If you had parachuted into the Recreation and Athletic Complex on Sunday afternoon, you'd have figured the basketball team was prepping for a big game. The practice was loud and intense, coaches and players engaged.

There was practically a game-like celebration for the gold team when Sherrod Wright hit a game-winning three at the buzzer in a scrimmage, though it was more subdued than his game-winner versus VCU. When Ryan Pearson later tip-dunked a missed shot, he hung on the rim, did a chin-up, and let out a primal scream.

The Patriots were practicing in hopes of an NIT bid, which did not materialize Sunday night. So there's disappointment among players and coaches that there is no post-season play.

"These kids have been great to coach," said Paul Hewitt of his first year at Mason. "That's why I was so disappointed at getting knocked out when we did."

The Patriots finished at 24-9, their last game a 74-64 loss to VCU in the CAA semifinals after falling behind 22-0 and 32-4 before cutting the lead to six points late in the game.

"We battled back that game after a horrific start," Hewitt said. "It's disappointing because these guys have given that kind of effort the entire time."

Hewitt, who had teams at Siena and Georgia Tech reach post-season play eight times in 14 years, thought the Patriots were good enough for an NCAA at-large bid. He also knew the team's strength of schedule (SOS) would prevent them from getting into the NCAA tournament, a point the committee emphasized this season. That was also the fatal flaw for Drexel, which landed an NIT bid after being bypassed by the NCAA.

"We hurt our strength of schedule with that Florida International game," Hewitt said of the opening round loss in the Preseason NIT. "If we won that game, we had a chance to play Virginia Tech. You've got to schedule."

Hewitt is trying to ramp up the SOS for next season, which includes an opening game against Virginia. "Northern Iowa is coming in," the coach said. "We'll be at Bucknell; they're really good. We're at a Virgin Islands tournament which UConn is supposed to be in and Wichita State is already in. We're working on one other game and then I'll feel really good about our strength of schedule.

"I think the league will be much better. Wilmington will be much better, Towson much better. Northeastern is going to be really good, I mean really good. ODU, VCU, Drexel and us should be good."

The Patriots lose a trio of three-year starters, CAA Player of the Year Ryan Pearson, post player Mike Morrison and guard Andre Cornelius. They averaged 33.5 points and 17.1 rebounds this season while shooting 51.2 percent.

Point guard Bryon Allen and shooting guard Vertrail Vaughns are the returning starters. There's a talented group of reserves including Sherrod Wright, the leading returning scorer (9.6) and rebounder (6.6) who shot 52.9 percent overall, 40.4 percent from the arc and 85.9 percent from the foul line.

 "He could be our (CAA) Player of the Year candidate," Hewitt said.

To help replace the inside muscle of Pearson and Morrison, the Patriots have Erik Copes, Jonathan Arledge, current redshirt Johnny Williams and Seton Hall transfer Anali Okoloji, all of whom are 6-8 and promising players.

Vaughn Gray, nicknamed "The Future" because of his potential, and Paris Bennett are versatile wing players.

Corey Edwards, a reserve point guard, also returns. The experience Edwards and Allen got this year will be important next year. Point guard improvement will be a point of emphasis. The duo combined to shoot just 20.7 percent from three-point range and had 192 assists to 158 turnovers.

Count on seeing a team next year that presses more than this year's team did. "I think we'll play a little faster defensively," Hewitt said. "Ryan is such a big part of what we do, I didn't want to wear him out having to match up on the ball.

"I think next year we have the opportunity to be a team that can pressure a little more. I don't know if we'll go as far as VCU and pressure every possession. Certainly on free throws and dead balls you're going to see us in full-court pressure."

The only incoming recruit so far is local product Patrick Holloway, a shooting guard who led Paul VI to an unbeaten regular season and tournament title in the ultra-tough Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

"There's a good chance we could get someone from overseas," Hewitt said. "You never know what can happen. There's a lot of time between now and August 30 when school starts."

Hewitt liked the team he had in his first year at Mason. He feels good about next year's team, too.