When the history of Big East Basketball is written....

[Hi-Low]

in April 2013 one school will emerge as the clearly dominant team in league history.

The Big East (1979 - 2013) in NCAA Tourney/Final Four....all that really matters in the end.

1) UCONN ( 3 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 19 NCAA appearances)
2) open....if Gtown, Syracuse or Villanova wins a 2nd Championship then a worthy #2 emerges.
3) Georgetown (1 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 25 NCAA appearances)
4) Syracuse (1 National Champ, 3 Final Fours, 27 NCAA appearances)
5) Villanova (1 National Champ, 2 Final Fours, 21 NCAA appearances)
6) St Johns (1 Final Four, 18 NCAA appearances)
7) Louisville (2 Final Fours, 7 appearances)...joined in 2005...ceiling is #7, very late to BE.
8) Seton Hall (1 Final Four, 9 NCAA appearances)
9) Providence (1Final Four, 7 NCAA appearances)
10) Pitt (17 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1982.....would rocket to #7 with Final Four this year
11) West Virginia (1 Final Four, 8 NCAA appearances)....member 1995-2012
12) BC (11 NCAA appearances)....member 1979-2005
13) Notre Dame (8 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
14) Marquette (7 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
15) Cincinnatti (3 NCCA appearances)....joined in 2005...will make tourney so over Miami
16) Miami (4 NCAA appearances)....member 1991-2004
17) South Florida (1 NCAA appearance)....joined in 2005
18) Rutgers (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
19) DePaul (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
20) Va Tech (0 NCAA appearances)....member 2000-2004

 

[huskyharry]

True....
The big shame is that few will care about a historical conference, as the Big East will no longer exist.
And UConn haters will be happy to ignore our Big East accomplishments.

 

[61cygni]

A NC for Ville this year puts them above the Johnnies, appearances/duration in the BE be damned.

 

[BarkingDog]

I appreciate the list. But I think when the history of the Big East Conference is written, how the teams fared in conference play has to be included.
When our conference record, regular season titles and tournament titles are considered, I'm pretty sure UConn remains at the top of the list.

 

[Inyatkin]

Check out Rutgers. How is that possible? Boggles the mind.
And if Villanova wins the national championship this year, well, they'll have earned that No. 2 ranking.

 

[3uconn]

Check out Rutgers. How is that possible? Boggles the mind.
And if Villanova wins the national championship this year, well, they'll have earned that No. 2 ranking.

I just can't see Villanova winning it all this year after they lost to the big east bottom feeder PC today!

 

[BoatShow]

Can't believe the B1G invited a school with f#cking 0 NCAA tourney appearances in the past 18+ years. Goes to show what a couple good football seasons in the midst of conference realignment will do for you.

 

[omniorange]

I actually think the rankings are fair, but if the Orange should be blessed to win a 2nd NC this year, I think they overtake UConn as #1.

But without that, I think it's fair to have UConn #1, although I see SU as #2 and Georgetown #3.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[selles]

I actually think the rankings are fair, but if the Orange should be blessed to win a 2nd NC this year, I think they overtake UConn as #1.

Right, because 2 is more than 3, yes? That makes sense! Cheers Neil! Blessings upon you! Why don't you go argue with Wake Forest and BC fans about who has more value to the ACC?

In case it's not clear, Neil.

 

[61cygni]

7 BET championships and 10 time BE regular season champions say we'd still be #1

 

[pauliepeppas]

U guys are the best athletic program known to man.....great thread btw, has a maac team ever won a championship? You got the chips and everything but damn....it must suck to know your team will never be relevant or win big again

 

[mauconnfan]

U guys are the best athletic program known to man.....great thread btw, has a maac team ever won a championship? You got the chips and everything but damn....it must suck to know your team will never be relevant or win big again

You know what really must suck paulie, knowing Yukon or U-Connvict or whatever morons like yourself come up with, will win their 4th NC from whatever conference they end up in, BEFORE the Cuse gets their 2nd...............you want the real definition of irrelevant? A team from Syracuse NY in the ACC - enjoy and thanks once again for your interest in a BE team who has been a better program than yours for 20 plus years now!!

 

[willie99]

doesn't even take into account Big East Championships, or NBA players

and here's the kicker, we spotted these guys a decade, the 1980's is when most of the other teams accomplished anything.

