USC was one of a handful of teams that you could make a case was snubbed from the NCAA Tournament, and their chances of winning the NIT have taken a significant hit with Chimezie Metu announcing he will not be taking part. In a series of tweets early Wednesday, the star big man defended his decision.
USC coach Andy Enfield said in a statement on Tuesday that Metu is sitting out the NIT in order to avoid injuring himself before the NBA Draft. While justifying his choice, Metu took a shot at Trojans fans for their poor attendance this season.
USC junior forward Chimezie Metu defends his decision to sit out the NIT – and then takes a swipe at all the USC hoops fans that somehow didn’t make it to a game this season. Good for him. pic.twitter.com/W9KIF2UHJ4
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) March 14, 2018
It’s safe to assume Metu would have played in the NCAA Tournament if USC made it, so he obviously just doesn’t think the NIT is worth the risk. The big man averaged 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game this season. He considered leaving for the NBA Draft after his sophomore season last year but decided to return. Metu was suspended earlier this season after he infamously punched an opponent in the groin.
A conspiracy theory has been floating around about why USC and two other teams missed the NCAA Tournament.
