Wes Miller, Katrina Merriweather, Aziz Bandaogo Discuss upcoming NIT Tournament
Cincinnati men's and women's basketball head coaches Wes Miller and Katrina Merriweather were joined by Aziz Bandaogo Tuesday afternoon to take a look back at the regular season and Big 12 Tournament, while also looking ahead to the NIT that begins tonight.
Wes Miller's squad will open the NIT Wednesday night in a 9 pm tip-off against San Francisco in the first round inside Fifth Third Arena.
While missing the NCAA Tournament was disappointing, Miller told the media that the decision to continue playing was an easy one for him.
" I love coaching. I love coaching these guys in this locker room."
"I can't imagine having the opportunity to coach these guys and turning that down. I can't imagine the chance to coach a game at Cincinnati and turning that down."
Miller knows the NIT presents a unique opportunity for him, his team, and the Cincinnati program.
"It's not the NCAA Tournament but the NIT is a big deal. Having the chance to win a tournament, get a banner, get a ring, that's a big damn deal."
For Merriweather, making the NIT in the first year of a new staff, competing in a new league, is a step in the right direction.
"We're really proud that we were able to string together enough gains and enough wins to be in this position. "
Finishing 14-17 was not the outcome that Merriweather and her staff expected heading into the post season, but Merriweather and her staff gained valuable experience and can build off the momentum of a post season appearance.
"No matter what your experience is like, you just remember the last thing that happened and we knew this group hadn't experienced post season before."
Merriweather continued.
" The idea that we could get them to understand what it means when you play in the conference tournament that it's not your last game and that you can continue to practice and you can suit up and go to battle with your teammates again, it was a really big deal (to make the post season) for them."
The Bearcats received a first-round bye in the tournament and will play the winner of Purdue Fort Wayne (21-12) and Eastern Kentucky (22-11) in the second round. Date, time and location are TBD for the second round matchup.
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