Oregon head coach Ernie Kent, unlike some, is not NIT-picking about the flaws of the National Invitational Tournament. Oh, sure, like any coach, he would rather be in the NCAAs. However, Kent, using what he learned as an Oregon player in the NIT, understands what to do in New York.
This week, he plans to share that with his players.
His team is in New York for the NIT Final Four, which begins tonight as his 19-11 club faces fellow Pac-10 member, California (20-11), in the 7 p.m. semifinal. That will be followed by Clemson (19-14) against Xavier (24-10).
With no local teams in this NIT, the negative aspects, much like the anticipated empty seats, are easy targets. But Kent sent off a positive message at yesterday’s Midtown press conference.
The 44-year-old Kent, a veteran of three NIT New York trips as a player in the mid-’70s, brought his team across the country not just to play hoops. They are going to get some culture as well.
A trip to the Statue of Liberty is scheduled. Making it out to the theater is on the list. However, by no means is Kent perfect. His team was also going to go to a Nets game.
Culture?
“I’m not going to go there,” said Kent.
But his team is not just here to dunk. It is here to learn.
“It is extremely special,” Kent said about being back in New York.
Kent, an All-America selection out of Rockford (Ill.), owns New York ties through the Ducks. His roommate during his Oregon days was former Knick coach Stu Jackson and his coach was former Knick assistant Dick Harter.
Kent also mentioned the opportunity in terms of exposure the NIT gives his program. This was echoed by the other coaches as well yesterday.
“We are not treating the NIT as a consolation,” said California coach Ben Braun, whose team is just getting over the NCAA restraints from previous Bears coach Todd Bozeman. “Maybe the first day on tournament day, everybody thinks of the first day of the NIT as a consolation. [But] it is a very positive tournament.”
In the late game, the arguably best team still left, Xavier, will play. The Musketeers could have received an NCAA at-large bid, but were ignored. Last season, Skip Prosser’s team made the NCAA’s.
“The exposure is terrific,” Prosser said. “We’ve been blessed the last few years. Our national profile has probably gotten as large as it probably has ever been for Xavier. A chance to play in the media capital of the universe [should continue that.]”
Xavier’s opponent, Clemson, advanced to tonight’s Final Four, which is the furthest they have ever advanced in any post-season tournament. The Tigers made it to the quarterfinals of the ’86 and ’94 NIT and the NCAA’s in ’80.