Maryland's Streak Of Postseason Appearances Is Over

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's run of 17 straight postseason appearances is over.

After being overlooked by the NCAA tournament selection committee on Sunday — which did not come as a shock — the Terrapins (19-14) were snubbed by the NIT.

Coach Gary Williams called the development "disappointing."

Maryland won a game in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament last week before giving eventual-champion Duke a run in the quarterfinals. That's why it was tough for Williams to see his team with no basketball left to play.

He said: "It's kind of surprising we weren't selected."

Over the past 17 years under Williams, the Terrapins made 14 appearances in the NCAA tournament and played three times in the NIT. Maryland reached the Final Four in 2001 and won its lone national championship in 2002.

After reaching the NCAA tournament in three of the previous four years, the Terrapins this season couldn't make up for the loss of ACC player of the year Greivis Vasquez and backcourt mate Eric Hayes.

Maryland failed to beat a team in the Top 25, went 7-9 in the ACC and finished the season with four losses in five games.

As a result, several schools with a much lower profile than Maryland — including New Mexico, Colorado State and Washington State — were selected to play in the NIT.

The Terrapins were a collective 0-5 against the three ACC teams in the NIT: Boston College, Virginia Tech and Miami.