Storrs, Conn. ? The NCAA has turned down the University of Connecticut’s final appeal on behalf of its men’s basketball team for a waiver of recently instituted academic requirements — a decision that likely will keep the Huskies out of next year’s postseason.

UConn doesn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament because of several years of below-standard Academic Progress Rate scores. It had requested the waiver, arguing that recently instituted reforms have led to improved scores over the past two seasons.

On Thursday, UConn said its appeal failed, though the school is still hoping to become eligible for the 2013 postseason by having the rules changed again to allow it to submit the more recent test scores.

The Big East also plans to implement a rule that would bar any team that fails to academically qualify for the NCAA Tournament from the conference postseason as well.