Maryland will not pursue any additional postseason tournaments after being left out of the NIT.
The Terrapins end their season 17-15 and missed the postseason for the second straight season.
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“Given the current financial situation in the athletics department, we feel as though now is not the right time for us to be involved with any of the models of the other postseason tournaments,” coach Mark Turgeon said in a statement released by the school. “With a very good recruiting class coming in and looking at the positive aspects of the season we just finished, we look forward to working throughout this upcoming off-season to getting Maryland basketball where we all want it to be.”
There are two tournaments beyond the NIT —- the College Basketball Invitational and the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
The CBI has attracted some major-conference programs in its four years of existence, including Virginia in 2008. However, only one such school with a winning record (2009 Stanford) accepted a CBI bid.
The CIT typically includes mid-majors and has yet to have a power conference school in its field during its first three years.
Both tournaments require a financial commitment from a host school, something cash-strapped Maryland is ill-prepared to handle.
—- Patrick Stevens
