One team ended the season with a 19-13 record and six losses in their its seven games including a first round exit from its conference tournament. The other team finished with a 27-7 record including a 17-3 conference record and lost by three points in its conference tournament. The first team made the NCAA Tournament, the second team did not. The Syracuse Orange squeaked into the Tournament as a 10-seed whereas the Monmouth Hawks, coached by Binghamton native King Rice, missed the cut.


Many don't believe that the Orange should be in the tournament in the first place and think that the reputation of the ACC was the deciding factor in their inclusion while mid-majors like Monmouth and St. Bonaventure are left scratching their heads.


Rice had a teleconference scheduled with the media following Sunday's selection show which was cancelled after they Hawks were not selected, but he did release the following statement:


“We are happy for the teams that will participate in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and wish them the best of luck. We are disappointed that we were not selected, but are excited to continue our season as part of the National Invitational Tournament.”


Monmouth was picked at #1 seed in the NIT. The Hawks will face Bucknell on Wednesday.