An Analysis by Dan Hurley: Determining the Appropriate Number of Big East Teams for the NCAA Tournament

Dan Hurley, the coach of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team, believes that the Big East conference deserves to have six teams in the NCAA Tournament. He argues that if they receive fewer bids, it would be disrespectful to the league. Hurley’s belief is based on his observation that some conferences have manipulated the NET ranking system, which is a major metric used by the selection committee. He claims that some programs in these conferences, which are considered the best, have not beaten any significant opponents in their non-conference games.

Hurley’s comments come after UConn won the Big East Tournament, securing their spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, it remains uncertain how many teams from the conference will receive bids due to the presence of several “bid-stealers.” Florida Atlantic and Dayton, both projected at-large teams, were eliminated early from their conference tournaments, reducing the number of available at-large spots. Additionally, teams in the ACC and Pac-12 conferences, such as N.C. State and Oregon, respectively, are also expected to compete for at-large bids.

This uncertainty impacts bubble teams from the Big East, including St. John’s, Seton Hall, and Providence. Some bracketologists believe that the conference may only receive three bids, with Connecticut, Marquette, and Creighton being the likely selections.

Hurley expresses his concern about the potential exclusion of Seton Hall from the tournament, stating that it would be embarrassing and indicative of a larger problem regarding the respect given to the Big East conference. He highlights Providence’s victories over Wisconsin and their upcoming appearance in the Big Ten championship game as evidence of their deserving a bid. Hurley also emphasizes that St. John’s has competed against teams in non-conference play that are likely to make it to the tournament.

Overall, Hurley argues that the Big East should be a six-bid league this year, based on the accomplishments and quality wins of its teams. He believes that any fewer bids would be disrespectful to the conference and its competitive standing. As the NCAA Tournament selection approaches, fans and analysts alike will eagerly await the committee’s decision and see if Hurley’s argument holds weight.