How consistent have the schools of the new Big East been in the recent past in making deep runs in the NCAA tournament?

We all know who the Final Four teams have been because they grab the headlines and our memories can store only so much. But a run to the Elite 8 is pretty impressive in its own right. I thought it would be interesting to go back 10 years to 2003 and see which schools from the new Big East have been in the regional finals in that span. Here's the list:

2003 - Marquette
2004 - Xavier
2005 -
2006 - Villanova
2007 - Georgetown
2008 - Xavier
2009 - Villanova
2010 - Butler
2011 - Butler
2012 -
2013 - Marquette

That's 9 trips to the Elite 8 in 11 years. Only 3 conferences have done better - The new ACC, the new SEC, and the Big XII with 10 apiece. (I'm using the post-expansion membership. So, Louisville, for example counts for the ACC.). Here's the list by conference:

ACC - 10 years (19 total appearances)
B12 - 10 years (17 total appearances)
SEC - 10 years (14 total appearances)
BEC - 9 years (9 total appearances)
B1G - 8 years (10 total appearances)
Pac - 6 years (7 total appearances)
AAC - 5 years (6 total appearances)*
A10 - 4 years (4 total appearances)
MVC - 1 year (1 total appearance)

*I did not count Memphis' 2008 run because it was vacated.

For the history buffs, here's how the new membership of the Big East has done in the past, going back in 11 year blocks:

1992-02 - 3 years (3 total appearances)
1981-91 - 8 years (14 total appearances)
1970-80 - 9 years (11 total appearances)

Because inquiring minds want to know, here's the list by school of Elite 8 appearances by the new Big East membership since 1970:

Villanova(9) - 2009, 2006, 1988, 1985, 1983, 1982,1978, 1971, 1970
Georgetown(8) - 2007, 1996, 1989, 1987, 1985, 1984, 1982, 1980
Marquette(5) - 2013, 2003, 1977, 1976, 1974
St. John's(4) - 1999, 1991, 1985, 1979
Providence(3) - 1997, 1987, 1973
Butler(2) - 2011, 2010
Xavier(2) - 2008, 2004
Seton Hall(2) - 1991, 1989
DePaul(2) - 1979, 1978
Creighton(0) - none

(06-20-2013 10:02 AM)Melky Cabrera Wrote:  How consistent have the schools of the new Big East been in the recent past in making deep runs in the NCAA tournament?

We all know who the Final Four teams have been because they grab the headlines and our memories can store only so much. But a run to the Elite 8 is pretty impressive in its own right. I thought it would be interesting to go back 10 years to 2003 and see which schools from the new Big East have been in the regional finals in that span. Here's the list:

2003 - Marquette
2004 - Xavier
2005 -
2006 - Villanova
2007 - Georgetown
2008 - Xavier
2009 - Villanova
2010 - Butler
2011 - Butler
2012 -
2013 - Marquette

That's 9 trips to the Elite 8 in 11 years. Only 3 conferences have done better - The new ACC, the new SEC, and the Big XII with 10 apiece. (I'm using the post-expansion membership. So, Louisville, for example counts for the ACC.). Here's the list by conference:

ACC - 10 years (19 total appearances)
B12 - 10 years (17 total appearances)
SEC - 10 years (14 total appearances)
BEC - 9 years (9 total appearances)
B1G - 8 years (10 total appearances)
Pac - 6 years (7 total appearances)
AAC - 5 years (6 total appearances)*
A10 - 4 years (4 total appearances)
MVC - 1 year (1 total appearance)

*I did not count Memphis' 2008 run because it was vacated.

For the history buffs, here's how the new membership of the Big East has done in the past, going back in 11 year blocks:

1992-02 - 3 years (3 total appearances)
1981-91 - 8 years (13 total appearances)
1970-80 - 9 years (11 total appearances)

Because inquiring minds want to know, here's the list by school of Elite 8 appearances since 1970:

Villanova(9) - 2009, 2006, 1988, 1985, 1983, 1982,1978, 1971, 1970
Georgetown(8) - 2007, 1996, 1989, 1987,1985, 1984, 1982, 1980
Marquette(5) - 2013, 2003, 1977, 1976, 1974
St. John's(4) - 1999, 1991, 1985, 1979
Providence(3) - 1997, 1987, 1973
Butler(2) - 2011, 2010
Xavier(2) - 2008, 2004
Seton Hall(2) - 1991, 1989
DePaul(2) - 1979, 1978
Creighton(0) - none

Georgetown 87' lost to providence (not included)

Great information Melky. Thanks.
Also of note is that 5 different Big East schools have made the Elite Eight in the last 7 years.
Only 3 different ACC schools have made Elite-8's in the last 10 (Duke, UNC, Ga Tech), and only 2 (UNC, Duke) in the last 9 years. Amazing. 2 of 12 in the last nine years for the ACC.

