NIT 2012 Semifinals: Why You Should Watch This Tournament

You can call the NIT tournament a lot of mean names.

The Consolation Tournament. Not the NCAA Tournament. The Not-Interesting Tournament.

The NIT tournament is generally regarded as "that tournament with all of those teams who weren't good enough for March Madness."

But I'm here to set the record straight.

Yes, the overall level of competition isn't nearly the same as the NCAA tournament.

I get that.

There are no Anthony Davises, Michael Kidd-Gilchrists, Thomas Robinsons or Jared Sullingers.

You don't generally have coaches with NCAA tournament records of over .700 participating in the NIT tournament.

But if you take the NIT tournament for what it is, you'd be surprised at the treasures you will find (note: I do not benefit in any way if more people decide to watch the NIT tournament. I am not part of some NIT tournament conspiracy).

So, here's my take on the tournament no one watches when they're watching that other tournament.

First of all, there are future pros in the NIT tournament.

Don't believe me? Watch the Washington Huskies.

They sport point guard Tony Wroten and guard/forward Terrence Ross, two potential first-round picks in the 2012 NBA draft. Ross has averaged 26.3 points on 51 percent shooting in three NIT games.

You also have teams gunning for the NCAA tournament next season.

You may call me crazy for saying this, given UMass hasn't reached the NCAA tournament since 1998, but, well, UMass is poised to return to the NCAA tournament next season.

The Minutemen have a leader in point guard Chaz Williams, not to mention a nice starting five that includes underclassmen Raphiael Putney and Jesse Morgan, as well as junior Terrell Vinson.

You add in a bench that includes freshman Maxie Esho and sophomore Javorn Farrell and you have a team that appears to be growing before our very eyes.

Did I mention the Minutemen erased a 17-point second-half deficit and came back to win against ultimate NCAA tournament snub Drexel in the quarterfinals?

Call the NIT tournament all the dirty names you want, but, when all is said and done, you are missing out on a whole lot.

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