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Gobbler Guru
Joined: 11/02/1999
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 5,768
Gobbler Guru
Founder

The NIT decline is a symptom, not the cause, of the malaise in the program.

And the reactions to the decline- and the underwhelming season just completed- are very telling. From the AD down, and including a not insignificant portion of the fanbase (and this board), the reaction to yet another failed season and yet another self-inflicted wound is simply to shrug, to rationalize, to explain it away, and to continually promote the idea that mediocrity is as good as we can expect. And with that mentality, the expectation is (and has been for decades) self-fulfilling. VT should demand better and should pursue excellence in hoops aggressively. And that does NOT simply mean spending money. It means spending wisely and starting each season with the expectation and goal of at least making the big dance. And when that doesn't happen, year after year, it means being willing to make necessary changes and holding program leadership accountable.
Posted: 03/17/2026 at 06:24 PM ET
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)

Thread Replies (57)

Full Thread →
Been offline for a bit. Are people upset w/ the decision to forego the NIT?
Hokie Trainer • 03/16/26 04:38 PM ET
If it was 1995, sure **
VaTechHokiesACC • 03/18/26 03:35 AM ET
I 100% didn't care.
Snape • 03/17/26 03:14 PM ET
75% were angry. 18% didn't care and 7% agreed with the decision.**
BG Hokie • 03/16/26 06:34 PM ET
What polling service do you work for?**
ancient alien 2018 • 03/17/26 05:26 PM ET
Skeptical on the 75%.**
hok1eboy • 03/16/26 09:56 PM ET
You shouldn't be.
Chris ColemanAdmin • 03/17/26 09:41 AM ET
Thanks, I'm sure your math is correct...but maybe this board and your
hok1eboy • 03/19/26 01:07 AM ET
Just curious, what is the #1 most commented on article of all-time?**
HokieSA • 03/18/26 10:26 AM ET
Here are the top nine...
Chris ColemanAdmin • 03/18/26 11:05 AM ET
Numbers don't lie. People lie.**
HokieNL • 03/17/26 07:57 PM ET
I suspect outside of message board bubbles, most don't know or care.**
marcbvtgm • 03/17/26 09:54 AM ET
The opinion of people who are not aware doesn't matter, IMO.
MP4VT2004 • 03/17/26 10:42 PM ET
I have had 3 people from other school give me crap and laugh about it**
HOKIERIT • 03/17/26 11:17 AM ET
Maybe that says more about you than the NIT decision.**
ancient alien 2018 • 03/17/26 05:37 PM ET
Tell me, oh wise one, what exactly does that say about ME?**
HOKIERIT • 03/17/26 08:26 PM ET
No, that's not the case at all.
Chris ColemanAdmin • 03/17/26 09:59 AM ET
Wow, pulling a scholarship for not playing an NIT game?
hoosnowahokie • 03/17/26 01:42 PM ET
I'd say it's pretty rich for any of us to say it's "weak" for any donor...
MP4VT2004 • 03/17/26 03:45 PM ET
...IF you could get hold of anyone..**
HOKIERIT • 03/17/26 08:32 PM ET
Ouch.**
MP4VT2004 • 03/17/26 10:47 PM ET
Like I said in the article, it's not about the NIT.
Chris ColemanAdmin • 03/17/26 01:50 PM ET
There are some fans who will just NOT "get it"..no matter how often you ->
HOKIERIT • 03/17/26 08:30 PM ET
Not about the NIT? Would that donor have pulled the scholarship if VT
ancient alien 2018 • 03/17/26 05:36 PM ET
Agree
Hokie Sunshine • 03/17/26 10:32 AM ET
IMO this is not a Hokie BB problem or
GCHokieof91 • 03/17/26 01:52 PM ET
Pushing a rope can be futile**
TomTurkey • 03/17/26 10:34 AM ET
There's a blue pill for that.
Culpeper Hokie • 03/17/26 02:17 PM ET
I have a group of 6 or 7 buddies on a text chain where we talk VT sports
VT_Consul • 03/17/26 10:18 AM ET
I have a group of 7-8 buddies on a text chain where we talk VT sports
Foxhall Hokie • 03/17/26 11:25 AM ET
Of course not, but what's worth noting...
Chris ColemanAdmin • 03/17/26 10:34 AM ET
On this point
gatorhokie • 03/17/26 02:15 PM ET
I think it is also safe to say that TSL's subscribers skew on the older
VTDC • 03/17/26 11:02 AM ET
You may be right that the "old school" mentality isn't relevant anymore...
MP4VT2004 • 03/17/26 03:49 PM ET
Correct. But I never said "most" or "all" fans, did I?
Chris ColemanAdmin • 03/17/26 11:06 AM ET
That's a fair point, but in reading through them many rehash the same point
VTDC • 03/17/26 11:39 AM ET
Definitely this. **
Stork • 03/17/26 11:05 AM ET
Or Facebook *shudder***
TomTurkey • 03/17/26 10:36 AM ET
I think it's 20% each for denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and
KCHokie2 • 03/16/26 10:27 PM ET
That's a good way of putting it. Big difference between disagree and angry.
nvpbrown • 03/17/26 12:11 AM ET
I can't deny that my anger is turning into depression...
HokieNL • 03/16/26 10:44 PM ET
Yep, that's the NIT Decliner Math.
KCHokie2 • 03/16/26 08:03 PM ET
The 'Steiner Decliner' (finishing move)**
HokieNL • 03/16/26 09:02 PM ET
It looked dangerous. I might've opted out of that finish.
KCHokie2 • 03/16/26 09:35 PM ET
I think Hokie fans are getting numb from the failure of our biggest...
EDGEMAN • 03/16/26 05:15 PM ET
The NIT decline is a symptom, not the cause, of the malaise in the program. ◄
Gobbler Guru • 03/17/26 06:24 PM ET
Failure, was Stokes and Johnson. This, was not as good as hoped for.
HokieNL • 03/17/26 08:05 PM ET
Is it hokies getting numb from failure, or hokies failure to get numb from
hokienole • 03/16/26 10:56 PM ET
I got numb reading this post 😆**
HokieNL • 03/16/26 11:21 PM ET
I gave you a like. Then I read your last paragraph so I took it away. I'm
King of Hokies • 03/16/26 06:19 PM ET
Please delete, accidental duplicate post
HokieNL • 03/16/26 06:10 PM ET
We would have made the NIT, for the third time in four seasons
HokieNL • 03/16/26 06:09 PM ET
yep, the injuries killed us not getting the ball inbounds against Stanford**
Jethro Tull • 03/16/26 05:59 PM ET
I've seen worse inbounding. But only involving Danny DeVito.
KCHokie2 • 03/16/26 08:12 PM ET
Sounds like you've been offline and came back to pick at that scab.**
PhotoHokieNC • 03/16/26 05:08 PM ET
Oh, I don't know. Maybe if you are disappointed you take the shot is given
ModerateHokie • 03/16/26 05:03 PM ET
What about developing Dorn, Gurdak, and Davis. Another PG in case Hammond
HoakieBS • 03/16/26 04:46 PM ET
re-recruiting PG Trey Beamer from Martinsville and IMG.**
ancient alien 2018 • 03/16/26 06:09 PM ET