Bounced in the MAAC Semis After 17-Game Winning Streak, Monmouth is Headed to the NIT. Again.

Entering the MAAC Tournament semifinals Sunday night in Albany, Monmouth had won 17 straight games dating to a Jan. 2 loss to St. Peter’s.

The Hawks had gone more than two months without a loss.

But top-seeded Monmouth was stunned by No. 4 Siena, 89-85, in the semifinals on Sunday night at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.

King Rice: “This is very hard, and over the last two years, it’s gotten harder. We didn’t get enough done to be in.” #FlyHawks

— A Daly Dose Of Hoops (@DalyDoseOfHoops) March 6, 2017

Justin Robinson: “We did a lot. We just wanted to end with a conference championship, and it stings that we didn’t.” #FlyHawks

— A Daly Dose Of Hoops (@DalyDoseOfHoops) March 6, 2017

And now they appear destined for the NIT. Again.

Asked if Monmouth (27-6) had any shot of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament despite their 27 wins, both ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and CBS’ Jerry Palm told me, “No.”

As you may recall, Monmouth was spurned for an at-large a year ago after winning the MAAC regular-season championship and notching several wins over major-conference schools, only to lose to Iona in the championship game.

Now Siena will play for the league’s automatic bid against the Iona-St. Peter’s winner.

For what it’s worth, Siena coach Jimmy Patsos says the Hawks deserve an at-large.

Jimmy Patsos: “To score 64 points (in the second half), that’s pretty good. Monmouth deserves to get in that tournament.” #MAACHoops

— A Daly Dose Of Hoops (@DalyDoseOfHoops) March 6, 2017

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