 

[Adios]

Syracuse has 6 players in the NBA right now, while we have 13. Funny how people talk trash when they have nothing to back themselves up.

And who said Syracuse will win big again?

 

[Huskies4ever]

And who said Syracuse will win big again?

Their fans did. And then crickets chirped.

 

[bobbygt]

It's Uconn, Syracuse and Georgetown, in that order, and all the rest.

I still don't consider Louisville a Big East team, but they are probably number 4 anyway and definitely could be number 1 or 2 if we take their pre-Big East history into account (and if they win it all this year).

Nova is probably the best of the next group, just because of that NC, but I think they are about even historically with St. Johns, Pitt (recent success), BC, and Seton Hall.

 

[Capt Tuttle]

in April 2013 one school will emerge as the clearly dominant team in league history.

The Big East (1979 - 2013) in NCAA Tourney/Final Four....all that really matters in the end.

1) UCONN ( 3 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 19 NCAA appearances)
2) open....if Gtown, Syracuse or Villanova wins a 2nd Championship then a worthy #2 emerges.
3) Georgetown (1 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 25 NCAA appearances)
4) Syracuse (1 National Champ, 3 Final Fours, 27 NCAA appearances)
5) Villanova (1 National Champ, 2 Final Fours, 21 NCAA appearances)
6) St Johns (1 Final Four, 18 NCAA appearances)
7) Louisville (2 Final Fours, 7 appearances)...joined in 2005...ceiling is #7, very late to BE.
8) Seton Hall (1 Final Four, 9 NCAA appearances)
9) Providence (1Final Four, 7 NCAA appearances)
10) Pitt (17 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1982.....would rocket to #7 with Final Four this year
11) West Virginia (1 Final Four, 8 NCAA appearances)....member 1995-2012
12) BC (11 NCAA appearances)....member 1979-2005
13) Notre Dame (8 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
14) Marquette (7 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
15) Cincinnatti (3 NCCA appearances)....joined in 2005...will make tourney so over Miami
16) Miami (4 NCAA appearances)....member 1991-2004
17) South Florida (1 NCAA appearance)....joined in 2005
18) Rutgers (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
19) DePaul (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
20) Va Tech (0 NCAA appearances)....member 2000-2004

 

[Capt Tuttle]

in April 2013 one school will emerge as the clearly dominant team in league history.

The Big East (1979 - 2013) in NCAA Tourney/Final Four....all that really matters in the end.

1) UCONN ( 3 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 19 NCAA appearances)
2) open....if Gtown, Syracuse or Villanova wins a 2nd Championship then a worthy #2 emerges.
3) Georgetown (1 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 25 NCAA appearances)
4) Syracuse (1 National Champ, 3 Final Fours, 27 NCAA appearances)
5) Villanova (1 National Champ, 2 Final Fours, 21 NCAA appearances)
6) St Johns (1 Final Four, 18 NCAA appearances)
7) Louisville (2 Final Fours, 7 appearances)...joined in 2005...ceiling is #7, very late to BE.
8) Seton Hall (1 Final Four, 9 NCAA appearances)
9) Providence (1Final Four, 7 NCAA appearances)
10) Pitt (17 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1982.....would rocket to #7 with Final Four this year
11) West Virginia (1 Final Four, 8 NCAA appearances)....member 1995-2012
12) BC (11 NCAA appearances)....member 1979-2005
13) Notre Dame (8 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
14) Marquette (7 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
15) Cincinnatti (3 NCCA appearances)....joined in 2005...will make tourney so over Miami
16) Miami (4 NCAA appearances)....member 1991-2004
17) South Florida (1 NCAA appearance)....joined in 2005
18) Rutgers (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
19) DePaul (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
20) Va Tech (0 NCAA appearances)....member 2000-2004

With all due respect to UConn's post season achievements, which are clearly the best of the lot, the conference history is just that, the history of the entire conference, not just starting when UConn became good. Syracuse IS the face of the Big East, on a national level and from start to finish, its best program.
The Big East survived the first defections, it could not survive Syracuse leaving. The greatest programs in the HISTORY of the BE are SU, GT, UConn, Pitt and Nova. No one else really comes close to any length of success or great national prominence ( the Mullin teams were good for SJU, but since then, ?)
I for one will miss the Big East, and as a basketball guy I rue the American culture that worships football and has brought about the destruction of the BE. I hope you guys land on your feet.

