Big 12: NIT! NIT!
You can’t say Pat Knight is not a realist. His Texas Tech basketball team just beat Colorado 82-67, a nice victory considering the Buffs routed Tech 101-90 last Saturday and got off to a hot start Wednesday. So Tech’s remains alive for the dream of every also-ran in America: a hot run through a conference tournament and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Texas Tech coach Pat Knight yells to his team during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Colorado at the Big 12 Conference tournament on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Yet Knight wasn’t talking NCAAs. He was talking NIT. “Last year (in the Big 12 Tournament), we were playing for pride,” Knight said. “This year, we’re playing to get in the NIT.”
Tech raised its record to 17-14 and might be in line for the NIT, which has raised its standards for elite-conference teams. More than just a winning record is required.
“We needed this,” Knight said. “These kids deserve it. It’s a very good win for us.”
Tech had lost seven straight games; the Red Raiders were 16-7 on Feb. 12, with a 4-5 Big 12 record. But they staggered down the stretch, losing to Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Baylor again and Colorado.
“I think we should be in,” Knight said. “I know it’s been a tough three weeks, but we’re in the best league in America. For them to overlook us would be a shame.”
Knight said Tech didn’t change strategies for Colorado, despite playing the Buffs just four days ago. “I don’t like to bury my guys after losses,” he said of his team not following instructions at Colorado. “I don’t like calling out kids. Now that we won, I can call ‘em out.”
Now Tech gets No. 1-ranked Kansas, a mission that might explain why Knight is focusing on the NIT.
“It’s like comparing my won-loss record to my old man’s,” Knight said. Bobby Knight won 902 games as a college coach. Pat Knight’s record is 35-40.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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