team to pick up a postseason win of the
four that qualified. The league took a step
back this year with no at-large bid to the
NCAAs. The league needs marquee wins to
keep its high profile. Wins for VCU against
Virginia Tech, Mississippi and maybe more
would have been a big boost for the team.

The best way for teams to prove they
belonged in the NCAA Tournament is to
make a statement with the games they earn
elsewhere. Several teams had legitimate
NCAA claims, but the ones with a true
gripe rise to the occasion in the NIT.

Fans also can’t be discouraged. Everyone
loves the glory and appeal of an NCAA
appearance, but it is vital to support the
team with the same enthusiasm wherever
it plays-and the team deserves it.

Looming boycott nearly rocks Sox

The Boston Red Sox organization
executed a very classy move this week.
The players voted unanimously not to
play their season-opening series against
Oakland in Tokyo, because the coaches
would not receive a $40,000 stipend they
were promised for the trip. It’s important
to remember that the amount of money
wasn’t the issue at hand-the issue was
based on having an agreement in place
that was broken. The support the players
showed for the rest of staff was a nice
gesture, and those involved think the
boycott they threatened will end with
everyone getting paid and with the series
in Tokyo being played.