Biggest snub? Saint Mary's had its chance

There are plenty of people in the Bay Area that are screaming about the injustice committed on Sunday.

Saint Mary's not being chosen as one of the 37 at-large bids is sad but should not have been unexpected.

The Gaels won 25 games but lost against San Diego at Jenny Craig Pavilion and did not play well down the stretch.

They went 7-4 in their last 11 games, including a loss in the West Coast Conference title game last week.

Saint Mary's had it's chances.

The Gaels lost to Vanderbilt, BYU and San Diego State, all away from McKeon Pavilion and its only quality win is against St. John's way back in November.

A win against Gonzaga in the WCC title game would have clinched the automatic bid for Saint Mary's but as it stands, they will be playing in the Not Invited Tournament.

Saint Mary's has been left out of the NCAA Tournament two out of the last three years and only made it last season by taking the WCC's auto bid.

People can scram about USC or Virginia Commonwealth all they want but it does not change the fact Saint Mary's did not take care of business when it had the chance.

As it is, the Gaels will host at least one more home game (potentially three) in the NIT.

Senior guard Mickey McConnell referred to the snub as a slap in the face.

The lesson that should be learned is never let your fate be decided by the NCAA Selection Committee, especially if you are a mid major.

Good teams play their best when it matters most and the Gaels didn't.