This question is partially TIC but still valid . . .
Had VT beaten WF on Tuesday, would they have forfeited the next game against Clemson? Their excuses for not continuing to play in the NIT were based on health, available players, and career development. All those issues were present had they continued in the ACC tournament, but I highly doubt they would have played that card then. It's obvious they pulled the plug when given the chance. A fan base expects the team they support to give at least a glimpse of "I give a ****" not fold like a house of cards. Otherwise, the fans move on.
21 Replies
4mo
coach and players.
Just quit. F 'em. I'm sooo glad I dropped my season tix 3 years ago. They sure haven't made me regret that decision!
(In response to this post by Woe_un2_thee)
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Squatro
4mo
It appears the team values doing well in the ACC and making the NCAA tournament. They don’t value being in the NIT.
Personally, I agree with that. Clearly, lots of our fans, maybe most of our fans, feel differently.
If they don’t see any value to the NIT, then they are just risking their health unnecessarily. I don’t think they have any obligation to play, they did not “sign up“ for it. Whereas, I think they did sign up to play the full schedule and the NCAA tournament, if possible.
For those of you who would like to see them in the NIT, I’m sure you are disappointed. I think we are all disappointed about how this season went, I think we all expected more.
But I don’t think anyone should be castigated for rejecting the NIT.
(In response to this post by Woe_un2_thee)
4mo
play in the NIT
(In response to this post by Squatro)
V
VPI_1998
4mo
automobile accident and injure myself - but I still go
(In response to this post by Squatro)
4mo
All the perks that the University and all alumni that donate time and money into the program … not themselves .. if they are in charge then it’s the administrations fault 🤕
(In response to this post by Squatro)
4mo
to be stated is what your values are going into the season. If the NIT is not valued due to risk or lack of interest, then declare your intentions at the outset of the season. Make a statement that NIL obligations and personal preferences supersede inclusion to other activities not label "NCAA Tournament" and be done with it. DO NOT allow fans to become hopeful for them to represent this university when, in fact, it is not something they did not "sign up for". Having the rug pulled out from underneath you is not a good look.
(In response to this post by Squatro)
4mo
...about representing VT. Virginia Tech simply gave them best opportunity this season to springboard to their next destination, whether that is another college team with a higher payroll, or a professional league.
(In response to this post by Woe_un2_thee)
4mo
Of all the things to critique, this seems minor.
(In response to this post by Woe_un2_thee)
4mo
(In response to this post by GoldCoast)
4mo
One of VT's best memories was the 1995 NIT Championship... it's a chance for the team to play in a tournament and win... at least in something.
(In response to this post by GoldCoast)
4mo
I want to play in the NCAAT first and foremost but if that isn't in the cards, then I want to play in the NIT, a tournament that has been very good to VT over the years. My favorite VT sports moment(s) was the '73 NIT championship, second favorite was the 2022 ACCT championship, followed by the '95 NIT championship and then the 1995 Sugar Bowl - so yeah, the NIT means a lot to me and I am far from the only VT fan who feels that way.
(In response to this post by GoldCoast)
4mo
So yes, the NIT means something.
(In response to this post by Lancelot Link)
4mo
I want to hear it when you're predicted 12th in an 18 team league. "We don't care, they're wrong, we're here to make the NCAA tournament."
I want to hear it when it takes overtime to beat the 3rd worst team in the Big East, the 3rd worst team in the SEC, and gd Elon at home.
I want to hear it after it takes surviving last-second 3 pt attempts by Colorado St and California.
I want to hear it after sleepwalking the last 2:45 of Stanford when you had a 13pt lead and the ball. And then again a week later after having a 4pt lead and the ball with 8s left in Dallas.
And most of all I want to hear about your 100% focus on making the NCAA tournament, how nothing else matters and anything short of that is total failure, after no-showing the 2H of the FSU game. That would really be the good stuff right there, boy. "We gave up about 30 straight points at home but rest assured this is an NCAA caliber roster fully locked in on our only goal for the season, preparing to secure our next bag, wait, I meant (stifling laughter) making the NCAA tournament."
Absolute first-rate bit these guys pulled this year, got to hand it to them for that.
(In response to this post by Woe_un2_thee)
4mo
...the ultimate responsibility for this fiasco lies with the athletic department and leadership of the MBB program.
If you build a roster of guys the majority of whom don't care about the past or future of the program and don't prioritize finding a way to (or don't know how to) create some of that "pride in the name on the front of the jersey" then you are engaged in leadership malpractice.
Spending basically the NIT-caliber maximum for guys who don't want to play in the NIT is some real genius stuff.
(In response to this post by Gobbler-100)
4mo
(In response to this post by Gobbler-100)
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Vippie1
4mo
fans to pony up more NIL dollars
One way or the other this decision should have been taken out of the players hands. Either let the AD make the call before or after the season regarding nit.
Not to mention that the team just made their coach appear completely feckless while (appearing to even if they didn't mean to) flipping the bird at their fanbase.
Just a bad look even if there is arguably a justification.
** Edited by Vippie1 at 3/14/2026, 9:44:17 AM
(In response to this post by Woe_un2_thee)