Once-mighty Kentucky says it would play in NIT

[Iwinyourmoney]

Ooooh thanks Kentucky, I was so worried you wouldnt accept a NIT bid after you guys sucked this year. I can now sleep at night!!!

GAINESVILLE, Fla -- The three letters Kentucky fans would rather spit than say may soon be coming to fruition. And if the Wildcats' postseason disintegrates to the NIT -- a seemingly likely scenario after UK's 60-53 loss to Florida on Saturday -- Kentucky has told the NIT it would accept the invitation.

"We're still planning on making the NCAA tournament but if we don't, we told them on Friday we would play," athletic director Mitch Barnhart said.

Barnhart admitted he and the coaching staff thought hard about the decision. Kentucky has made the NCAA Tournament every year since 1992 and its 17 straight NCAA appearances is the third-longest active streak, behind only Arizona (24) and Kansas (19).

UK hasn't played in the NIT since 1979. At this point, with a four-game losing streak and an RPI in the 70s, it appears that is where the Wildcats are headed unless they can win the SEC tournament title in Tampa.

Considering the level of disappointment not making the NCAA tourney would bring, Barnhart wavered.

"We certainly don't want to be perceived as arrogant, but we also don't want to lower the standards of what is expected at Kentucky," Barnhart said.

If Kentucky ends up in the NIT and hosts a game, the first round will have to be played in Memorial Coliseum because of high school state playoffs scheduled for Rupp Arena.

Dana O'Neil covers college basketball for ESPN.com.

[2daBank]

[Seattle Slew]

They had no business making the NCAA's last year at 18-12.

[tullamore]

Onner, does Billy get one more year to get his act together and then he is out if they dont improve?

[unde0087]

Ya, this is a joke, its either that or you go home and stay home. Did they release this just to get Kentucky on ESPN? because no one cares

tullamore, it doesn't matter who they bring in, it is obvious that no big time recruits want to play for Kentucky anymore. This is turning into the situation Notre Dame has in football. The fans think they should be playing for championships but they need to realize this is 2009 not 1980.

[THEGREAT30]

Kentucky has a good chance to win SEC tourny, but I doubt if they can beat LSU in the second round.

[tullamore]

Ya, this is a joke, its either that or you go home and stay home. Did they release this just to get Kentucky on ESPN? because no one cares

tullamore, it doesn't matter who they bring in, it is obvious that no big time recruits want to play for Kentucky anymore. This is turning into the situation Notre Dame has in football. The fans think they should be playing for championships but they need to realize this is 2009 not 1980.

That a good point comparing them to ND, both living off the past, and both with alumni that think they still the best. I can see why a 18 year old football recruit wouldn't want to go to ND with the academics and religious presence, but I think if Kentucky had the right coach they could get recruits. Kentucky will be on tv, they have the facilities, and a great fan base.

[onthewhat]

guy is chucked

i think we are looking for a coach now

[WannabeWilly]

I hope you folks know more about gambling than you do UK basketball. I won't digress into a debate because it's not my school of choice, but that program is not Notre Dame. They have 2 draft choices on the roster as we speak. And it only takes 5 (not 11 x 2 x 2) to be an NCAA force.

Notre Dame has academic issues that prevent mass recruiting. Kentucky won't ever be accused of that.

[MeatMan73]

Kentucky has the worst ball security I've ever seen- they have been turning it over 22 to 25 times a game. They will not win the SEC tournament like that. Seen many dumb moves from those players - something never seen before in Lexington

[unde0087]

I hope you folks know more about gambling than you do UK basketball. I won't digress into a debate because it's not my school of choice, but that program is not Notre Dame. They have 2 draft choices on the roster as we speak. And it only takes 5 (not 11 x 2 x 2) to be an NCAA force.

Notre Dame has academic issues that prevent mass recruiting. Kentucky won't ever be accused of that.

Willy, I wasn't saying that Kentucky and Notre Dame are in the exact same position as far as why they aren't good, I was referring to the fact that both fans bases think they should be playing for championships every year when they have no chance with the lack of recruits. Both programs need to figure out that they aren't the programs they once were and give a coach more than 2 years to make some turn around. This notion that they are going to hire someone and then a year later they are going to be in the national championship is so stupid, but yet that is exactly what all the fans are thinking. So, they fire another coach, isn't it weird that these places can't get a top coach? No one wants the job.

[tullamore]

Willy, I wasn't saying that Kentucky and Notre Dame are in the exact same position as far as why they aren't good, I was referring to the fact that both fans bases think they should be playing for championships every year when they have no chance with the lack of recruits. Both programs need to figure out that they aren't the programs they once were and give a coach more than 2 years to make some turn around. This notion that they are going to hire someone and then a year later they are going to be in the national championship is so stupid, but yet that is exactly what all the fans are thinking. So, they fire another coach, isn't it weird that these places can't get a top coach? No one wants the job.

People dont want the Kentucky job because of the way Tubby Smith was forced out. He won a national title and then had a down year or two and was forced out. 2 years ago UConn didn't even make the tournament, no one was forcing Calhoun out of town.

[seaborneq]

Kentucky will get players. Great players. Now they need a great coach.

[NardVa]

I remember every body in Kentucky was happy when Tubby Smith left. But Tubby always got Kentucky 20 wins a a guaranteed spot in the NCAA tournament every year.