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Message: [QUOTE="bballnut90, post: 2776708, member: 2117"] Most topics are centered around top teams, so I thought I might spark some discussion on programs that have just have not been able to find any success in women's basketball the last 15-20 years. I did some research and was able to compile this list of power 5 programs that have not been able to make a Sweet 16 since 2000, or have had a pattern of losing since then. I'm familiar with some programs, but am hoping others will chime in and give their take why a specific program hasn't been able to find success: [B]ACC Teams:[/B] Clemson-14 consecutive losing seasons, last Sweet 16 was 1999 Virginia Tech-14 consecutive seasons with a losing record in conference play, last Sweet 16 was 1999 Virginia-storied program in the 90s, last Sweet 16 was 2000 Wake Forest-last NCAA appearance was 1988 Clemson/Virginia Tech/Wake Forest have not had strong programs on the men's side for quite some time, so I'm not surprised to see those teams struggle. Wake had a great player in Dearica Hamby but wasn't able to capitalize. Not making the tournament since 1988 is the longest drought of any Power 5 team. Virginia is a surprise though. They have such a storied program with Dawn Staley in the 90s and continued to put together great teams until 1996 or 1997. They had a standout in Monica Wright for 4 years and couldn't make the Sweet 16. They've made several tournaments but haven't been able to get over the hump. [B]Onto the Big 12:[/B] TCU-never made a Sweet 16, did make NCAA tournament every year from 2001-2010 besides 2008 West Virginia-made 2nd round in 8 of last 11 years, program last made Sweet 16 in 1992 Pretty steady success in the Big 12 in terms of putting together teams that can consistently make the Sweet 16. TCU is a new addition to the conference so they're a relatively new Power Conference team. Very surprised to see that West Virginia hasn't made a Sweet 16 despite being a steady program for the last 10+ years. Mike Carey is a well known coach, but they've lost 8 straight 2nd round games. Can they get over the hump next year with Rice back? [B]Big 10:[/B] Illinois-last made NCAA tournament in 2003, last Sweet 16 was 1998 Wisconsin-last tournament was 2010, has never made Sweet 16 and only made 2nd round twice Indiana-made tournament in 2016, first appearance in 14 years. Michigan-has never made Sweet 16, has had good teams the last several years under Barnes-Arico Northwestern-made tournament in 2015, first time since 1997. Big 10 has been by far the worst PC over the last 18 years. 0 titles, and most of their recent success can be attributed to Maryland joining the conference. No surprise about Northwestern not finding success, they're weak in most sports due to having a smaller budget. I am surprised that Wisconsin has been the 2nd worst team in the conference. They have not been able to find a winning coach and they've never made a Sweet 16. This is especially surprising how successful they've been on the men's side. The coaches they've had (Lisa Stone/Tsipis/Bobbi Kelsey) all had great pedigrees before coming to Wisconsin and couldn't turn the program around. Michigan has made good progress under Kim Barnes-Arico and they could definitely be a Sweet 16 team in the next few years. Illinois has fallen off the map ever since Grentz left, and Indiana has had some recent success even if they haven't made the Sweet 16. [B]Pac 12:[/B] Washington State-last made tournament in 1991 Arizona-last made tournament in 2005, made 2nd round. Only Sweet 16 was in 1998. USC-hasn't made Sweet 16 since 1994 (with Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson). Has only played in 3 NCAA tournaments since 2000. USC is the big surprise here. Didn't realize they've been pretty bad for such a long time. They're one of the more storied programs in women's basketball history. Didn't find success with Michael Cooper, Mark Trahk (on his 2nd stint now) and Cynthia Cooper. Washington State is usually a bottom feeder in the PAC, and Arizona had some good teams with Shawntinice Polk but has been pretty bad the last several years. [B]SEC:[/B] Alabama-hasn't made the tournament since 1999. Was a consistent top 10-15 team in the mid-late 90s. Arkansas-no Sweet 16s since 1998 when they made the Final Four as a 9 seed. Has made several tournament appearances since 2000. Auburn-no Sweet 16s since 1996. Has made 6 tournaments since 2000. Florida-no Sweet 16 since 1998. Has been a regular NCAA tournament team in the 2000s. Was a 3 seed in 2001 with a good roster but lost at home in the 2nd round. Alabama is a surprise to me, especially since they were so good in the 90s. Auburn is also a surprise. They won the SEC in 2009 with Dewanna Bonner as a senior but had a rough draw as a 2 seed, playing at Rutgers (with Prince/Vaughn) and lost in the 2nd round. I also would've thought that Florida would've made a Sweet 16 over the last 18 years but they haven't. Not surprised by Arkansas. [/QUOTE]

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