Success in tournament play often is more about attitude and emotion than it is Xs and Os.
An argument can be made that is even more the case in the NIT, where a 32-team cast of misfits ranging from those stung from missing the cut for the NCAA Tournament to hungry up-and-comers compete for college basketball's top consolation prize.
The Buffs twice previously reached the NIT under ninth-year head coach Tad Boyle, whose club will make its third NIT appearance under his watch with a first-round date late Tuesday night against Dayton at the CU Events Center.