Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Ranking the current status of every old Big East team

By Brian Foley

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Matthew Moyer #2 of the Syracuse Orange takes a shot against Jalen Adams #4 of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Matthew Moyer #2 of the Syracuse Orange takes a shot against Jalen Adams #4 of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles against Lamont West #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles against Lamont West #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. West Virginia*

Big 12: 145-74 (62-47). 4 NCAA appearances (3 Sweet 16s)

2. Notre Dame

ACC: 118-60 (51-39) 3 NCAA appearances (2 Elite Eights)

1. Villanova

Big East: 165-21 (77-13), 5 NCAA appearances (2 National Championships)

Villanova is the clear winner of the Big East reformation. The Wildcats often fielded talented squads in the old version of the conference, but the new Big East coincided with some of Villanova’s best teams. Villanova grabbed a one or a two seed each of the past five years, and capped off two phenomenal seasons with national championships. Jay Wright and the Wildcats have solidified the new Big East with one of the most dominant stretches in college basketball history, and look to continue this run as long as Wright remains on campus.

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But while Nova has become the envy of nearly every program in the nation, Notre Dame and West Virginia have quietly elevated their status as well. The Irish have had quality squads every season in the ACC, and probably would’ve made the tournament in all five seasons had it not been for Jerian Grant’s suspension in 2013-14 and Bonzie Colson’s injury in 2017-18. In between, Notre Dame advanced to consecutive Elite Eights and won the 2015 ACC Tournament, a run that rivals any stretch in program history since the 1970s.

In Morgantown, Bob Huggins and West Virginia are right there. The Mountaineers have been a five seed or better in each of the past four seasons, moving to the Sweet 16 three times. If Kansas ever slips within the Big 12, West Virginia will be in position to take over. The Mountaineers have an identity and a cult hero leading their program.

One thing to notice about all three of these programs – the stability at the head coaching position. Wright, Huggins, and Mike Brey have a combined 46 seasons at their respective schools and show no signs of going anywhere.

Very few schools are a final destination for head coaches, and though these programs have respected histories, they don’t quite qualify for blue blood status (sorry Villanova fans). But these schools managed to land the right man, and keep him around for the long haul. Conference affiliation aside, coaching consistency is the real reason these programs have risen to the top.

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Louisville, UConn, and Syracuse could certainly jump in front of Notre Dame and West Virginia, but for now, coaching questions and, in UConn’s case, conference uncertainty keep them a tier behind.

*West Virginia has been a Big 12 member for six seasons

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