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Here is how the Big East has fared since the current NCAA Tournament format was
adopted in 1985:
The Big East has received 92 tournament bids in the 17 years of
six-round play. This averages between five and six bids (5.41) per year.
A total of 34 Big East entrants (37 percent) have advanced to at
least the Sweet 16. Overall, the Big East has comprised exactly
one-eighth (12.5 percent) of the total regional berths since 1985.
Eight Big East teams have advanced to the Final Four in this era,
including a record three (Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's) in 1985.
The conference also had multiple Final Four entries in 1987 (Syracuse,
Providence). In those two seasons, the Big East posted a staggering
32-10 (.762) record in NCAA play. Its 18-5 performance in 1985 is the
best one-year showing by a conference in NCAA Tournament history.
The eight Big East Final Four slots have been occupied by seven
different member schools. Only Syracuse (1987, 1996) has repeated.
Two Big East members -- Villanova (1985) and Connecticut (1999) -- have won
national championships since the tourney expanded. Georgetown (1984)
captured its lone title in the final pre-64 bracket.
The most "overachieving" Big East team of this era, and arguably the greatest such team in NCAA history, are the 1985 Villanova Wildcats. The eighth-seeded 'Cats shocked the world by become the lowest seed to ever win the national championship. Notable Big East "underachievers" including St. John's (1986) and Syracuse (1991). The '86 Johnnies were a No. 1 seed, upset by Auburn in the second round, and the '91 Orangemen became the first No. 2 seed to lose to a No. 15 seed (Richmond) in the first round.
The Big East's overall NCAA winning percentage from 1985-2001 is .627
(141-84). Its "Bracketology Score" is 1.037. (Translation: NCAA games played divided by number of games conference members were seeded to play; average score equals 1.000).
Joe Lunardi is the resident "bracketologist" for ESPN.com. He may be reached at jlunardi@home.com.
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