Pop quiz: Can you name the NIT champion from last season?
Maybe at this point you've done some research, and maybe you know. But ultimately it comes down to this: the NIT is often forgettable for every team but the one that wins it.
For that team, however, it can really mean something.
For those of you who have forgotten any NIT coverage you stumbled upon last year, I'll tell you: Wichita State was the victor in a championship game over Alabama.
Both teams were solid picks for the NCAA tournament this season, and although they each lost in the first round, Alabama was given a No. 9 seed and Wichita State got all the way up to a No. 5 seed.
The rest of the world may joke that it's JUST the NIT, but the Gophers are really showing something here as they prepare for Thursday night's title game against Stanford (6 p.m., ESPN).
This is a team that struggled all year and is now making marked improvement. Stars have been born. An identity has been found. The opportunity to extend the season has meant breakout games, a change in how players have been viewed. If nothing else, these extra few games have meant hope for the team and for a fan base starving for something good.
And the Gophers could legitimately use this as a jumping off point for next year.
Ways the NIT has changed the outlook of this team:
• Rodney Williams has played like a star. This is what we've all been waiting for, and it's primarily happened in the postseason. If the season ended without an NIT berth, we wouldn't know this. But Williams has scored at least 18 points in five consecutive games, and that changes how we see him going into next year.
• Andre Hollins grew up. The freshman was playing well heading into the Big Ten tournament, but the opportunity to play in five extra contests has changed the game. This is more than one or two nice games for him. Minnesota knows it has a legitimate point guard and leader for next year.
• Other players have transformed. Andre Ingram was buried on the bench for much of the year, but in this tournament, the tide has turned – he looks like a legitimately good player. He's being aggressive; things are clicking. Elliott Eliason has shown he can be the Gophers starting center and be relied on to play 30 minutes. His fire hasn't diminished, and it's only made him stronger.
• This lineup looks great. And guess what? If Trevor Mbakwe doesn't come back -- though Mbakwe has said he is leaning toward accepting his extra season -- it might be your starting lineup for next year. We've gotten a hint to the future and we've been able to see these returning players perform in an efficient way. Having Mbakwe back, of course, would be one more positive.
• Tubby Smith's outlook has changed. A lot of teams came into this tournament clearly resenting the idea of the NIT. And Smith has gotten these guys to play – to really compete and care. The result is a whole lot more success for his team and a resume padding for Smith, who had been labeled "on the hot seat" by some near the end of the season.