Gophers to host Maryland in NIT

Minnesota coach Tubby Smith sees the invitation as a chance for his team to gain valuable experience and build on recent success.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: March 17, 2008 - 1:31 AM

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Growing up in Scotland, Md., Tubby Smith wanted to play basketball for the University of Maryland. When the Terrapins offered him a scholarship, he thought he'd achieved his dream.

But Maryland rescinded its offer, and he wound up at High Point College in North Carolina. Almost 40 years later, Smith will have another chance to get a measure of personal revenge when Maryland plays Minnesota in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday night at Williams Arena.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't good enough," said Smith, who is 3-2 lifetime against Maryland. "But to be playing against Maryland, a school that I grew up watching, listening to and pulling for, I think it shows longevity. If you just last in this business, things like this will happen to you."

After an upset win over Indiana in the Big Ten tournament Friday, the Gophers started hoping they would get NCAA consideration. But a loss to Illinois Saturday sealed their fate.

Smith talked to reporters about Minnesota's upcoming NIT game while wearing a pair of fancy black shoes. But after a run of 14 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, he won't be going to the Big Dance this year. Instead, Smith will have his first experience in the NIT.

Minnesota (20-12) returns to the postseason for the first time since a 2006 NIT appearance. The team lost to Cincinnati in the second round that year. Smith hopes a strong NIT run will pay off for returning players.

"That would [allow us to] continue to grow on the way we've been playing lately, and we have been playing better over the last couple of weeks," he said. "And that would be something we could build on for the future."

Despite the disappointing loss to Illinois Saturday, Smith said the Gophers will be ready to play, especially since the team doesn't have to travel for the first time since playing its last regular-season home game against Ohio State on March 1.

Smith said this season's strong NIT field could be a sign that the NCAA might want to consider expanding the NCAA tournament field.

"It's some pretty solid, outstanding teams and coaches in this tournament," he said. "It's an increase of teams that could be playing in the NCAA [tourney]."

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