Sunday, March 29, 2015

Big 12 misses Elite Eight for Third Straight Year

For the third consecutive year, there was no Big 12 team in the Elite Eight.  It is the second time that this has happened in the Big 12.  The other time was from 1997 to 1999.  However, in 1999, the Big 12 did not have a 1 or 2 seed, so there was not an expectation to reach the Elite 8 that year.

The Big 12 becomes the second conference to miss Elite Eight three consecutive years while having a team that was expected to reach the Elite Eight (by having a 1 or 2 seed).  The Pac 10 (now Pac 12) missed 3 straight from 1989 to 1991.

Here is the number of years each conference has missed the Elite Eight with the number of years having a 1 or 2 seed (since 1985):
  • Atlantic Coast - missed 3 out of 30 - never in consecutive apperances
  • Atlantic Ten - missed 3 out of 7 - never in consecutive appearances
  • Big East - missed 5 out of 28 - has missed the last two, first time with 2 consecutive
  • Big Eight/Big Twelve - missed 10 out of 28 - missed the last three years
  • Big Ten - missed 8 out of 26 - last time missed two straight was 1985-86
  • Big West - missed 0 out of 3
  • Conference USA - missed 4 out of 8 - missed three consecutive appearances with a 1 or 2 seed, but not in consecutive years (1998, 2000, 2002)
  • Great Midwest - missed 0 out of 1
  • Metro - missed 0 out of 2
  • Missouri Valley - missed 1 out of 1 - 2014 Wichita State
  • Mountain West - missed 1 out of 1 - 2011 San Diego State
  • Pac 10/12 - missed 7 out of 22 - missed three consecutive years with a 1 or 2 seed from 1989 to 1991
  • Southeastern - missed 4 out of 24
  • Southwest - missed 0 out of 1
  • Sun Belt - missed 1 out of 1 - 1985 VCU
  • West Coast - missed 2 out of 3
  • Western Athletic - missed 1 out of 2

Friday, March 27, 2015

Michigan State Elite Eight Facts

Michigan State defeats Oklahoma 62-58 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Michigan State is in their 13th Elite Eight and their 2nd consecutive.

They are 8-4 in their previous 12 appearances.
  • Defeated Kentucky 80-68 in 1957
  • Lost to Louisville 88-81 in 1959
  • Lost to Kentucky 52-49 in 1978
  • Defeated Notre Dame 80-68 in 1979
  • Defeated Kentucky 73-66 in 1999
  • Defeated Iowa State 75-64 in 2000
  • Defeated Temple 69-62 in 2001
  • Lost to Texas 85-76 in 2003
  • Defeated Kentucky 94-88 in 2005
  • Defeated Louisville 64-52 in 2009
  • Defeated Tennessee 70-69 in 2010
  • Lost to Connecticut 60-54 in 2014
Michigan State's Elite Eight is Tom Izzo's 9th.  He is tied with Jim Calhoun for 8th all-time and 5th among active coaches.

With Michigan State and Wisconsin advancing to the Elite Eight, the Big Ten has multiple teams in the Elite Eight for the 3rd consecutive year.  It is the first time since 1999-2001 that they have had multiple Elite Eight teams in 3 straight years.

Michigan State is the second consecutive #7 seed to advance to the Elite Eight.  Connecticut advanced to the Elite Eight last year.  It is also the second consecutive year that a #7 will face a #4 in the East Regional Final.  Michigan State was the #4 seed last year.

It is the third consecutive year that a team from Michigan is in the Elite Eight.  That is the first time it has happened since 1999-2001.

Duke Elite Eight Facts

Duke defeated Utah 63-57 to advance to the Elite Eight

Duke is in their 20th Elite Eight and their first since 2013.

