If you somehow missed it, and that seems impossible at least locally, UNC turned down an NIT bid Sunday. This completes a spectacular fall from preseason #1 to, well, staying at home in March. The reactions have been fast and furious.
Perhaps most prominently, failed coach Tom Penders just ripped the program, and somewhat ludicrously called for fining UNC. This is what he posted on Twitter Sunday night: “ARROGANCE! UNC should get fined big bucks! The NCAA basketball committee should remember this slap in the face. The NIT started before the NCAA tournament.“
It’s a bit late for that: UNC is not the first program to turn down the NIT.