Even with an expanded field, a weak bubble and an inordinate number of one-bid leagues, Virginia Tech was left out of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
This year's field was expanded to 68 from 65 this year and Tech still wasn't able to crack the inaugural "First Four" that will be played in Dayton. It also wound up not helping the Hokies that there were no bid thieves during championship week. There were nine multi-bid leagues this year compared to 11 in 2010.
It will interesting to see what reasoning the selection committee will give to leaving the Hokies out. The Hokies body of work may be pointed to despite winning two games in the ACC Tournament and owning a win over the then-No. 1 team in the country in Duke.
However, Tech was also swept by UVa and lost to Georgia Tech. And despite bolstering its strength of schedule, the Hokies only managed an RPI in the low 60s. The Hokies, along with Saint Mary's, Colorado and Alabama, will have the biggest gripes for being included in the NCAA Tournament over the teams that were given spots in the First Four: Clemson, VCU, UAB and USC.
Now the Hokies will wait for the NIT selection show later tonight. Tech will likely again be a No. 1 seed in the tournament and be guaranteed home games in the tournament if the accept a bid.