The 20-year wait is over. The goal moving ahead is to take the next step.Forthe first time since qualifying for the NCAA Tournament after the1991-92 season, the La Salle Explorers participated in the postseason.OK, so they lost 70-61 to Minnesota in the NIT Wednesday night at TomGola Arena.They made some major progress, won 21 games (21-13) and had the most victories since a 30-2 mark in 1990.WhenLa Salle was eliminated by Saint Louis in the quarterfinals of theAtlantic-10 tournament, the NIT seemed questionable at best. But the NITcommittee gave the Explorers a coveted bid."I'm atraditionalist and if you don't make the NCAA or the NIT, I don't knowthe attractiveness of continuing the season," La Salle coach JohnGiannini said. "To be in the NIT is great, it shows that you are closeto the NCAA Tournament. Again, the company you have in the NIT istremendous."Minnesota is a great program and for us to competeagainst them is a real positive thing for us. You said it's a step forour program and while every team wants to be in the NCAA Tournament, wereal had some weaknesses exposed."When you've waited for 20years, the journey back to the NCAAs must start somewhere. Clearly, theExplorers are heading in the proper direction."This is somethingthat we can learn from," Giannini said. "It is not a shame to playpoorly, but it is a shame not to do anything about it. We need to learnfrom this and step forward, and I think our players are really excitedabout it. I think they are capable of taking another step, I expect themto take another step and I think after (the loss), they will be moremotivated to take another step."
