AMHERST - When teams around the country are gathered around the television to hear their NCAA Tournament fate, Selection Sunday will be quiet in Amherst.
The Minutemen will have begun the process of catching up on their academic work missed, while the coaching staff will be on the road recruiting trying to plug some holes for next year.
For the first time in 10 years there will be no post-season for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team following a season which it finished 14-16.
"We came in with high expectations and we didn't live up to them," Flint said. I'm disappointed in some of the things that went on this year. As a coach you want to look back and say 'What could you have done differently, what did you do wrong?' It's just been a tough year."
After defeating Niagara in the season opener, the Minutemen slid down hill quickly. Back-to-back losses to then underrateds St. John's and the College of Charleston preceded a 88-66 whipping at the hands of a mediocre Marshall team.
After being nipped by No. 1 Connecticut, the Minutemen were up and down as people waited for them to produce a ship-righting run that would vault them into the tournament.
It never came. Upsets wins over Kansas and Xavier were followed too quickly by tough losses to Fordham and La Salle.
UMass played harder and better after Ajmal Basit was dismissed from the team prior to UMass' win over St. Bonaventure on Feb. 10, but it wasn't enough to put them over the top.
There were some positives. Junior forward Chris Kirkland blossomed on the court. He evolved from a great athlete into a great basketball player. Junior Monty Mack registered one of the finest individual seasons ever for a UMass guard and sophomore big man Kitwana Rhymer went from raw project at the beginning of the season to solid contributor quickly.
"I think we take an example from some of the guys like a Chris Kirkland or Monty or Mike (Babul) as guys got better, guys that went out and worked on their games, came back and had big-time years," Flint said. "I think that guys can look at that and say 'Those guys went out and worked on their games and look what kind of years they had.'"
Athletic Director Bob Marcum has said that, despite the tough year, Flint's job is secure for next year. Flint, his staff and the players will meet shortly to determine what they need to do in the off-season to get better for next year and who will fit into next year's plan.
"I think guys are going to be mentally ready for next year," Kirkland said. "I talked with a few guys and I told them we have to get ready for next year now."
As they look to finish their degrees, seniors Lari Ketner and Charlton Clarke will also be preparing for next year as they hope to start professional careers.
Ketner has been invited to the NBA's pre-draft camp in Phoenix and is projected as either a late first- round or second-round pick in this summer's draft.
Clarke will give his broken right foot time to heal, before resuming workouts. He is not considered an NBA prospect, but will likely get interest from the Continental Basketball Association and clubs overseas.
To replace the departing duo and Basit, Flint is looking to bring in a couple of players to help strengthen next year's team. Micah Brand, a 6-foot-11 center from Milford (Conn.) Academy has already signed a letter of intent to attend UMass and the Minutemen are reportedly seeking a scorer and another point guard.
St. John's transfer Shannon Crooks will also be added to the mix and is projected to be UMass' starting point guard next year in a lineup that, tentatively, will feature Mack, Babul, Kirkland, and Rhymer.
Flint hopes that lineup will be the cornerstone of a group that a year from Sunday will be back in front of the TV wondering where it will be going in the 2000 tournament.
"We'll be back. I'm not worried about that," Flint said. "Believe me nobody wants to get back to the tournament and win more than I do. We just have to evaluate some of the things we did during the season. We may have to change some things, but we'll be back in the tournament. Believe me."