If a NIT game happens and no one is there, does it make a sound?

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Imagine this. You're standing in line at the movies to see the summer blockbuster. You've been waiting all year for this flick and now you are pumped that the time is finally here. You get to the ticket booth and you slap your money down, just to have the awkward acne-covered  teenager behind the class inform you, there is NO ticket for you.

You're now looking at two options. Head home, sulk in a pint of Rocky Road, and wait until year. Or put a smile on, take a ticket to whatever random Eddie Murphy-in-a-fat suit move in out right now, and make the best of the situation.

That's the same decision Virginia Tech fans faced this week, as the Hokies hosted the first round of the NIT tournament at Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday. Less than a week removed from scoring key victories in the ACC tournament and feeling like a lock for a ticket to dance in the national spotlight, the Hokies were poised to square off with the Division 1 AA Bethune-Cookman.

The initial response from many fans was to decline the invitation. Terms like "losers' bracket" and "pity tournament" were used as fans felt the Hokies had nothing to fain from participating.

A more reasonable thought came from a fan who explained that the NIT is exciting for an "up and coming team, but not for a team that feels like they should be in the NCAA tourney."

Wednesday night in Blacksburg would prove these sentiments to be less than isolated, as a mere 2,892 fans showed up, over 1,300 of which were students who got in for free.This number is considerably lower than Tech's first round attendance marks over the last three seasons.

07-08 -- 9,628 -- vs. Quinnipiac
08-09 -- 5,878 -- vs. Duquesne
09-10 -- 5,264 -- vs. Morgan State

Whether it was the lack of formidable opponent, disappointment in not making the NCAA tournament, or simply the been-there done-that feeling of a fourth straight NIT appearance, the message from fans was clear. Virginia Tech's first round NIT contest was not a priority Wednesday night.

To be honest, the fans who did make their way out Wednesday didn't exactly see an amazing contest. The Hokies (22-11) steam rolled the Wildcats (23-11), 79-54.

Virgina Tech moves on to face Witchita State, who defeated their first-round opponent Nebraska, 76-49. The game will again be held at Cassell Coliseum on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Virginia Tech Sports Department has released that adult tickets for the contest will be $15, youth tickets will be $5, all seating in general admission, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a free Hokie basketball t-shirt. Student will be admitted for free with a valid student I.D.

So Virginia Tech fans, will you attend Sunday mornings' game? Why or why not?