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Alabama head coach Anthony Grant, left, watches play against Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Atlanta. Dave Martin, Associated Press
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Alabama head coach Anthony Grant watches play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky at the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Atlanta. Dave Martin, Associated Press
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Alabama forward Tony Mitchell (5) lays the ball up as Kentucky forward Terrence Jones (3) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Atlanta. Dave Martin, Associated Press

By Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama must settle for a No. 1 seed in the NIT.

The Crimson Tide wasn't among the 68 teams making the NCAA tournament Sunday, but instead will host Coastal Carolina on Tuesday night.

Alabama (21-11) won the Southeastern Conference Western Division and went 12-4 in league play but struggled early in the season.

NCAA selection committee chair Gene Smith says the Tide was "seriously under consideration."

Alabama coach Anthony Grant says his team was obviously disappointed but must "move on and understand we've got a great opportunity to continue our season, continue to try to play for a championship."

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Coastal Carolina is led by former Auburn coach Cliff Ellis. His team lost to UNC Asheville in the championship game of the Big South Conference tournament.

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