Duke is 15-4 in their 19 previous Elite Eights.  Their winning percentage is the second best for teams that have been to at least 10 Elite Eights behind UCLA at 18-4.
  • Lost to New York 74-59 in 1960
  • Defeated St. Joseph's 73-59 in 1963
  • Defeated Connecticut 101-54 in 1964
  • Defeated Syracuse 91-81 in 1966
  • Defeated Villanova 90-72 in 1978
  • Lost to Purdue 68-60 in 1980
  • Defeated Navy 71-50 in 1986
  • Defeated Temple 63-53 in 1988
  • Defeated Georgetown 85-77 in 1989
  • Defeated Connecticut 79-78 in 1990
  • Defeated St. John's 78-61 in 1991
  • Defeated Kentucky 104-103 in 1992 in OT
  • Defeated Purdue 69-60 in 1994
  • Lost to Kentucky 86-84 in 1998
  • Defeated Temple 85-64 in 1999
  • Defeated Southern Cal 79-69 in 2001
  • Defeated Xavier 66-63 in 2004
  • Defeated Baylor 78-71 in 2010
  • Lost to Louisville 85-93 in 2013
Duke's Elite Eight appearance is Mike Krzyzewski's 14th.  He is one behind Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith for the most all-time.

Duke is the third ACC team to advance to the Elite Eight.  It is the third straight year that there has been a conference with three teams in the Elite Eight.  The Big Ten had 3 in 2014 and the Big East had 3 in 2013.  The last time the ACC had three teams in the Elite Eight was 1985.

Duke is the third #1 seed to advance to the Elite Eight.  It is the first time since 2012 that at least 3 #1 seeds have advanced to the Elite Eight.

Duke's Elite Eight marks a return for the state of North Carolina to the Elite Eight.  Last year, no team from the state of North Carolina was in the Elite Eight for the first time in 8 years.

Louisville Elite Eight Facts

Louisville defeated North Carolina State 75-65 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Louisville is in their 14th Elite Eight and their 3rd in 4 years.

Louisville is 10-3 in their 13 previous appearances.  It is the 3rd best winning percentages for teams that have been to at least 10 Elite Eights. Only UCLA (18-4) and Duke (15-4) have are better.
  • Defeated Michigan State 88-81 in 1959
  • Defeated Kansas State 72-65 in 1972
  • Defeated Maryland 96-82 in 1975
  • Defeated Louisiana State 86-66 in 1980
  • Defeated UAB 75-68 in 1982
  • Defeated Kentucky 80-68 in 1983
  • Defeated Auburn 84-76 in 1986
  • Lost to North Carolina 97-74 in 1997
  • Defeated West Virginia 93-85 in 2005
  • Lost to North Carolina 83-73 in 2008
  • Lost to Michigan State 64-52 in 2009
  • Defeated Florida 72-68 in 2012
  • Defeated Duke 85-63 in 2013
Louisville's Elite Eight is Rick Pitino's 12th appearance.  He is 5th all-time and 2nd among active coaches.  It is his 6th Elite Eight with Louisville which is second behind Denny Crum who had 7.

Louisville along with Notre Dame in the Elite Eight marks the first time since 2004 that the ACC has multiple teams in the Elite Eight.  It is the longest drought without multiple teams in the Elite Eight for the ACC since the tournament started allowing more than 1 team per conference in 1976.

It is the 5th consecutive year that a #4 seed has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.  It ties the longest such streak set from 1988 to 1992.

Gonzaga Elite Eight Facts

Gonzaga defeated UCLA 74-62 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Gonzaga is in their 2nd Elite Eight and their first since 1999.

Gonzaga is 0-1 in the Elite Eight.  They lost to Connecticut 67-62 in 1999.  Gonzaga came into the tournament tied for 9th with the most appearances (17) without a Final Four.  Conference mate Brigham Young has the most with 29.

Gonzaga's Elite Eight is the first for Mark Few in 16 tournament appearances.  He was tied with Fran Dunphy (currently at Temple) for the most tournaments with no Elite Eights.

The coach that he defeated, Steve Alford, now has 9 tournament appearances with no Elite Eight which is tied for 9th all-time and 4th among active coaches.

