One would think by playing 28 conference games the Ags would have a better resume.
Photo by Alex Parker, TexAgs
Texas A&M Basketball
Aggie Men's Basketball shut out of National Invitation Tournament field
Texas A&M’s basketball season likely came to an official end Sunday night as the Aggies (16-15) did not receive a bid to the consolation National Invitation Tournament.
Every team in the NIT field posted more victories than A&M. Clemson (17-15) has the fewest victories. NIT play begins on Tuesday night.
A&M could conceivably still buy its way into the College Basketball Invitational. However, last week Aggie coach Billy Kennedy indicated that A&M was unlikely to pursue the CBI. A&M played in the CBI in 2014 and lost in the second round to Illinois State.
The Aggies, who reached the Sweet Sixteen of the prestigious NCAA Tournament last year, lost five of their first six conference games and finished just 8-10 in SEC play. That meant they had to win the SEC Tournament to return to the NCAAs. Instead, A&M was eliminated in its first game by Vanderbilt.
That left the Aggies hoping to get in the 32-team NIT field.
However, A&M’s hopes were damaged because 10 regular season conference champions lost in their conference tournaments. Regular season conference champions that don’t get into the NCAA field are automatic qualifiers for the NIT.
A&M defeated NIT invitees Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama. However, all finished ahead of the Aggies in the SEC standings.
Every team in the NIT field posted more victories than A&M. Clemson (17-15) has the fewest victories. NIT play begins on Tuesday night.
A&M could conceivably still buy its way into the College Basketball Invitational. However, last week Aggie coach Billy Kennedy indicated that A&M was unlikely to pursue the CBI. A&M played in the CBI in 2014 and lost in the second round to Illinois State.
The Aggies, who reached the Sweet Sixteen of the prestigious NCAA Tournament last year, lost five of their first six conference games and finished just 8-10 in SEC play. That meant they had to win the SEC Tournament to return to the NCAAs. Instead, A&M was eliminated in its first game by Vanderbilt.
That left the Aggies hoping to get in the 32-team NIT field.
However, A&M’s hopes were damaged because 10 regular season conference champions lost in their conference tournaments. Regular season conference champions that don’t get into the NCAA field are automatic qualifiers for the NIT.
A&M defeated NIT invitees Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama. However, all finished ahead of the Aggies in the SEC standings.
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