 

[Kitaman]

I wish there was a way (or someone with a load of time) could track out of conference success against ranked teams. This to me is another method of representation.

For at least the last 20 years we seemed to always win the big OOC games while the rest of the league 'seemed to' suck'. We were Kings, knew it and played like it. Can't say the same for the others.

 

[UConnSwag11]

in April 2013 one school will emerge as the clearly dominant team in league history.

The Big East (1979 - 2013) in NCAA Tourney/Final Four....all that really matters in the end.

1) UCONN ( 3 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 19 NCAA appearances)
2) open....if Gtown, Syracuse or Villanova wins a 2nd Championship then a worthy #2 emerges.
3) Georgetown (1 National Champ, 4 Final Fours, 25 NCAA appearances)
4) Syracuse (1 National Champ, 3 Final Fours, 27 NCAA appearances)
5) Villanova (1 National Champ, 2 Final Fours, 21 NCAA appearances)
6) St Johns (1 Final Four, 18 NCAA appearances)
7) Louisville (2 Final Fours, 7 appearances)...joined in 2005...ceiling is #7, very late to BE.
8) Seton Hall (1 Final Four, 9 NCAA appearances)
9) Providence (1Final Four, 7 NCAA appearances)
10) Pitt (17 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1982.....would rocket to #7 with Final Four this year
11) West Virginia (1 Final Four, 8 NCAA appearances)....member 1995-2012
12) BC (11 NCAA appearances)....member 1979-2005
13) Notre Dame (8 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
14) Marquette (7 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
15) Cincinnatti (3 NCCA appearances)....joined in 2005...will make tourney so over Miami
16) Miami (4 NCAA appearances)....member 1991-2004
17) South Florida (1 NCAA appearance)....joined in 2005
18) Rutgers (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 1995
19) DePaul (0 NCAA appearances)....joined in 2005
20) Va Tech (0 NCAA appearances)....member 2000-2004

anything on big east reg. titles, tourney titles, wins?

 

[Jerry1714]

With all due respect to UConn's post season achievements, which are clearly the best of the lot, the conference history is just that, the history of the entire conference, not just starting when UConn became good. Syracuse IS the face of the Big East, on a national level and from start to finish, its best program.
The Big East survived the first defections, it could not survive Syracuse leaving. The greatest programs in the HISTORY of the BE are SU, GT, UConn, Pitt and Nova. No one else really comes close to any length of success or great national prominence ( the Mullin teams were good for SJU, but since then, ?)
I for one will miss the Big East, and as a basketball guy I rue the American culture that worships football and has brought about the destruction of the BE. I hope you guys land on your feet.

Typical SU fan coming and making proclamations about their greatness with 0 facts.

NCAA success? Uconn
Big east tournament titles? Uconn
Big east regular season titles? Tied
Weeks ranked #1? Uconn

So how the hell is syracuse the best program in the conference?

 

[specialisthusky]

So how the hell is syracuse the best program in the conference?

there is no logical answer to that question

 

[CTBasketball]

Typical SU fan coming and making proclamations about their greatness with 0 facts.

NCAA success? Uconn
Big east tournament titles? Uconn
Big east regular season titles? Tied
Weeks ranked #1? Uconn

So how the hell is syracuse the best program in the conference?

According to Bernie Fine and all fellow Syracuse-region farmers, Syracuse is on top because Boeheim has red rosy cheeks.

 

[Greathusky]

Check out Rutgers. How is that possible? Boggles the mind.
And if Villanova wins the national championship this year, well, they'll have earned that No. 2 ranking.

I did a double take on that one. No NCAA appearances? WOW!

 

[AtlHusky]

...UConn's post season achievements, which are clearly the best of the lot, the conference history is just that, the history of the entire conference, not just starting when UConn became good...

Look here Tutts, this is why the OP took the ENTIRE CONFERENCE HISTORY when compiling the numbers. The fact the UConn has achieved more in 22 years than 'Cuse has in 33 is WHY UConn is the top team.
Glad I could help you understand. Now, I do agree with you that 'Cuse is #2.

 

[whaler11]

This history book will look great in between my volumes on the WHA and ABA.

