Elite 8s and the Myth of UConn's inconsistency

[upstater]

Last year the knock on UConn is that they come out of nowhere and win every once in a while but that otherwise they lose early in the tourney or don't even make the tourney at all.

In the last 35 years, UConn has made the Elite 8 quite a few times:

Most Elite 8s since 1990:

1. Kentucky 16
2. North Carolina 15
3. Duke 14
4. Kansas 14
5. UConn 12
6. Michigan St 10
7. Arizona 9

If they hadn't lost in the E8 to eventual national champs Duke, UCLA, UNC & Maryland, their F4 record would look even better.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Last year the knock on UConn is that they come out of nowhere and win every once in a while but that otherwise they lose early in the tourney or don't even make the tourney at all.

In the last 35 years, UConn has made the Elite 8 quite a few times:

Most Elite 8s since 1990:

1. Kentucky 16
2. North Carolina 15
3. Duke 14
4. Kansas 14
5. UConn 12
6. Michigan St 10
7. Arizona 9

If they hadn't lost in the E8 to eventual national champs Duke, UCLA, UNC & Maryland, their F4 record would look even better.

Actually UNC didn't win in 1998, but they probably should have.

It's weird, actually. The knock on us early was that we'd consistently make the second weekend but couldn't get over the hump. The knock lately is that we're irrelevant outside of unexpected championship runs.

Average those together and we have a very impressive 30-year resume no matter how you slice it.

 

[blkknight1]

I'd also point out that uconn in 95 (ucla in Oakland) and 98 (unc in Charlotte)played road games.

 

[Matrim55]

Last year the knock on UConn is that they come out of nowhere and win every once in a while but that otherwise they lose early in the tourney or don't even make the tourney at all.

In the last 35 years, UConn has made the Elite 8 quite a few times:

Most Elite 8s since 1990:

1. Kentucky 16
2. North Carolina 15
3. Duke 14
4. Kansas 14
5. UConn 12
6. Michigan St 10
7. Arizona 9

If they hadn't lost in the E8 to eventual national champs Duke, UCLA, UNC & Maryland, their F4 record would look even better.

Man if you'd told me we were only two behind Duke I'd have called you a liar. Great stat.

 

[DRBackup]

Last year the knock on UConn is that they come out of nowhere and win every once in a while but that otherwise they lose early in the tourney or don't even make the tourney at all.

In the last 35 years, UConn has made the Elite 8 quite a few times:

Most Elite 8s since 1990:

1. Kentucky 16
2. North Carolina 15
3. Duke 14
4. Kansas 14
5. UConn 12
6. Michigan St 10
7. Arizona 9

If they hadn't lost in the E8 to eventual national champs Duke, UCLA, UNC & Maryland, their F4 record would look even better.

I think the "inconsistency" argument - which is weak, anyhow - is more about missing the tournament altogether. 1993, 1997, 2001, 2007, and 2010. But, again, whatever. 5 championships and 6 final fours makes all the 100% irrelevant.

 

[nomar]

Actually UNC didn't win in 1998, but they probably should have.

It's weird, actually. The knock on us early was that we'd consistently make the second weekend but couldn't get over the hump. The knock lately is that we're irrelevant outside of unexpected championship runs.

Average those together and we have a very impressive 30-year resume no matter how you slice it.

Not hearing a lot of knocks at all these days

 

[Tenspro2002]

Not hearing a lot of knocks at all these days

It's a lot harder now.

A few years ago you could argue aside from two fluke runs we'd been irrelevant for 10+ years.

A third not-so-fluke run, followed up by a #1 overall seed and Elite 8 or beyond, not anymore.

 

[nomar]

It's a lot harder now.

A few years ago you could argue aside from two fluke runs we'd been irrelevant for 10+ years.

A third not-so-fluke run, followed up by a #1 overall seed and Elite 8 or beyond, not anymore.

It happened quickly. The last 2 years have shut everybody up.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Man if you'd told me we were only two behind Duke I'd have called you a liar. Great stat.

Might only be one behind by tomorrow if Houston gets it done

edit: Unless that 12 includes advancing to the E8 tonight

 

[aceboon]

That knock came from people who didn't pay attention to basketball before 99

 

[upstater]

Might only be one behind by tomorrow if Houston gets it done

edit: Unless that 12 includes advancing to the E8 tonight

It includes tonight

 

[Tenspro2002]

It happened quickly. The last 2 years have shut everybody up.

It's like the last 365 days. From the Gonzaga game onward.