Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > March > 06 > Entry
Readers weigh in on UD-WSU-NIT
Really enjoyed these reactions to my “Audible” commentary in Thursday’s DDN. I proposed a Wright State-Dayton first-round matchup in the NIT.
FROM BRAD:
Great article.
WSU might not make the NIT, but has a shot at the CBI.
Dayton is still considered on the NCAA bubble by most experts. 3 more wins and they are probably in. 4 and they are a lock.
DDN’s desire for a Gem City Jam is fine. If WSU can keep their RPI below 100 for more than 2 years they might warrant a home and away in the near future, but look at the facts - UD’s scheduling strategy works. RPI still looming at 35. WSU is 74 in a league with 1 team with an rpi better than 74.
WSU has done a nice job in an average conference against mostly below average opponents. I like their coach, but what Dayton has done in the HIGHEST ranked non-BCS conference despite key injuries and sickness is amazing.
Take care.
FROM LARRY:
Hey Chick!
I agree! I’d love to see UD and WSU match up in the NIT, particularly since my daughter went to Xavier and we don’t care if UD makes the NCAA.
Hope all is well.
FROM KARI ANNA:
Don’t quit your day job.
Stick to the Bengals. You obviously know nothing about college basketball. You are such a Wright State homer (and I even graduated from WSU).
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: College hoops
Comments
By ms
March 6, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Way to light the fuse Chick…Nothing like hearing from all the fans on both sides…Of course UD fans chirp about having the better conference and their RPI…but when was the last NCAA dance they went to?? Playing a team that went to the tourney,,(like WSU has) is better than playing a team that has never been…If UD is so much better then why not play and shut WSU up?? We all know the reason why and it has nothing to do with RPI’s or strength of schedule….If you ask both teams players I guarantee they would welcome the game…it is the “suits” at UD that keep this game from happening…period…I for one hope The NIT committee makes them play…By RR
March 6, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Who won the last UD-WSU game and ended up with the Gem City Jam trophy?By Kevin
March 6, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
I think anyone who considers UD an NCAA tourny contender is foolish. A team that is going to finish third last in the A-10 should not make the big dance. The only reason they are still in the running is because of “big wins” over Louisville and Pitt. Give me a break. Most people don’t realize that when they played Louisville, Louisville was missing there best two players due to injuries. When they played Pitt, I believe one of Pitt’s best players, Mike Cook, was injured the game before and did not play and during the game two other Pitt stars went down. Anyone who argues for UD to be in the big dance is absolutely a fool. Everyone says if they had Chris Wright it would be a different story, which it may have been, but you can’t use what ifs to determine who gets in. What if Louisville would have had Padgett and the other stud that was hurt when they played UD; Louisville would have killed the Flyers and we wouldn’t even be talking about a possible at large bid. I am a UD and Wright State fan, as well as a huge fan of college basketball in general and there is no way either team belongs in the big dance without winning their conference tournaments.By JohnDayton
March 6, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
WSU gets what 2000 fans to a game? Who the eff cares if UD plays them. If WSU wants to play at UD every year, UD should consider it.By JohnDayton
March 6, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
WSU gets what 2000 fans to a game? Who the eff cares if UD plays them. If WSU wants to play at UD every year, UD should consider it.By ccshmucko
March 6, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
The reason that UD will not play WSU is that in order to do so, they would have to play a home and home series. Playing at WsU does nothing for UD. If they win, it is expected, and it does not help with strength of schedule or RPI. If they lose (they wouldn’t), it hurts them badly. It is a no win situation. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the Gem City Jam, but you need to look at it from both sides.By Brian
March 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
John you have obviously never been to a wsu game or paid any attention, which is what I would expect from a UD fan. This year and last WSU has averaged well over 5,000 per game, and most nights there were 7,000-plus in attendance. I do respect UD’s outstanding attendance over the years, but the college has been around a 100 years longer than WSU and has that many more alumni to fall back on. WSU has only been around since 67 and D-I since 87. When you take that into consideration, their accomplishments are that much more impressive. UD has nothing to gain by playing WSU. I get that. The Flyers lose it’s a big deal, and if they win, well, they were supposed to win, right? That shouldn’t matter. The Gem City Jam was great for the community and for charity. The UD ‘suits’ need to do what’s right and not be so afraid to step outside their little box.By Jim 5
