Auburn out of SEC, on to CBI?


ATLANTA -- Auburn's stay in the SEC basketball tournament was neither long nor particularly memorable.

Even though the Tigers flamed out with a 93-82 loss to Vanderbilt on Thursday, it's entirely possible that Auburn’s season won't end just yet.

The Tigers, who allowed Vanderbilt to shoot 67 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range, wouldn't seem to be an especially enticing postseason commodity at 14-16. The NIT would certainly seem to be a longshot with that record, but an upstart alternative to that consolation prize could have room for the Tigers.

Ever hear of the CBI? Neither had I until Thursday afternoon (I do enjoy CSI, however, preferably the one set in Las Vegas).

The College Basketball Invitational will compete with the 32-team NIT for the leftover scraps that don't land on the plate of the NCAA tournament. A CBI representative has contacted Auburn in search of statistics and background information on the team.

The 16-team CBI is operated by the Gazelle Group, a New Jersey-based firm that operates some of college basketball's early season tournaments.

Auburn basketball coach Jeff Lebo said he'd like for his team to receive a bid to play in a postseason tournament, simply for the experience.

''Just to play in the postseason is big,’’ Lebo said. ''Just to play in that environment.''

The CBI, however, comes with a price tag. In order to host, an athletic department must cut a $60,000 check. Road teams will have their travel expenses paid for them, however. One twist to the CBI format will be a best-of-three championship series.

Lebo said playing in the NIT would likely be more practicle for his program, but stopped short of saying Auburn would turn down a CBI invitation. He said his primary concern with the CBI involves the potential for grueling roads -- especially in a best-of-three final.

"What happens if you play and you've got Washington vs. St. John's in the final?'' Lebo said.