OT: Army could earn first ever NCAA bid?

[ArmyVet]

I know there are a few unaffiliated fans on this board so I apologize for a non BE post but it's not often - like, ever - that I've had a chance to enjoy success on the hardwood from the Cadets so I hope no one is offended that I take a little room here to acknowledge the success of Army basketball this season. Army beat Monmouth and could possibly reach the NCAAs for the first time in program history if the league tourney goes our way.

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- It's one of the unfortunate five, Army West Point men's basketball. The Black Knights' program is part of a jinxed group of original Division I teams (dating back to the 1940s) that has the infamous distinction of having never played an NCAA Tournament game. William & Mary, The Citadel, Northwestern and St. Francis (New York) are the other four.

This year, if injuries are staved, Army has the goods to make a real run at the NCAAs and win the Patriot League for the first time in program history. The Black Knights were picked fourth in the preseason but look as good as anyone in that conference right now. Their 132 ranking in KenPom is 53 spots better than Boston University, which is the second-highest rated team from that group. Army's also a senior-laden team that goes seven-deep on four-year guys, all of the starters being upperclassmen. At the mid-major level, that's a huge asset. From a personnel standpoint, Army has the strength and depth to match up with anyone in the Patriot League.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... id----ever

[DeltaV]

I heard that Northwestern is looking good too this year?

[stever20]

I heard that Northwestern is looking good too this year?

their OOC schedule was just as bad as Marquette was. played 1 team better than projected RPI 134- and lost that game.

[Jet915]

I heard that Northwestern is looking good too this year?

Paper tiger, their OOC was worse than Marquette and they just got curb stomped by Maryland....

[xusandy]

Only 5 original D1 schools have never made the dance? A very interesting factoid! Good luck to ALL of them, and may this be Army's year, friend.

[gosports1]

GO ARMY!

[Jet915]

GO NAVY!

[jaxalum]

I know there are a few unaffiliated fans on this board so I apologize for a non BE post but it's not often - like, ever - that I've had a chance to enjoy success on the hardwood from the Cadets so I hope no one is offended that I take a little room here to acknowledge the success of Army basketball this season. Army beat Monmouth and could possibly reach the NCAAs for the first time in program history if the league tourney goes our way.

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- It's one of the unfortunate five, Army West Point men's basketball. The Black Knights' program is part of a jinxed group of original Division I teams (dating back to the 1940s) that has the infamous distinction of having never played an NCAA Tournament game. William & Mary, The Citadel, Northwestern and St. Francis (New York) are the other four.

This year, if injuries are staved, Army has the goods to make a real run at the NCAAs and win the Patriot League for the first time in program history. The Black Knights were picked fourth in the preseason but look as good as anyone in that conference right now. Their 132 ranking in KenPom is 53 spots better than Boston University, which is the second-highest rated team from that group. Army's also a senior-laden team that goes seven-deep on four-year guys, all of the starters being upperclassmen. At the mid-major level, that's a huge asset. From a personnel standpoint, Army has the strength and depth to match up with anyone in the Patriot League.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... id----ever

First of all, thank you for your service.

That would be phenomenal if they made the tournament (or any of the other military academies for that matter). It's easy to forget that the young men and women attending these schools will potentially be sent into harms way almost immediately after they graduate. My brother was a Marine and Av-8 Harrier Jump Jet pilot that was involved in the last invasion of Iraq, and my father was a Huey gunship pilot (Marine) in Vietnam. I have more than a healthy respect for all things United States Military, but am of course partial to Leathernecks/Jarheads/Devil Dogs...Hu Rah! Semper Fi!

I would assume they would have to win the auto-bid? I will definitely be rooting for them, and you can bet that if they do garner a bid, they will have a huge home court advantage wherever they play.

[NovaBall]

Maybe there is hope for Rutgers?

[notkirkcameron]

That would be phenomenal if they made the tournament (or any of the other military academies for that matter).

For comparison's sake, the last service academy to make the NCAA Tournament was Air Force in 2006.

Navy last made the tournament in 1998.