 

[Hi-Low]

With all due respect to UConn's post season achievements, which are clearly the best of the lot, the conference history is just that, the history of the entire conference, not just starting when UConn became good. Syracuse IS the face of the Big East, on a national level and from start to finish, its best program.
The Big East survived the first defections, it could not survive Syracuse leaving. The greatest programs in the HISTORY of the BE are SU, GT, UConn, Pitt and Nova. No one else really comes close to any length of success or great national prominence ( the Mullin teams were good for SJU, but since then, ?)
I for one will miss the Big East, and as a basketball guy I rue the American culture that worships football and has brought about the destruction of the BE. I hope you guys land on your feet.

The fact is postseason is how teams are judged....and it's not even close between Syracuse and UConn as Big East members.
Besides the 3 National Titles vs 1, UConn has made 9 Elite Eights to 5 for Syracuse. NCAA tourney record for UConn is 48-16, Syracuse 47-26. I would say Georgetown has a much better case for #2 then Syracuse with their 8 Elite Eights. As far as their "length of success" Syracuse was fairly ordinary in the tourney during the 80's as they missed it or lost by their second game 7 times and made 1 final 4. From 1990 on UConn dwarfs everyone else. There is nothing wrong with being #3 in the Big East but that is how "HISTORY" will remember Syracuse.

 

[omniorange]

The fact is postseason is how teams are judged....and it's not even close between Syracuse and UConn as Big East members.
Besides the 3 National Titles vs 1, UConn has made 9 Elite Eights to Syracuse's 5, tourney record for UConn is 48-16, Syracuse 47-26. I would say Georgetown has a much better case for #2 then Syracuse with their 8 Elite Eights. As far as "length of success" Syracuse was fairly ordinary in the tourney during the 80's as they missed it or bowed out in their second game 7 times, and made 1 final 4. From 1990 on UConn dwarfs everyone else. There is nothing wrong with being #3 in the Big East but that is how history will remember Syracuse.

And if tourney success is your one sole criteria, then I concede, UConn has been better.

But, if I choose to factor in overall success within the conference in my criteria, then the ONLY factor keeping UConn ahead of SU is 3 to 1. If, and that is a huge IF, we were fortunate enough to win a second NC this year then (and only then) SU's overall success in the conference is enough to push the Orange ahead of the Huskies, imho.

And that is not an unreasonable stance to take.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Hi-Low]

And if tourney success is your one sole criteria, then I concede, UConn has been better.

But, if I choose to factor in overall success within the conference in my criteria, then the ONLY factor keeping UConn ahead of SU is 3 to 1. If, and that is a huge IF, we were fortunate enough to win a second NC this year then (and only then) SU's overall success in the conference is enough to push the Orange ahead of the Huskies, imho.

And that is not an unreasonable stance to take.

Cheers,
Neil

You have the right to think whatever you want but the 3 titles aren't the ONLY factor. Syracuse was better than UConn in the 80's, but what did those 10 years get you besides more loses in the tourney and 0 national titles. Also how can Syracuse be considered the best overall BE team when Georgetown was the best team in the 80's and UConn was the best team in the 90's and 00's? If you win a title this year you can be #2....congrats! It's my list I make the rules.

 

[omniorange]

You have the right to think whatever you want but the 3 titles aren't the ONLY factor. Syracuse was better than UConn in the 80's, but what did those 10 years get you besides more loses in the tourney and 0 national titles. Also how can Syracuse be considered the best overall BE team when Georgetown was the best team in the 80's and UConn was the best team in the 90's and 00's? If you win a title this year you can be #2....congrats! It's my list I make the rules.

Looking at this solely within conference:

Georgetown was the best conference team in the 80s, with Syracuse and St. Johns vying for second and third.
UConn was clearly the best team in the conference in the 90s, with Syracuse clearly second.
Pitt was the best team in the conference in the 21st century winning 4 regular season titles and 2 BET with UConn and SU nip and tuck for second and third.

Which team was there each and every decade?

Now when you factor in the NCAAs, UConn goes to the top. But if we win the title this year, we go to the top because 3 vs 1 isn't as big a deal as 3 vs 2. It just isn't.

It's the same reason why whenever we win our 2nd NC, if UConn still only has 3 we leap-frog you in terms of all-time programs due to our regular season wins record. And there are some who believe even with the 3 vs 1, we are the better all-time program now. But I give more weight to the 3 vs 1.

Cheers,
Neil