Gonzaga is the first team from the West Coast Conference to advance to the Elite Eight since Gonzaga last went in 1999.  It is the 16th overall.  San Francisco has the most Elite Eights among West Coast Conference members:
  • San Francisco 7
  • Santa Clara 4
  • Gonzaga 2
  • Loyola Marymount 1
  • Pacific 1
  • St. Mary's 1
With Gonzaga advancing to the Elite Eight, it is the 7th consecutive year that exactly 2 #2 seeds have advanced to the Elite Eight.

Gonzaga is the first team from the state of Washington to advance to the Elite Eight since Gonzaga last went in 1999.  It is the 8th overall.  Washington has the most Elite Eights:
  • Washington 4
  • Gonzaga 2
  • Seattle 1
  • Washington State 1

ACC Tournament Matchups

Tonight's game between Louisville and North Carolina State marks the 4th time that 2 teams from the ACC have played each other in the ACC tournament.  It is the earliest round that they have ever played.  The other 3 are:

  • North Carolina defeated Virginia 78-65 in the 1981 National Semifinals
  • North Carolina State defeated Virginia 63-63 in the 1983 Elite Eight
  • Duke defeated Maryland 95-84 in the 2001 National Semifinals

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Arizona Elite Eight Facts

Arizona defeated Xavier 68-60 to advance to the Elite Eight. 

Arizona is in their 11th Elite Eight and their 2nd consecutive.  It is the second time that Arizona has been to consecutive Elite Eights.  The other time was 1997-1998.

They are 4-6 in their previous 10 appearances.
  • Lost to UCLA  82-66 in 1976 
  • Defeated North Carolina 70-52 in 1988 
  • Defeated Missouri 92-72 in 1994 
  • Defeated Providence 96-92 in 1997 in OT 
  • Lost to Utah 76-51 in 1998 
  • Defeated Illinois 87-81 in 2001 
  • Lost to Kansas 78-75 in 2003 
  • Lost to Illinois 90-89 in 2005 in OT 
  • Lost to Connecticut 65-63 in 2011 
  • Lost to Wisconsin 64-63 in 2014 in OT 
Arizona’s Elite Eight is the 4th for Sean Miller and his 3rd with Arizona.  The 3 Elite Eights rank him 2nd all-time in Arizona history behind Lute Olson who has 7.


Arizona's appearance makes 2 consecutive years that a Pac 12 team has been in the Elite Eight.  It is the first time the Pac 12 has made consecutive appearances in the Elite Eight since 2008 when it had four consecutive years with an appearance.

Arizona will face Wisconsin in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.  It is the 9th time that two teams have faced each other in the Elite Eight in consecutive years.  However, it is the first time since the tournament started seeding in 1979.
  • Kentucky vs. St. John's (1951, 1952)
  • Kentucky vs. Ohio State (1961, 1962)
  • Cincinnati vs. Colorado (1962, 1963)
  • San Francisco vs. UCLA (1964, 1965)
  • Davidson vs. North Carolina (1968, 1969)
  • Santa Clara vs. UCLA (1968, 1969)
  • Long Beach State vs. UCLA (1971, 1972)
  • San Francisco vs. UCLA (1973, 1974)

Kentucky Elite Eight Facts

Kentucky defeated West Virginia 78-39 to advance to the Elite Eight.  It is their largest margin of victory ever in a Sweet Sixteen game.  Their previous high was 34 vs. Wake Forest in 1993.

Kentucky is in their 36th Elite Eight.  It is their 2nd consecutive and their 4th in 5 years.  Kentucky joins Wisconsin as the second team making a repeat appearance in the Elite Eight.  It is the 4th consecutive year that there has been at least two teams making consecutive appearances.

