Kurt Pegler verbalizes what everyone was silently thinking
This is regarding Bradley Basketball’s invitation to the CBI (College Basketball Invitational), which is for teams that weren’t good enough to get into the NCAA Tournament, nor were they good enough to get into the lightly followed NIT.
Apparently Kurt, the sports announcer on WMBD31, started Wednesday night’s broadcast with a quip which went something like this: “…and next Bradley will move on to the sectionals of the Galesburg Invitational.” After catching a lot of flak, he appeared on the 1470’s Greg & Dan show to apologize, which was the first time I had heard about this.
Was it a bit harsh, especially coming out of the sports director? Yea. Is it true? Yea. I’m glad they get to continue playing, and I’ll listen to the games and cheer them on, but if you’re honest, you know this is post season play is sort-of silly.
For the record, Kurt said he was just trying to make a light-hearted joke, but in doing so he struck a nerve with some people who probably don’t want to hear the bitter truth that Bradley is playing in a tournament consisting of the best of the rest of the rest.
Go BU!
March 21st, 2008 at 11:59 am
Playing in CBI is just plain stupid. The risk of a player getting injured far outweighs any sense of misplaced pride that might come from winning such an inconsequential tournament.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
PI- from the turnout (only 5114 compared to 9-10K for most home games) many people agree with Kurt
March 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I don’t doubt that. When I heard they were giving away 2 for 1 tickets, I figured didn’t draw much of a crowd to the first game.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:01 pm
For about five seconds there, I had some respect for Pegler.
Once, just once, I want to see someone have the guts to say that a joke is just that, a JOKE, and refuse to apologize.
But BU fans like their sports journalist to be complete ass kissers like Dave Snell. So Pegler had to grovel to appease them.
And BU would totally kick ass at the Galesburg Invitational. Maybe.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 am
Billy, my sentiments exactly.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:44 am
At least BU is still playing. This tourney is it’s first year and the field they chose was pretty diverse. BU looked fairly good against a young Cinn. team. They should also win on Monday.
One reason for the low turn-out was it was a 6PM game (very early) and many people didn;t even hear about it.
We’ll see if BU actaully puts up a list of their “CBI” tourney appearances on the wall next to their NIT and NCAA tourney years.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
BU Fan,
That’s just it. Bradley shouldn’t be playing. The risks are too great and the rewards too little. Even if they win this shit tournament, all that says is that they might be the 130th best team in the country. Nothing like getting recognition for mediocrity. I bet the guys that organized the tournament used to get rewarded for D’s on their report card.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Go Pegs! Too bad he had to apologize (probably requested by his bosses), because it was funny and apropos.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I agree with Kurt for his way of seein the CBI? I mean for the love of whatever God is in control here is Bradley Straight up Kidding?!! I back Kurt alwayz!!