VU's Postseason Hopes

Today is the day we've been waiting for!  The day we find out if Valpo will make the field of 32 for the NIT tournament or if their late season slump will send them to the CBI (College Basketball Invitational).  Valpo wants a home game and I just don't see them getting any of the top four seeds in the NIT draw.  In fact, I don't see them getting picked for the NIT at all.  I think the more likely senario puts the Crusaders in the CBI tournament with teams like Northern Iowa, Weber St., St. Bonaventure, and Miami (Ohio). 

Valpo wants a home game.  They believe, and I do too, that they could make a run at the CBI championship.  According to this article from the Post Tribune, http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/4249289-452/lazerus-valpo-lobbying-to-be-nit-picked.html, it will cost Valpo $60,000 to host a CBI game.  I suppose a lot of that money goes to their opponent.  Valpo appears willing and able to pay that lofty sum to get their team on the right track.  Valpo averaged only 3,480 fans per home game.  I'm not sure what the ticket prices are for the CBI tournament, but if they are similar to that of the Horizon League touranment game that Valpo hosted it will be tough to cover the $60,000.  A long run in this tournament would certainly justify spending that extra money.

While this fan would rather see the Crusaders play in the more prestigous NIT event, I wouldn't mind seeing Cory Johnson, Howard Little, and Michael Rogers play in the ARC one last time if the Crusaders do enter the CBI.

Some other Horizon League teams waiting to see where their postseason will lead include Butler (NCAA), Milwaukee (NIT), Cleveland State (NIT), Detroit (CBI/CIT), and Wright State (CBI/CIT).