Bears Snubbed from NCAA, NIT and 2012 MVC Tourney
FairCityNews.com | Mar 09, 2011 | Comments 0
Springfield, MO—Fans of Missouri State University basketball were dealt a crushing blow yesterday with the early announcement that their men’s team would not be extended an invitation to the NCAA, the NIT, nor next year’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. “We’re hoping to crush any existing hope in southwest Missouri right now,” said NCAA administering official, Efram Reelhard.
“I recognize that the Bears won 25 games, were the Missouri Valley Conference champs, and played deep into the MVC tournament however, even as we expand to 68 from 65 teams, I still don’t think they deserve a spot in the NCAA tournament,” continued Reelhard, “we honor tradition with the Big Dance and Missouri State has a long storied history of being screwed out of the tournament, I’m not going to be the one who breaks that tradition.”
MSU Bears fans accepted the news with mixed results. “I’m just glad they let us know now instead of dragging it out until selection Sunday,” said sophomore Les Webetempted. Others showed more outrage. “I believe we have played well enough to be recognized with an at-large bid. Hell, we were the most exciting team in college basketball—we always waited until the last minute to win any game,” said Morely Upzet.
Bears fans are pleading with local Sign Man Marty Prather to devise a clever message posted onto a poster board to send the selection committee a message. As of press time, the MSU Bears men’s team is planning a three-on-three tournament at The Courts to give fans one last chance to cheer on this 2011 team.
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