Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery: CBI out this year

Mar. 7, 2011 6:41 pm

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said Monday night he's interested in competing in the College Basketball Invitational, but it's unlikely the Hawkeyes will play in it this year.

The CBI accepts teams with losing records, and Iowa (11-19), of course, has a losing record. But Iowa's $47 million renovation of Carver-Hawkeye Arena and construction of a new practice facility likely will prevent the school from competing in the postseason tournament.

"I think the CBI's interest would be in having us host," McCaffery said on his radio show, and added "so it probably won't happen."

Unless Iowa shocklingly wins four straight at the Big Ten Tournament, this will be the fifth straight year Iowa has not competed in the postseason.

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McCaffery said Bryce Cartwright, who left Saturday's game with leg cramps, practiced today and is "fine."

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery talks to Melsahn Basabe during a timeout in the first half against Northwestern in an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Cherney)