Report: Saint Mary's rejected non-conference games with Rhode Island, Creighton

The reported reluctance of Saint Mary's to include a pair of prominent teams on its nonconference schedule might have cost the program an NCAA tournament bid.

The Gaels turned down a proposed contest this season versus Creighton, according to Gary Parrish of CBS Sports, who adds, via Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, that head coach Randy Bennett also declined a home-and-home series with Rhode Island.

Both the Bluejays and Rams qualified for the NCAA tournament easily, while the Gaels weren't invited despite a 28-5 record because of their poor strength of schedule.

Saint Mary's was one of the last four teams out of the field of 68, along with Baylor, Notre Dame, and USC.