Creighton/Iowa

[ISUbballfan]

Creighton 59 Iowa 55 about 7:00 minutes left.

[ISUbballfan]

Creighton wins 70 to 64. Iowa annoucers siad all of Creighton's WNIT wins have been on the road.

[ChipperF1]

YEAH BABY!!!!!

First Orono, Then Loudonville, Then Iowa City!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Jim, Jen, Holly and the girls!!!

Lets put a banner in Vinardi Center!!! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[Bob_Ballew]

Don't they give a banner for runner up? http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[spooky]

You know they do, Zo. Remember 1998??
If Baylor can't do it, I'd love to see Creighton take it all the way.

[YCN]

So you people who are following the NIT, would you say that Creighton has a chance to win the whole thing?

I know it's not the same thing as being one of the teams in the 64-team NCAA tournament, but is it a real positive to win this thing?

[ChipperF1]

After seeing Creighton battle back against Siena, I really see that WNIT Champions banner for them. That would be great for the program.

Although they've had a darn good year already. Third best record in school history. Best attendance in a decade. People in Omaha paid attention to them and more people are coming out.

Even though they didn't reach the goals they set for themselves (NCAAs) this is a great ride and I hope it moves forward... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[ChipperF1]

"but is it a real positive to win this thing?

Winning is positive anytime. Look at the teams that are left.

Baylor is young and on the verge of really taking a step up and now those kids like Sophia Young or in a kill-or-be-killed situation. It can only make them better.

Same thing with Fresno State. They are a team that's building up for the next few years and hoping to get the NCAAs. This experience is a good stepping stone for them.

Creighton came into the season with expectations, they fought hard, won 20, but didn't get the money games in the MVC and didn't get the tourney bid, so they had a choice, fold or regroup.

They chose regroup and a team that doesn't lose much going into the next year is getting a chance to play, and get better.

And much of the same goes for Richmond, Auburn, Missouri, and Colorado State. All these teams were good enough to make The Show, but fell short. I think of of these teams are better than some of the teams that made the show.

To me, you can never play enough and never have enought chances to get better and win. A smart program takes the WNIT experience as looks at it as a chance to get better, a chance to get closer to get people ready, etc. Plus, you get to see a team that you don't get a good look at and play against.

For me, this was really positive. I love Creighton as much as I love Nebraska. At least with the Big 12's TV package I'll get to see them. Getting to see Creighton play is a very rare occurance. I got a chance to see them play close to me.

But past history shows for teams that take advantage the WNIT can pay dividends

The 1999 NCAA Tournament field included 7 teams that had been in the 1998 WNIT field, including WNIT Champ Penn State

The 2000 NCAA Tournament field included 8 teams that had been in the 1999 WNIT field. 1998 WNIT Champion Penn State made it to the Final Four in 2000.

The 2001 NCAA Tournament field featured 13 teams that had been in the 2000 WNIT field. The entire final four of the 2000 WNIT (Wisconsin, Florida, Colorado State, and Arkansas) made the NCAA Field of 64 in '01

The 2002 NCAA Tournament field featured 10 teams that had been in the 2001 WNIT. New Mexico, Mississippi State, BYU, Indiana, Santa Clara, FIU, Pepperdine, Temple, UWGB, Cincinnati.

The 2003 NCAA Tournament field featured 11 teams from the 2002 NIT.

Among Big 12 teams. Consider part of Oklahoma's rise to the Final Four charged through the WNIT IN 1999. In 2000 and 2001 OU made the Field of 64. In 2002, OU was in the Final Field of 2.
Missouri Sweet Sixteen of '01? It may have been born in the WNIT of '00.

Whether its a positive depends on the team, but it can be a positive if a team looks at it as another chance to get better.

[Row6Seat10]

An Omaha TV station said tonight that the Creighton Bluejay's have traveled over 4500 miles this last week. And will probably have to go on the road again. They play the winner of the Auburn/Richman match-up.

I went to Omaha a few times and watched them play this year and from what I saw I think they could beat either one of those two teams. But then they would most likely meet Baylor in the championship game and I don't see them getting by that one. I would sure like to see them play in Omaha at least once in this tournament though.