First, 68 teams were announced for the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Then, 32 teams were announced for the NIT Tournament. The Maryland Terrapins weren't included in either bracket.
But there was still hope. Maryland still could have been selected to play in the 2011 CBI Tournament. The CBI is a 16-team consolation event starting on Wednesday and is unique in that it is the only college basketball tournament that is settled with a best-of-three series in the Finals.
Maryland basketball will evidently not be playing in the CBI though, as reported by Patrick Stevens of D1scourse. This will end Maryland's 17-year streak of postseason basketball, a streak that was the longest in the ACC. Yes, even longer than the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels.
Stevens spoke to Gary Williams, and the coach is disappointed, as anyone would expect.
After 19 wins and beating Penn State, Florida State and Clemson, it’s disappointing that we’re not at least in the NIT. We played right with Duke for 35 minutes and got a win in the ACC Tournament, it’s kind of surprising we weren’t selected. We worked very hard to get to where we were with 19 wins this year. We’re looking forward to the start of next season.
The coach certainly makes some good points. We're looking forward to next season as well, because for now, Maryland's season is over.