I thought this issue was discussed and settled a long time ago. Like sportsmed said, it is and was a field of 68, not 64. Also, iirc, 4 of the teams who play in Dayton are automatic qualifiers and 4 are at large. Those 4 at large teams are referred to as the LAST 4 IN. Then there are 4 teams who are ranked 69-72, who do NOT play in Dayton and are the FIRST 4 OUT. Those 4 go play in the NIT. We did not play in the NIT because we were in the last 4 IN and played in Dayton.
I wish we could have been ranked in a position where we didn't have to play in Dayton, but it was what it was, and we lost to Kansas State. If you want to bitch about our defensive 'performance' in that game, have at it (because I sure have many times), but it doesn't change the FACTS that we played in that game AND we were in the field of 68.
For the record, I am Manning out and I feel certain he would have been fired after the Miami loss in the ACC Tournament last season if not for that damn buyout Ron Wellman gave him! I think he should be fired next week after the ACC Tournament UNLESS we win it, which isn't going to happen!