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Georgia Tech Turns Down NIT, but Other NCAA Castoffs Don’t

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Associated Press

All the teams that appeared to be snubbed by the NCAA Tournament accepted bids to the National Invitation Tournament--except Georgia Tech.

The Yellow Jackets (18-12) were left out of the 64-team NCAA field for the second consecutive year, but this time they elected to turn down an invitation to the 32-team NIT Tournament.

“We have exams coming up this week, and we have decided to go ahead and take our exams,” said Coach Bobby Cremins, who said the decision was not an angry reaction to NCAA rejection.

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Georgia Tech is the first team to turn down an NIT invitation since Louisville (18-14) in 1987.

Other so-called “bubble teams” that didn’t make the NCAA field were Iowa (19-11), George Washington (18-13), Georgia (18-9) and Texas Tech (20-9). All four accepted bids to the 58th annual NIT.

Washington State (16-11) also accepted an invitation.

Despite a 23-9 record, New Mexico State was passed over by the NCAA selection committee Sunday. The Aggies, losers to Long Beach State in the Big West Conference tournament semifinals, will play host to Colorado in the NIT first round.

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