March 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
This would be a great home-and-home for both teams. Wright State looks like they have found a great coach; UD looks like they are going to stay in a top conference. If only the trustees at Wright State had the foresight to build Nutter bigger.By ccshmucko
March 6, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
The problem with the Nutter Center is not it’s size. It holds 10,000 plus. It is a great “event” arena, but it is the worst place to watch basketball. Very cavernous and un-exciting atmosphere.By La Salle Grad
March 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
The thing that always amazes me is that people actually pay money to sit in that upper arena area. What a waste of money. Are you that desperate in Dayton for something to do?By Dave
March 6, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
If the Nutter Center holds 10,000, they must be young kids. Coach seating in an airliner is more roomy and comfortable.By 448 Kiefaber
March 6, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
“If only the trustees at Wright State had the foresight to build Nutter bigger” Why so they could have more seats sit empty? WSU has a tourney game and hardly draws a good high school size crowd.By Matt
March 6, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Could all the UD fans please read the date at the top of todays paper please. It is 2008, not 1967. Your program is no longer relevant on the national level. Your are a middle of the pack A-10 program. Your not Duke, North Carolina, or Kansas. Your not even close. That’s great that you average 12,000 fans when you’ve had over a hundred years of alumni to build a fan base. Wright State is forty-one years old(about thirty years younger than the average UD fan) so of course they can’t average 10,000 a game yet. There fans aren’t even old enough to retire yet. Honestly Wright State is much bigger than they should be at this stage of their athletic development. UD is the ugly sister of Xavier that the Dayton media doesn’t have the courage to tell them. You keep telling yourselves that somehow having a decent crowd and bashing Wright State or anyone who dares mention that you play them makes you some how better than you really are. It’s sad to be honest. Your irrelevant and nobody will tell you.By Ryan
March 6, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Are you serious dave…UD arena is a great arena but your more packed at a UD game then at a WSU game. Look at the stats. The Nutter holds 12000 and UD holds around 13500. Its not about the RPI or who gains with the series, its about bringing back a rivalry to the Miami Valley. Who cares about RPI or this and that. Don’t play two games against each other in one year just do a Home-Home series each year. Rather than UD going and playing some Mid-level Big East/ACC team (which they would lose) go and play WSU. Granted thats probably not going to help your (UD’s) RPI but WHO CARES, if your a good team and good enough to get in the Big Dance, you’ll get it. Just bring back the Gem City Dance for the fans and the students.By ar
March 6, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
UD won’t play WSU for the same reasons Ohio State won’t play any other in-state school. GUTLESS!!! UD needs to strap its jock on a little tighter and man-up.By ar
March 6, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
UD won’t play WSU for the same reason Ohio State won’t play any other in-state school. GUTLESS!!! UD needs to strap its jock on a little tighter and man-up.By Michael
March 6, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
This conversation and discussion could go on forever. The fact of the matter is that UD does have a great fan base. And it MAY hurt their RPI if they play WSU. But the past 5 years, WSU has had a better team than UD. And the problem isn’t that UD won’t play WSU, the problem is UD fan’s “holier than thou” attitude. UD is no better than WSU in academics, athletics, or anything else for that matter. They are both Division 1 schools and offer mostly the same classes and advantages. The only difference is that UD grads paid substantially more money for the same education you could get at WSU. This apparently entitles some fans of UD to have a “holier than thou” attitude. Graduates from WSU have the same degrees and jobs as those from UD—the difference is the $7,000-$10,000 a year WSU grads saved on going to Wright State. As far as the Gem city Jam goes, we should ALL be interested in bringing the game back. That game was very popular in the area, and was good for Dayton. Since they took that game away, Dayton has only been to the NCAA tournament 1 time, if that. Win your conference- that gets you in to the tournament. And whoever said the A-10 is strong is crazy. They will get one automatic bid in the tournament period. UD fans should come to the realization that this year WSU would dominate them.By Michael
