LONGMONT — It was a somber mood this afternoon during an NCAA Tournament watch party at the home of Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle when the Buffaloes did not see their name flash up on the TV screen as part of the 68-team bracket.
“I thought we were in. It hurts,” Boyle said. “I just feel like the way we’re playing, we’re one of the top 68 teams. I know that.”
Instead, Colorado will be sent to the NIT. The Buffaloes will play at home Wednesday night against Texas Southern (19-12) in the first round of the NIT. Game time is 7 p.m. at Coors Events Center.
“We have to make a statement in the NIT,” Boyle said. “Otherwise, talk is cheap.
“I really feel bad for our five seniors who won’t get an opportunity to experience the NCAA Tournament. The younger players in our program will, the coaches will. But the seniors won’t get that chance.”
Buffs senior star Cory Higgins said, “Words can’t describe what we’re feeling. We have no choice but to move on. We didn’t think there was any chance our name wouldn’t be there. But it happened. Now we have to deal with it.”
Later, on ESPN, Boyle said, “It’s mind boggling to me. I’m just shocked.”
The Buffs (21-13, 8-8 Big 12 regular season) were denied a spot in the tournament despite getting to the Big 12 tournament semfinals, where they lost to eventual champion Kansas.
“Colorado is a good ballclub and there were many good ballclubs (that missed out),” said Gene Smith, NCAA Tournament selection chairman on CBS. He wasn’t specific about the factors that kept Colorado out, other than when the committee looked at the 15 indicators its takes into consideration, the Buffs came up short.
Later, on a teleconference with the media, Smith was asked how close Colorado was to getting into the tournament.
“Colorado was really close, as were a number of teams. At the end of day, when comparing Colorado to other teams, they didn’t get the votes at the end of the day.”
When asked about the Buffs’ 6-7 record against teams in the top 50, and three victories against Kansas State, Smith said: “Both were considered. You hit on some criteria, and those were quality wins and great performances for them.”
Smith would not reveal who was the first team out or the last team in.
Among the other “bubble’ teams to be denied were Alabama, Virginia Tech and Boston College.
ESPN announcer Fran Fraschilla called the exclusion of CU “the biggest crime of all” from today’s selections based on its victories in Big 12 play, including three over Kansas State.
ESPN’s Dick Vitale was even stronger in his comments. “How do you face those kids from Colorado? You beat Kansas State three times, you beat Texas, you beat Missouri, it makes no logic. To leave Colorado out is an injustice. It’s totally unfair. The kids at Colorado are getting a raw deal.”
Jay Bilas of ESPN called the decision to put in UAB and Virginia Commonwealth at the exclusion of Colorado “horrible, indefensible decisions.”
CU’s weak non-conference schedule hurt the Buffs’ case. Their No. 64 RPI entering the weekend was among the lowest among the teams on the bubble. That low RPI was largely a result of its weak non-conference schedule.
Colorado was trying to get one of 37 at-large bids.
Boyle inherited a veteran Colorado roster, but added a key piece in rebounder deluxe Andre Roberson, a 6-foot-7 freshman from San Antonio, and a center with potential, 7-footer Ben Mills from Milwaukee.
Colorado’s regular lineup includes seniors Higgins and Marcus Relphorde, with another senior, Levi Knutson, coming off the bench as the Big 12’s top sixth man.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
