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FSU Basketball: Will ‘Noles Play in NIT Tournament?

By Kelvin Hunt

Feb 20, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton (C) talks to Malik Beasley (5) and guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton (C) talks to Malik Beasley (5) and guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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FSU Basketball
Feb 20, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton (C) talks to Malik Beasley (5) and guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

FSU Basketball hopes of playing in NCAA Tournament died with loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday night. Could they play in the NIT Tournament?

FSU basketball missed the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year after losing five out of their last seven games in the regular season.

The Noles were in prime position to put themselves in the dance, had they won three or four of their last seven games they likely would have had an opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament.

The Noles improved on last season’s record (17-16) by two wins overall (19-13), but had the same record in ACC play (8-10).

The Noles were not invited to the NIT Tournament last season and declined an invitation to the CBI Tournament. However, the Noles were invited and played in the NIT Tournament in 2014 when they were (19-13, 9-9 ACC play).

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They were a No. 1 seed and lost in overtime to another No. 1 seed in Minnesota when they met in the semifinals.

The team depended heavily on freshmen Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley and sophomore Xavier Rathan-Mayes as all averaged near 29 minutes per game.

It would be beneficial for FSU basketball to play in the NIT as it would provide valuable experience to the young players.

Dwayne Bacon is projected by some mock drafts to be a first round pick, but it’s not clear what the talented freshman plans to do at this time. However, should he plan to forgo his eligibility with FSU basketball, there’s a very talented squad coming to FSU in 2016.

Related Story: Dwayne Bacon Could Be NBA First Round Draft Pick

The Noles currently have the No. 9 recruiting class which is the third best class in the ACC behind Duke and Virginia.

FSU basketball is currently a No. 3 seed by Bracketmatrix and would play Ole Miss in the first round with Florida being the No 1. seed in that bracket.

According to NYCBuckets.com, FSU basketball would be a No. 4 seed and would play LSU led by Ben Simmons.

The NIT selection show will air Sunday night on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m. EST.

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