Kentucky is 16-19 in their previous 35 appearances.
  • Defeated Illinois 46-44 in 1942
  • Lost to Ohio State 45-37 in 1945
  • Defeated Columbia 76-53 in 1948
  • Defeated Villanova 85-72 in 1949
  • Defeated St. John's 59-43 in 1951
  • Lost to St. John's 64-57 in 1952
  • Lost to Iowa 89-77 in 1956
  • Lost to Michigan State 80-68 in 1957
  • Defeated Notre Dame 89-56 in 1958
  • Lost to Ohio State 87-74 in 1961
  • Lost to Ohio State 74-64 in 1962
  • Defeated Michigan 84-77 in 1966
  • Lost to Ohio State 82-81 in 1968
  • Lost to Jacksonville 106-100 in 1970
  • Lost to Florida State 73-54 in 1972
  • Lost to Indiana 72-65 in 1973
  • Defeated Indiana 92-90 in 1975
  • Lost to North Carolina 79-72 in 1977
  • Defeated Michigan State 52-49 in 1978
  • Lost to Louisville 80-68 in 1983 in OT
  • Defeated Illinois 54-51 in 1984
  • Lost to Louisiana State 59-57 in 1986
  • Lost to Duke 104-103 in 1992 in OT
  • Defeated Florida State 106-81 in 1993
  • Lost to North Carolina 74-61 in 1995
  • Defeated Wake Forest 83-63 in 1996
  • Defeated Utah 72-59 in 1997
  • Defeated Duke 86-84 in 1998
  • Lost to Michigan State 73-66 in 1999
  • Lost to Marquette 83-69 in 2003
  • Lost to Michigan State 94-88 in 2005 in 2OT
  • Lost to West Virginia 73-66 in 2010
  • Defeated North Carolina 76-69 in 2011
  • Defeated Baylor 82-70 in 2012
  • Defeated Michigan 75-72 in 2014
Kentucky's Elite Eight appearance is John Calipari's 10th which is 7th all-time and 4th among active coaches.  It is his 5th Elite Eight with Kentucky which ties him with Rick Pitino for 3rd all-time at Kentucky.  Adolph Rupp (15) and Joe Hall (6) are ahead of them.

Kentucky's win combined with Wisconsin's marks the first time since 2010 that there are multiple #1 seeds in the Elite Eight in consecutive years.

Kentucky's win marks the 6th consecutive year that an SEC team is in the Elite Eight.  It is the most since 2000 when they had a streak of 9 straight years.

Kentucky's win marks the 8th consecutive year that a team from Kentucky is in the Elite Eight.  It is the longest streak in the history of the state and the longest current streak.  The record is 22 straight by North Carolina from 1980 to 2001.

Wisconsin Elite Eight Facts

Wisconsin defeated North Carolina 79-72 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Wisconsin is in their 6th Elite Eight and their 2nd consecutive.  It is the first time in school history that Wisconsin has been in the Elite Eight in consecutive years.  This is the 9th consecutive year that there has been at least one repeat Elite Eight team.

They are 3-2 in their previous 5 appearances.
  • Defeated Dartmouth 51-50 in 1941
  • Lost to CCNY 70-56 in 1947
  • Defeated Purdue 64-60 in 2000
  • Lost to North Carolina 88-82 in 2005
  • Defeated Arizona 64-63 in 2014 in OT
Wisconsin's Elite Eight is Bo Ryan's 3rd Elite Eight, all of them with Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's appearance makes it 4 consecutive years that a Big Ten team has been in the Elite Eight.  There have been 7 Big Ten teams in the Elite Eight over the last 4 years.  (Michigan State could make it 8.)  The four straight years is the most since 2003 when there was a Big Ten team in the Elite Eight for 5 straight.

 

Notre Dame Elite Eight Facts

Notre Dame defeated Wichita State 81-70 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Notre Dame is in their 6th Elite Eight and their first since 1979.  The 36 years between Elite Eights is the 12th longest in tournament history.  See Blog for list of other teams.

They are 1-4 in their previous 5 appearances.
  • Lost to Indiana 79-66 in 1953
  • Lost to Penn State 71-63 in 1954
  • Lost to Kentucky 89-56 in 1958
  • Defeated DePaul 84-64 in 1978
  • Lost to Michigan State 80-68 in 1979
Notre Dame's Elite Eight appearance is Mike Brey's first in 12 appearances.  Brey was tied for third all-time with the most appearances without an Elite Eight appearance coming into the tournament behind Mark Few and Fran Dunphy who had 15 each.

It is the third consecutive year that a coach will be making his first Elite Eight appearance.  Buzz Williams, Marquette and Gregg Marshall, Wichita State made their first appearance in 2013.  Kevin Ollie, Connecticut and Archie Miller, Dayton made their first appearance in 2014.

