Drexel Doesn't Earn NCAA Bid

Drexel, despite its 27-6 record and regular season championship in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) did not earn a bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

The Dragons, whose 19-game win streak was snapped by VCU, 59-56 in the CAA championships, has been guaranteed a berth in the NIT.

Drexel was considered to be on the bubble in the 68-team NCAA field and upsets in several conference tournament no doubt hurt the Dragons chances.

"I think I am more disappointed this time than last time," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said. "This time it is what it is and we have to be ready to play this week."

Flint knew the Dragons were in trouble when Iona earned a First Four game for the right to earn the No. 14 seed in the West Region. Iona will face BYU on Tuesday in Dayton with the winner meeting No. 3 seeded Marquette.

Iona (25-7) was the champion if the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, but lost in the conference tournament semifinals, 85-75 to Fairfield.

Another negative sign was the fact that VCU earned just a No. 12 seed.

"Honestly it goes to tell you what people think of our conference when I saw a No. 12 seed, I said wow," Flint said.

Flint said the last time the Dragons felt snubbed by the NCAA committee, in 2006-07, that he felt the team came out flat and lost a first round home NIT game to North Carolina State.
As soon as the shock and disappointment of not making the NCAA's hit, Flint's only thought was to go win the next game.