I think you just posted the power conference winners. Some of those teams were not bubble teams for the NCAAT. Ohio State in 2008 was 19-13. I can tell you that those South Carolina teams were not on the bubble. 15-13 in 2005, and 18-15 (6-10 in conference) in 2006. In 2003, St. John's was 16-13 (7-9 in conference). The NIT has actually been more exclusive in the last few years. Don't just assume.
hold on a minute. I see a lot of teams on that list that were most definitely NOT bubble teams.
Being a bubble team is somehow relevant?
The fact that a team didn't quite make the NCAA's puts them at some kind of disadvantage, and gives them an excuse or right to basically throw a game?
Sorry, but if a kid was given a scholarship to a major DI program, he has an obligation to represent it well no matter where he sports the jersey... like I said, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back.
And if your kids don't get up for a game in their own arena, regardless of opponent, something's wrong with them
AND their coach. That goes for any school and team.
Jimmy Dykes said during UK's loss that if UK's players can't get up for this game, if for no other reason than the name on the front of the jersey, they don't belong at UK anyway... and virtually every UK fan over at Rupp Rafters agreed wholeheartedly.
Honestly, players may even unknowingly or inadvertantly shoot themselves in the foot. Not caring about the game and not trying hard might come back to bite them.
Can you imagine a GM, coach, or scout pulling up video of this game in a future interview, and saying, "Doesn't look like you or your teammates tried very hard in this one. Is this the kind of commitment and work ethic we can expect if you played for our franchise?".
They don't always just look at a player's best games or his highlight vid; a lot of them like to see what a kid's made of by also looking at his worst games.