(06-20-2013 01:24 PM)billyjack Wrote:  Great information Melky. Thanks.
Also of note is that 5 different Big East schools have made the Elite Eight in the last 7 years.
Only 3 different ACC schools have made Elite-8's in the last 10 (Duke, UNC, Ga Tech), and only 2 (UNC, Duke) in the last 9 years. Amazing. 2 of 12 in the last nine years for the ACC.

That's a big part of the reason they're reinforcing with Louisville, Syracuse, Pitt and Notre Dame.

(06-20-2013 11:20 AM)BigmanU Wrote:  

(06-20-2013 10:02 AM)Melky Cabrera Wrote:  How consistent have the schools of the new Big East been in the recent past in making deep runs in the NCAA tournament?

We all know who the Final Four teams have been because they grab the headlines and our memories can store only so much. But a run to the Elite 8 is pretty impressive in its own right. I thought it would be interesting to go back 10 years to 2003 and see which schools from the new Big East have been in the regional finals in that span. Here's the list:

2003 - Marquette
2004 - Xavier
2005 -
2006 - Villanova
2007 - Georgetown
2008 - Xavier
2009 - Villanova
2010 - Butler
2011 - Butler
2012 -
2013 - Marquette

That's 9 trips to the Elite 8 in 11 years. Only 3 conferences have done better - The new ACC, the new SEC, and the Big XII with 10 apiece. (I'm using the post-expansion membership. So, Louisville, for example counts for the ACC.). Here's the list by conference:

ACC - 10 years (19 total appearances)
B12 - 10 years (17 total appearances)
SEC - 10 years (14 total appearances)
BEC - 9 years (9 total appearances)
B1G - 8 years (10 total appearances)
Pac - 6 years (7 total appearances)
AAC - 5 years (6 total appearances)*
A10 - 4 years (4 total appearances)
MVC - 1 year (1 total appearance)

*I did not count Memphis' 2008 run because it was vacated.

For the history buffs, here's how the new membership of the Big East has done in the past, going back in 11 year blocks:

1992-02 - 3 years (3 total appearances)
1981-91 - 8 years (13 total appearances)
1970-80 - 9 years (11 total appearances)

Because inquiring minds want to know, here's the list by school of Elite 8 appearances since 1970:

Villanova(9) - 2009, 2006, 1988, 1985, 1983, 1982,1978, 1971, 1970
Georgetown(8) - 2007, 1996, 1989, 1987,1985, 1984, 1982, 1980
Marquette(5) - 2013, 2003, 1977, 1976, 1974
St. John's(4) - 1999, 1991, 1985, 1979
Providence(3) - 1997, 1987, 1973
Butler(2) - 2011, 2010
Xavier(2) - 2008, 2004
Seton Hall(2) - 1991, 1989
DePaul(2) - 1979, 1978
Creighton(0) - none

Georgetown 87' lost to Providence (not included)

How did I overlook that???

Thanks for the correction.

I've edited my original, so if anyone's looking at that first, it's now corrected.

just last 4 years something:
B12 4 teams 3 years
ACC 4 teams 4 years
B10 3 teams 3 years
SEC 3 teams 4 years
BE 2 teams 3 years
MVC 1 team
P12 1 team
AAC 1 team
A10 1 team

If you go back another year- add a different team from SEC, ACC, BE, and B12. (Missouri, Pitt, Villanova, Oklahoma)

(06-20-2013 02:45 PM)stever20 Wrote:  just last 4 years something:
B12 4 teams 3 years
ACC 4 teams 4 years
B10 3 teams 3 years
SEC 3 teams 4 years
BE 2 teams 3 years
MVC 1 team
P12 1 team
AAC 1 team
A10 1 team

If you go back another year- add a different team from SEC, ACC, BE, and B12. (Missouri, Pitt, Villanova, Oklahoma)

Yes, the Big XII has become a much stronger conference than everyone gives them credit for - even without Missouri.

