If you can't make the Big Dance, then the next best thing is if you can make it to the Big Apple and perform in Madison Square Garden.
Nobody ever thought the Nits would make it through the first round in the NCAAs since they would have received a fairly low seed.
But to make it to the Final Four in the NIT - and win it - has its rewards.
Look at the TV exposure in prime time.
This will go a long way in helping recruiting for the next couple of seasons. And for Talor Battle it is a dream come true to play in Madison Square Garden.
This is Penn State Basketball, and they are still playing til the end of March or even April l.
This experience will carry this team into the next basketball season.
Les Hart
Duncansville
Mack remembered
Donald Mack, who won the Joe Cohen Blanket Award for Altoona Catholic in 1948, died in California last week.
Donald was a two-year starter at fullback in high school, a graduate of St. Francis College and later served as a special agent for the Internal Revenue Service.
He was a good player and a good teammate who will be remembered fondly.
John Conlon
Altoona
