Of course the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team would rather be playing in the NCAA tournament.
Although not the sole reason, earning a spot in the 68-team field for March Madness was a primary purpose for putting together this transfer-heavy roster that made the Mocs one of the better mid-major programs in the country this season.
And while the 32-team National Invitation Tournament is considered a consolation prize — the Mocs’ berth came as a reward for winning the Southern Conference regular-season championship, and Plan B became Plan A when they lost in the league tournament semifinals, missing out on an automatic bid for the NCAA tourney — coach Dan Earl’s third UTC team is looking at the NIT as an opportunity.
Specifically, the Mocs see it as a chance to continue playing as a group that, while only together for the past nine months, has grown connected and galvanized a fan base.
It’s been a journey, but it sure looks like they’re having fun as long as they’re still playing.