Notre Dame's Elite Eight appearance marks a return for a #3 seed after a one-year absence.  A #3 seed had made the Elite Eight for 11 straight years before all four missing last year.

Notre Dame's Elite Eight appearance also marks a return for the ACC.  Before that, an ACC team had made the Elite Eight for 7 consecutive years. (Although it is guaranteed that an ACC team would be in the Elite Eight since North Carolina State is playing Louisville.)


Monday, March 23, 2015

Failing to make Sweet Sixteen as Top 2 seed

Kansas failed to make the Sweet Sixteen as a Top 2 seed for a record 6th time.  However, they have had many opportunities.  So the question was posed, what percentage of time have they failed.  Here are teams that have failed the highest percentage of times (minimum 5 times with a Top 2 seed):


Team Top Two Seeds First Weekend Losses Pct.
Cincinnati 5 3 60.0%
Purdue 5 2 40.0%
Kansas 18 6 33.3%
Georgetown 7 2 28.6%
Syracuse 7 2 28.6%
Arizona 12 3 25.0%
Oklahoma 7 1 14.3%
Duke 22 3 13.6%
Ohio State 8 1 12.5%
North Carolina 17 2 11.8%
Connecticut 11 1 9.1%
Kentucky 15 1 6.7%
Indiana 6 0 0.0%
Michigan State 6 0 0.0%
UCLA 6 0 0.0%
Memphis 5 0 0.0%

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Sweet Sixteen Quick Facts

Number of Sweet Sixteen Appearances with Sweet Sixteen Record for this years teams
Kentucky 42 (31-10)
UCLA 33 (21-11)
North Carolina 31 (24-6)
Duke 28 (19-8)
Louisville 28 (13-14)
Michigan State 19 (12-6)
Arizona 18 (10-7)
Notre Dame 16 (5-10)
Utah 16 (5-10)
North Carolina State 13 (5-7)
Oklahoma 10 (5-4)
West Virginia 9 (3-5)
Wisconsin 8 (3-4)
Xavier 7 (2-4)
Wichita State 6 (4-1)
Gonzaga 6 (1-4)
 
Consecutive Sweet Sixteen Appearances
Louisville 4
Michigan State 4
Arizona 3
Kentucky 2
UCLA 2
Wisconsin 2

Sweet Sixteen Droughts Snapped with Last Year in Sweet Sixteen
Notre Dame - 2003
Utah - 2005
Gonzaga - 2009
Oklahoma - 2009
West Virginia - 2010
North Carolina - 2012
North Carolina State - 2012
Xavier - 2012
Duke - 2013
Wichita State - 2013

Longest Sweet Sixteen Streaks Snapped
Florida 4
Michigan 2

Number of Teams by Conference (Record in Parenthesis)
Atlantic Coast 5 (11-1)
Pacific Twelve 3 (7-1)
Big Ten 2 (7-5)
Big Twelve 2 (5-5)
Big East 1(5-5)
Missouri Valley 1 (3-1)
Southeastern 1 (4-4)
West Coast 1 (2-1)

The 5 Sweet Sixteens by the ACC ties the record for the most set by the Big East in 2009.

Number of Teams by State (Record in Parenthesis)
North Carolina 3 (6-1)
Kentucky 2 (4-0)
Arizona 1 (2-0)
California 1 (3-2)
Indiana 1 (3-4)
Kansas 1 (3-1)
Michigan1 (2-0)
Ohio 1 (6-3)
Oklahoma 1 (2-1)
Utah 1 (2-1)
Washington 1 (2-1)
West Virginia 1 (2-0)
Wisconsin 1 (2-0)