It's no longer Kansas and the 7 Dwarfs as it was in the old big 8. Baylor has been to 2 Elite8's in the past 5 years. Oklahoma & Texas have each been to 2 Elite 8's since 2003. Although they didn't show it this year West Virginia was a big time addition.

(06-20-2013 01:24 PM)billyjack Wrote:  Great information Melky. Thanks.
Also of note is that 5 different Big East schools have made the Elite Eight in the last 7 years.
Only 3 different ACC schools have made Elite-8's in the last 10 (Duke, UNC, Ga Tech), and only 2 (UNC, Duke) in the last 9 years. Amazing. 2 of 12 in the last nine years for the ACC.

I noticed the same thing. Thanks for pointing that out. I almost posted it but didn't.

It's an important point because it shows the depth of the conference. The BE doesn't depend on just one or two teams. Half the league has been to the Elite 8 recently as you point out. And historically, St. John's, Providence, Seton Hall, and DePaul have all shown the ability to build highly successful programs. They will do so again. So, if someone slumps, in all likelihood someone else will step up.

(06-20-2013 02:56 PM)Melky Cabrera Wrote:  

(06-20-2013 01:24 PM)billyjack Wrote:  Great information Melky. Thanks.
Also of note is that 5 different Big East schools have made the Elite Eight in the last 7 years.
Only 3 different ACC schools have made Elite-8's in the last 10 (Duke, UNC, Ga Tech), and only 2 (UNC, Duke) in the last 9 years. Amazing. 2 of 12 in the last nine years for the ACC.

I noticed the same thing. Thanks for pointing that out. I almost posted it but didn't.

It's an important point because it shows the depth of the conference. The BE doesn't depend on just one or two teams. Half the league has been to the Elite 8 recently as you point out. And historically, St. John's, Providence, Seton Hall, and DePaul have all shown the ability to build highly successful programs. They will do so again. So, if someone slumps, in all likelihood someone else will step up.

Agreed, the Big East is a deep conference. I would not be surprised to see 8 of the 10 teams competing for NCAA bids next year.

I think that XU will finally get to the final 4 soon. Being in the Big East should help them land some higher recruits. I hope Semaj stays one more year after this season. That team should be stacked.

(06-20-2013 06:45 PM)kellernr Wrote:  I think that XU will finally get to the final 4 soon. Being in the Big East should help them land some higher recruits. I hope Semaj stays one more year after this season. That team should be stacked.

Whoever has been pulling the strings at Xavier has been doing a great job. This is a "program" in the true sense of the word. As great as the past 10 years have been, this program has had an amazing run of success for the past 30 years through 5 or 6 different coaches. That's a program!

As great as Duke has been over the past 30 years, it's all been Coach K. One guy. So, the question has to be out there as to how Duke will be after he's gone. But Xavier seems to succeed regardless of who the coach is.

And they keep getting better under each coach. So, I agree that it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see them go to a Final Four. It's the next logical step after 2 Elite 8's in the past 10 years. They've been knocking on the door.

(06-20-2013 11:53 PM)Melky Cabrera Wrote:  

(06-20-2013 06:45 PM)kellernr Wrote:  I think that XU will finally get to the final 4 soon. Being in the Big East should help them land some higher recruits. I hope Semaj stays one more year after this season. That team should be stacked.

Whoever has been pulling the strings at Xavier has been doing a great job. This is a "program" in the true sense of the word. As great as the past 10 years have been, this program has had an amazing run of success for the past 30 years through 5 or 6 different coaches. That's a program!

As great as Duke has been over the past 30 years, it's all been Coach K. One guy. So, the question has to be out there as to how Duke will be after he's gone. But Xavier seems to succeed regardless of who the coach is.

And they keep getting better under each coach. So, I agree that it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see them go to a Final Four. It's the next logical step after 2 Elite 8's in the past 10 years. They've been knocking on the door.

I won't be happy until they win 2 national championships so all my UC friends will shut up.