The ISU men’s basketball team will not play in either the NCAA tournament or National Invitation Tournament this season.

The Cyclones had participated in the postseason for three consecutive years.

ISU coach Wayne Morgan expressed disappointment in the NIT’s omission of Iowa State.

“Obviously we are disappointed we did not qualify for postseason play” Morgan said. “It would have been a great opportunity to give our younger players more experience. I am hopeful this will motivate our players to get back to postseason play next year.”

Since 1984, the Cyclones have qualified for 12 NCAA and three NIT tournaments.

ISU athletics director Jamie Pollard said postseason experience would have been very important for the young Cyclones, who lose just three players and return 87 percent of its scoring next season.

“I know that Wayne and his team are disappointed,” Pollard said. “We wanted the opportunity to garner more experience for the players that return next year. We will now work toward a successful 2006-07 campaign.”