Sweet Sixteen Tournament Rematches

Midwest
  • Kentucky is 1-1 vs. West Virginia
    • West Virginia defeated Kentucky 73-66 in the 2010 Elite Eight
    • Kentucky defeated West Virginia 71-63 in the 2011 Round of 32
  • Notre Dame and Wichita State have never met in the tournament
West
  • North Carolina defeated Wisconsin 88-82 in the 2005 Elite Eight
  • Xavier and Arizona have never met in the tournament
East
  • North Carolina State and Louisville have never met in the tournament
  • Michigan State defeated Oklahoma 54-46 in the 1999 Sweet Sixteen
South
  • Duke defeated Utah 79-77 in the 1966 National Third Place Game
  • UCLA defeated Gonzaga 73-71 in the 2006 Sweet Sixteen

Most times upset by lower seed

With the loss to Wichita State, it marks the 10th time that Bill Self has loss to a lower seeded team in NCAA Tournament History.  It ranks him number 11 all-time.

Most times upset by coach
Coach SumOfLosses
Krzyzewski, Mike 20
Knight, Bob 15
Boeheim, Jim 15
Olson, Luther 14
Sutton, Eddie 12
Keady, Gene 12
Williams, Roy 11
Barnes, Rick 11
Smith, Dean 11
Huggins, Bob 11
Self, Bill 10


All of Bill Self's losses have been since 2000.  In that time frame, he has the 2nd most losses to a lower seeded team.


Most times upset by coach since 2000
Coach SumOfLosses
Krzyzewski, Mike 11
Self, Bill 10
Donovan, Billy 8
Barnes, Rick 8
Boeheim, Jim 7
Matta, Thad 7
Sampson, Kelvin 6
Ryan, Bo 6
Dixon, Jamie 6
Thompson, John III 6

Both 1 and 2 seed missing Sweet Sixteen in Same Regional

Both #1 Villanova and #2 Virginia were defeated in the Round of 32 in the East Regional.  This marks the 6th time since the field expanded to 64 that both the #1 and #2 seeds failed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
  • 1990 Midwest - #1 Oklahoma, #2 Purdue
  • 1992 Midwest - #1 Kansas, #2 Southern California
  • 2000 South - #1 Stanford, #2 Cincinnati
  • 2000 West - #1 Arizona, #2 St. John's
  • 2004 Midwest - #1 Kentucky, #2 Gonzaga
  • 2015 East - #1 Villanova, #2 Virginia

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Missing Sweet 16 in consecutive years as 1 or 2 seed.

With Villanova and Kansas losing, they miss the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year as a 1 or 2 seed.  They become the 5th and 6th teams to accomplish that feat and the first since 2000.

DePaul:
  • 1980 #1 DePaul lost to #8 UCLA in Round of 32
  • 1981 #1 DePaul lost to #9 St. Joseph's in Round of 32
  • 1982 #1 DePaul lost to #8 Boston College in Round of 32
Oregon State
  • 1980 #2 Oregon State lost to #10 Lamar in Round of 32
  • 1981 #1 Oregon State lost to #8 Kansas State in Round of 32
Michigan
  • 1985 #1 Michigan lost to #8 Villanova in Round of 32
  • 1986 #2 Michigan lost to #7 Iowa State in Round of 32
Stanford
  • 1999 #2 Stanford lost to #10 Gonzaga in Round of 32
  • 2000 #1 Stanford lost to #8 North Carolina in Round of 32 
Villanova
  • 2014 #2 Villanova lost to #7 Connecticut in Round of 32
  • 2015 #1 Villanova lost to #8 North Carolina State in Round of 32 
 Kansas
  • 2014 #2 Kansas lost to #10 Stanford in Round of 32
  • 2015 #2 Kansas lost to #7 Wichita State in Round of 32
 

Round of 32 Quick Facts

Consecutive Round of 32 Appearances

Kansas 9
Gonzaga 7
North Carolina 5
Louisville 4
Michigan State 4
Arizona 3
Oregon 3
San Diego State 3
Wichita State 3
Dayton 2
Kentucky 2
UCLA 2
Villanova 2
Virginia 2
Wisconsin 2

Round of 32 Droughts Snapped with Last Year in Round of 32
Georgia State - 2001
Iowa - 2001
UAB - 2005
Utah - 2005
Arkansas - 2008
Oklahoma - 2009
Maryland - 2010
Northern Iowa - 2010
Notre Dame - 2011
West Virginia - 2011
Cincinnati - 2012
Georgetown - 2012
North Carolina State - 2012
Xavier - 2012
Butler - 2013
Duke - 2013
Ohio State - 2013

Every team in the Round of 32 has been there before.  It is the first time since 2011 that every school has been in the Round of 32 before.

