NEW YORK “”mdash; The NCAA has a message for fans wanting to
enjoy a beer while soaking up the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison
Square Garden ““ wait outside. For the first time in the
event’s 20-year history, alcoholic beverages will not be sold
at the tournament, a direct result of the NCAA finalizing its
buyout of the NIT earlier this August. Speaking at the Marriot
Marquis in Times Square, NCAA President Myles Brand announced the
decision, as well as some other changes following from his
organization’s recent acquisition. The prohibition of alcohol
sales at this week’s games in Madison Square Garden ““
the subtlest yet most immediate change to take effect ““ is in
compliance with an NCAA policy prohibiting alcohol sales at
sanctioned events. “There’s no question it will have a
financial impact for us, but it’s the right thing to
do,” Brand said. “We decided to forfeit the
revenue.” Brand also announced the formation of a six-member
committee that will serve to analyze and improve the structure of
the NIT’s current preseason and postseason tournaments. The
committee, a group that includes former North Carolina coach Dean
Smith and former Purdue coach Gene Keady, will select the field of
40 teams for the NIT postseason, comprised of teams that did not
qualify for the 65-team NCAA Tournament. It will also establish
procedures in selecting teams to participate in the NIT Season
Tip-Off. Though there were rumors the NCAA’s acquiring of the
NIT would result in the dissolution of the latter, Brand was quick
to quell that notion Tuesday, indicating the NCAA has made a
long-term commitment to sustain and market the NIT. “We see
the NCAA Tournament and the NIT postseason as complementary, not
competitors,” Brand said. “We’re not in any way
going to diminish the NCAA Tournament, but we see a growing
presence and need for the postseason NIT. It’s still a
wonderful way to end a great season. We expect it to be highly
competitive, and we’ll make sure it receives the marketing
and attention it deserves.”
FEAR FACTOR: There’s one team in the field of four at
Madison Square Garden that Memphis coach John Calipari does not
want to face. “We do not want to play Drexel,” Calipari
said. That statement was not made in fear, but instead in
friendship. The Dragons’ coach, James “Bruiser”
Flint, worked as an assistant coach under Calipari for seven years
at the University of Massachusetts.
INJURY UPDATE: Howland said he expects UCLA freshman Alfred
Aboya, who had a left knee arthroscopic procedure on Oct. 12, to be
able to return to the court some time in the next two weeks. Aboya
is scheduled to begin practicing with the team Monday. … Bruin
sophomore Josh Shipp, who had right hip surgery on Sept. 28, is
about a month away from returning to the court, pitting his return
at the start of the Pac-10 season.