Stanford won’t have a chance to defend its NIT title.
The Cardinal was not among the 32 teams picked Sunday night to participate in the tournament.
Stanford has won the NIT title three times — twice since 2012.
But the Cardinal (15-15) stumbled through the regular season and fell flat in its lone postseason game, potentially putting coach Johnny Dawkins’ job in jeopardy.
Stanford made a quick exit from the Pac-12 tournament with a 91-68 loss to Washington on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Asked after that game about Stanford’s postseason possibilities, Dawkins said: “If we get an NIT bid, we’re going. Beyond that, we’re not sure.”
The Cardinal also was not part of the 16-team field announced for the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournament. The Las Vegas 16 tournament had yet to announce its participants.
Stanford was picked 10th in the Pac-12 before the season, then lost projected starting point guard Robert Cartwright to a broken arm before it even started. Power forward Reid Travis, the team’s best player, suffered a leg injury in mid-December and did not return.
Stanford finished 8-10 in Pac-12 play.
Every scholarship player on the roster is expected back next season.
Staff writer Jeff Faraudo and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