March 6, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
This conversation and discussion could go on forever. The fact of the matter is that UD does have a great fan base. And it MAY hurt their RPI if they play WSU. But the past 5 years, WSU has had a better team than UD. And the problem isn’t that UD won’t play WSU, the problem is UD fan’s “holier than thou” attitude. UD is no better than WSU in academics, athletics, or anything else for that matter. They are both Division 1 schools and offer mostly the same classes and advantages. The only difference is that UD grads paid substantially more money for the same education you could get at WSU. This apparently entitles some fans of UD to have a “holier than thou” attitude. Graduates from WSU have the same degrees and jobs as those from UD—the difference is the $7,000-$10,000 a year WSU grads saved on going to Wright State. As far as the Gem city Jam goes, we should ALL be interested in bringing the game back. That game was very popular in the area, and was good for Dayton. Since they took that game away, Dayton has only been to the NCAA tournament 1 time, if that. Win your conference- that gets you in to the tournament. And whoever said the A-10 is strong is crazy. They will get one automatic bid in the tournament period. UD fans should come to the realization that this year WSU would dominate them.By Michael
March 6, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
This conversation and discussion could go on forever. The fact of the matter is that UD does have a great fan base. And it MAY hurt their RPI if they play WSU. But the past 5 years, WSU has had a better team than UD. And the problem isn’t that UD won’t play WSU, the problem is UD fan’s “holier than thou” attitude. UD is no better than WSU in academics, athletics, or anything else for that matter. They are both Division 1 schools and offer mostly the same classes and advantages. The only difference is that UD grads paid substantially more money for the same education you could get at WSU. This apparently entitles some fans of UD to have a “holier than thou” attitude. Graduates from WSU have the same degrees and jobs as those from UD—the difference is the $7,000-$10,000 a year WSU grads saved on going to Wright State. As far as the Gem city Jam goes, we should ALL be interested in bringing the game back. That game was very popular in the area, and was good for Dayton. Since they took that game away, Dayton has only been to the NCAA tournament 1 time, if that. Win your conference- that gets you in to the tournament. And whoever said the A-10 is strong is crazy. They will get one automatic bid in the tournament period. UD fans should come to the realization that this year WSU would dominate them.By Roberto
March 6, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Ruck the Faiders!By Dave
March 6, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Yes, Ryan, I am serious. I am not even 6’ tall, but I feel like I should take off my knees (as well as my shoulders) to fit in those dinky crap seats at the Nutter Center.By reggie98ud
March 6, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Seemd like Wrong State fans have a bit of an inferiority complex. To the complete idiot who thinks Wrong State has had a better team than UD for the past 5 years, PUT DOWN THE CRACK PIPE!! And true WSU grads work for the same companies as UD grads, they just work for the UD grads!! There is a significant difference between a diploma from WSU and UD. UD has a history and reputation for academic excellence. WSU is still trying to get beyond its commuter school status. The same thing goes for athletics. Why stop at basketball? Why won’t Wrong State play us in football? Oh, that’s right they don’t have the marbles to put a team on the field!!By nma
March 6, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Bottom line is neither team goes to the NCAA tournament unless they win their tournament. The Gem City Jam was great for Dayton—a city in desperate need of a few good things! Every other city with more than one D-1 team—has promoted their city game as a big event—and created excitement and energy for their city. Many years ago-UC and Xavier were not comparable teams—in fact UC won a National Championship—and Xavier was not in the Top 100—but the powers to be at both schools—and the city decided to make this an annual event—now it is the biggest game in Cincy each year! Both WSU and UD need to do what is right—create and promote an exciting game every year—just like in Cincy—and maybe the city would have an event to promote—and create a little excitement!!By texasfan
March 6, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
UD beat Pitt, Louisville, that’s the fact..the person who says you can’t say UD can’t what if if Wright wasn’t hurt must use the same what if logic saying Pitt and UofL were not at full strength, you can’t have it both ways. WSU draws nobody, the A-10 is a vastly superior as a conference top to bottom..UD can, and should be in the dance with 22 wins, no less or see ya NIT.By Dark
March 6, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
yawn Go Flyers!