Re-visiting the Techsters NIT decision

Lady Techsters coach Chris Long is taking some heat for his decision to skip playing in the Women's NIT.

While there are some justifiable reasons why the team should have continued playing, there are also some reasons why they should have just called it a season. The biggest reason of all for the Techsters' lack of success this season was a lack of both team chemistry and leadership. Sophomore guard Quantae Thomas was released from the team midway through the season for causing a disruption.

Then, in the WAC Tournament loss to New Mexico State, senior Shan Moore took herself out of the game in the closing moments, although the team still had a chance to win. What prompted that decision is anyone's guess, but with my senior leadership acting that way, I wouldn't continue playing either.

If Long made a mistake, it was in the school's release where he said, " Louisiana Tech women’s basketball has been about playing in the NCAA Tournament. We did not do enough this season to reach that goal. With all due respect to the WNIT, we are not interested in an invitation."

That came across as sounding arrogant. But people who know Chris Long, know that he is anything but arrogant. A softer worded statement probably would have saved him some heat.

The Techsters need a big time post signee in the spring if they hope to avoid the indignity of an NIT invitation next season. They'll have plenty of talent and depth at guard, but they need more depth in the paint.