Groce wanted it written into his contract here at OHIO and at UI. Many of their fans are already lamenting the fact that the CIT or CBI may be beneath them but with 5 frosh just getting their legs.....I am not so sure. The CBI and the CIT were not beneath him and every time we are in this position there are those who conveniently forget many of those teams that participated did well the next year and benefitted from playing extra games/teambuilding and used that time effectively. I watched Iowa nad UVA in the NIT last year. .....those fanboards were melting down saying Big Dance or Nothing. Look where both of those teams are this year. Butler fueled a run off a CBI appearance that fans detested and resulted in 2 consecutive Final Fours. OTOH I am well aware of what can happen when you get the Bert and Ernie show that far supecedes any teachable moments. It depends on the coach and the vision from the top.  It certainly is not a money maker.....but if it means beating Marshall on their home court....I am always down for that.

Unfortunetly as the #1 seeds in the smaller conference tourneys start losing, they take up those 7 and 8 seeds.  I think it will be interesting to see if any MAC teams get left out this year (Similar to the year Hawkins melted down when we went to the CBI).  Assuming the #1 seed wins the tourney, would the CBI / CIT possibly take 5 teams from the MAC between them?