Weeks ago, USD Athletic Director Bill McGillis said fans could “take it to the bank” that the Toreros would play in a postseason basketball tournament. Saturday evening, McGillis kept his word.
McGillis announced that USD (18-13) will host Hartford (19-13) in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) at 7 p.m. Monday. The game will be televised by CBS SportsNet.
“We are thrilled, absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to play for each other again,” said acting head coach Sam Scholl. “To get out on television and show everyone what USD basketball is about. We couldn’t be more excited.”
Scholl said his players feel likewise. After sending out a group text, Scholl said he received immediate responses.
“A lot of exclamation points,” said Scholl.
McGillis said he was adamant about the team playing in a tournament despite the negative news surrounding former head coach Lamont Smith.
Smith was arrested in the Bay Area on Feb. 25 on suspicion of domestic violence. Though the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office decided not to press charges, Smith resigned on Wednesday.
“That had no bearing whatsoever on a decision to accept an invitation, no effect at all,” McGillis reiterated. “It’s about the players. I certainly wasn’t going to deny them the opportunity because we had a head coaching change.”
USD enjoyed only its second winning season in the last 10 years. The team got off to 8-2 and 12-3 starts, the program’s best since joining Division I in 1979-80.
“I think our guys deserve to continue playing,” said McGillis.
The decision to play in the postseason was cast with an eye toward the future.
“I think we are extremely well positioned next year for potentially an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament,” McGillis said. “We have young men who want to continue playing, who deserve to keep playing, and I think potentially this tournament could catapult us into the offseason and into next year in a great way.”
Added McGillis, “Our target is not the NIT or the CIT. Our target in the future is the NCAA Tournament. This is the next step in the journey for this coaching staff and these players.”
All but one player is eligible to return next season, including the top four scorers in forward Isaiah Pineiro (15.6 points) and guards Isaiah Wright (13.3), Olin Carter III (12.5) and Tyler Williams (8.5). The top three rebounders still retain eligibility in Pineiro (6.2 rebounds), Wright (5.0) and Williams (3.6).
The CIT is a single-elimination tournament featuring mid-major programs. The CIT uses the old NIT model in which there is no set bracket. Future opponents are determined by the results of the previous round. All games are at on-campus sites.
This will be USD’s second appearance in the CIT. In 2014-15, the Toreros advanced to the third round, beating Portland State and Sam Houston State before losing to Pacific.
Hartford is a member of the America East Conference and finished third in the league at 11-5.
Norcross is a freelance writer.