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IN FOOTBALL, MEN'S & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL THE BIG EAST RULES
Has the once maligned Big East Conference finally established dominance over the ACC, the Big Ten and the SEC? Big East football was certainly impressive this past season (see chart at bottom of page). However, Big East prominence this year in men's and women's basketball is also in a great position.
For example, a total of EIGHT Big East women's teams earned positions in the NCAA play-offs this year, compared to six for the ACC, three for the Big 10, and four for the SEC.
So, how did the Big East Men's basketball teams end the season, you ask? Another EIGHT Big East men's teams earned positions in the NCAA play-offs, compared to just four for the ACC, four for the Big 10, and four for the SEC.
Of course, the larger question is - how did the various teams and conferences stack up after March Madness was over and national champions were crowned? See the two charts below.
SIDEBAR: Obviously, the Big East is not just a power in football and men's basketball, but a real force in women' basketball and other sports as well. What is the key to Big East success? In recent years, this conference has demanded consistency and strength from all its schools in the 3 top sports (football, women's basketball, men's basketball). Such is not the case with the ACC, the Big 10, and the SEC - all of whom suffer with too many one sport schools and/or under-performing programs.
So how would Maryland, Kentucky and Penn State fit with the Big East? These schools have rich traditions that could truly thrive in the fresh, highly competitive, media-rich Big East. However, should these schools seriously consider such a move, they must first commit to a consistently high level of play in the top 3 sports - to be an asset to any conference.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAY-OFF PERFORMANCE - 2008 Note that average winning percentage in the play-offs for the Big East is 64%; for Big 10 - 24%; for ACC - 62.3%; for SEC - 79%. WVU met or exceeded the play-off performance of all Big 10 teams; all ACC teams except UNC, Maryland & Duke; all SEC teams except LSU & Tenn. . (SEE MEN'S BELOW)
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