Georgia Tech and Georgia Miss NCAA Tournament, Headed to NIT

Georgia Tech and Georgia hoped to secure bids to the NCAA Tournament but instead accepted invitations to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The Jackets will host Seton Hall in the first round at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, while Georgia will open at Iowa. Both teams are looking to bounce back from missing the NCAA Tournament for the second and third times in four years, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Georgia Tech is heading to the NIT for the first time since 1994, when it lost to Siena 76-68 in the first round.
• The Jackets will host Seton Hall in the first round at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, marking their first meeting with Seton Hall since 1980.
• Seton Hall, led by point guard Shaheen Holloway, is 15-14 under first-year coach Tommy Amaker, the former Duke player and assistant coach.
• The Jackets had hoped their 17-13 record would be enough to secure an at-large berth, but it was not enough to avoid missing the tournament for the fourth time in five years.
• Georgia (16-14) also missed the NCAA Tournament, the first time in three years, and will open at Iowa.
• Four SEC teams, including Auburn, Florida, and Vanderbilt, were invited to the NIT.
• North Carolina State and Wake Forest joined Georgia Tech from the ACC.

Statistics:

• Georgia Tech is 17-13 this season.
• Seton Hall is 15-14 under first-year coach Tommy Amaker.
• Georgia is 16-14 this season.
• Iowa is 20-10 on the season.
• The NCAA Tournament selection committee has bypassed Georgia Tech and Georgia for the second and third times in four years, respectively.

Sources:

• "NCAA Tournament bid eludes Georgia Tech and Georgia, and they earning NIT bids." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is not provided as is standard practice for a news outlet.