Probably not NCAA Championshipbut the huge mistakes made by the governing body in the National Invitational (NIT) set a team apart.
NCAA and Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill informed South Alabama, the vice-chairman of the NCAA Championship Selection Committee, who were bidding for the late night of Sunday NIT.
But after an hour of doing so, head coach Richie Riley told al.com The invitation was cancelled, breaking his plan’s heart.
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Southern Alabama Jaguars head coach Richie Riley played against Mississippi Rebels’ CM’Tad’ Smith Stadium in the first half. (Petre Thomas/Imagn image)
“It’s not fair to our players,” Riley explained. “We have a team with Zero Zero. They’re a bunch of weak people and they hit their donkeys. Now I have to tell them they’re not in NIT. It’s just an absolute joke.”
for NCAA Championship Brackets, teams like West Virginia were shocked, they didn’t score goals, but they were also stuck in a bubble. Southern Alabama received an invitation and just tearing it apart is a worse pill.
West Virginia State Government Patrick Morrisey
Riley gave Al.com a detailed introduction to the situation, saying Gill and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt called him at 9:30 p.m. Sunday for invitations as UC Riverside is committed to participating in the College Basketball Invitational.
However, this commitment was achieved before UC Riverside extended its NIT invitation. As UC Riverside wants to join, the NCAA revoked Alabama and returned it to them.
Riley said he had told his players that they would be in the NIT.
South Alabama Jaguars head coach Richie Riley played against forward Barry Dunning Jr. (22) and guard John Broom (14) in the first half against Mississippi Rebels’ CM’Tad’Tad’Smith Stadium. (Petre Thomas-Imagn image)
“I said, ‘It’s 100% we’re right?’ They said, “Yes, I’m glad you were able to get in. ”
“…I told them, ‘I’m going to tell my guys.’ They were like, “Go on.” “So, I told the team (Gill and Gavitt) to call back, either at 10:45, at 11 o’clock. That’s unacceptable.”
NIT issued an apology statement to southern Alabama, saying they understand “the emotional impact of this confusion.” However, Riley heard nothing, calling the statement a “meaningless apology” On X.
“What they did to us last night was unforgivable!” Riley’s X post continued. “These guys shouldn’t get this in our locker room, and it’s sad that your correct idea is to copy and paste the apology!”
Southern Alabama head coach Richie Riley watched his team play against Alabama at the Coleman Coliseum. (Gary Cosby Jr./usa today)
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The Jaguars have a 21-11 record this season and tied for the Suns Belt Conference regular season title with Troy, James Madison and Arkansas. They will continue to lose 74-71 to Arkansas in the Suns Belt semifinals.
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