‘This Is Trash’: Fans Stunned Following Penn State Hoops’ NIT Tournament Snub
Following its grueling 11-14 season, Penn State men’s basketball wasn’t invited to this year’s NIT Tournament.
In what was an up-and-down year, Jim Ferry’s squad finished out strong with back-to-back wins to end the regular season and posted a comeback win over Nebraska in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament before being eliminated by Wisconsin the next night.
The strong finish created some optimism that the squad may snag an invite to the annual NIT Tournament. However, the Nittany Lions missed out on the 16-team field this year.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour voiced her support for the team Sunday night, saying the NIT not selecting the Nittany Lions is a “big miss.”
So appreciative&proud of these young men&their hearts&minds, along w/ @CoachJimFerry and our entire staff! They gave @penn_state everything they had, every night! The NIT not selecting them is a big miss, but they will persevere. They are #Resilient! #WeAre #BetterTogether
— Sandy Barbour (@TheBarbour_Shop) March 15, 2021pic.twitter.com/glmEfyTPcm
Starting guard and team leader Jamari Wheeler isn’t too pleased with the decision, while Nittany Lion fans are showing their displeasure as well.
— Jamari Wheeler (@Jamariwheeler5) March 15, 2021
Myles Dread, who played a key role for this year’s team, appears to be taking the snub to heart.
— Myles Dread (@mylesd12_) March 15, 2021
Seth Lundy, on the other hand, appears to be moving forward with more motivation.
The Marathon Continues
— $eth (@sethlundy1) March 15, 2021
If you remember correctly (of course you do!), Penn State was primed to make the NCAA Tournament last season before the coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into, well, everything.
What happened the last two times the Nittany Lions made the NIT Tournament? They’ve won it! That’s right, Penn State took home titles in 2009 and 2018.
— Jeff Smith (@JeffSmithGBPack) March 15, 2021
— Kaleb Boyer (@KalebBoyerMI) March 15, 2021
Many think the Nittany Lions deserved a shot at the NIT due to their tough schedule and a strong finish to the season.
Thought for sure we had a decent run in store for the NIT!
— Tyberius Bishop (@Tyberius42) March 15, 2021
— jerod ford (@jrod2143) March 15, 2021
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