Longest Round of 32 Streaks Snapped
Syracuse 6
Florida 4
Creighton 3
Iowa State 3
Saint Louis 3

Number of Teams by Conference (Record in Parenthesis)

Atlantic Coast 6 (6-0)
Big Ten 5 (5-2)
Big East 4 (4-2)
Pacific Twelve 4 (4-0)
Big Twelve 3 (3-4)
Missouri Valley 2 (2-0)
Southeastern 2 (3-3)
American Athletic 1 (1-1)
Atlantic Ten 1 (2-2)
Conference USA 1 (1-0)
Mountain West 1 (1-2)
Sun Belt 1 (1-0)
West Coast 1 (1-1)

Number of Teams by State (Record in Parenthesis)

Ohio 4 (5-0)
North Carolina 3 (3-1)
California 2 (2-1)
Indiana 2 (2-3)
Iowa 2 (2-1)
Kansas 2 (2-0)
Kentucky 2 (2-0)
Alabama 1 (1-0)
Arizona 1 (1-0)
Arkansas 1 (1-0)
District of Columbia 1 (1-0)
Georgia 1 (1-1)
Maryland 1 (1-0)
Michigan 1 (1-0)
Oklahoma 1 (1-1)
Oregon 1 (1-0)
Pennsylvania 1 (2-2)
Utah 1 (1-1)
Virginia 1 (2-2)
Washington 1 (1-1)
West Virginia 1 (1-0)
Wisconsin 1 (1-0)

Friday, March 20, 2015

Sunday Round of 32 Rematches

Omaha
  • Wichita State defeated Kansas 66-65 in the 1981 Sweet Sixteen
  • Wisconsin defeated Oregon 85-77 in the 2014 Round of 32

Charlotte
  • Michigan State defeated Virginia 61-59 in the 2014 Sweet Sixteen
Columbus
  • Maryland defeated West Virginia 102-77 in the 1984 Round of 32 
  • Dayton defeated Oklahoma 89-85 in the 1984 Round of 32

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Saturday Round of 32 Rematches



Louisville
  • Kentucky defeated Cincinnati 69-60 in the 2005 Round of 32
  • UCLA defeated UAB 68-56 in the 1990 Round of 64
Portland
  • Ohio State defeated Arizona 73-70 in the 2013 Sweet Sixteen
Jacksonville
  • North Carolina is 2-2 vs. Arkansas
    • Arkansas defeated North Carolina 96-73 in the 1990 Sweet Sixteen
    • North Carolina defeated Arkansas 80-74 in the 1993 Sweet Sixteen
    • Arkansas defeated North Carolina 75-68 in the 1995 National Semifinals
    • North Carolina defeated Arkansas 108-77 in the 2008 Round of 32
Pittsburgh
  • North Carolina State defeated Villanova 67-62 in the 1951 Sweet Sixteen

Two #14 seeds winning in Round of 64

2015 marks the 3rd time that two #14 seeds have won in the Round of 64. 

1986:
  • #14 Cleveland State 83 #3 Indiana 79
  • #14 Arkansas-Little Rock 90 #3 Notre Dame 83
 1995:
  • #14 Weber State 79 #3 Michigan State 72
  • #14 Old Dominion 89 #3 Villanova 81
 2015:
  • #14 UAB 60 #3 Iowa State 59
  • #14 Georgia State 57 #3 Baylor 56

Losing as a #2 and #3 seed in the Round of 64

With Iowa State's 60-59 loss to UAB in the first round, they become the 6th team to lose as a #2 seed and #3 seed in Round of 64.  Here are the teams that have "accomplished" that dubious feat:

  • Arizona (#2 vs. Santa Clara - 1993, #3 vs. East Tennessee State - 1992)
  • Duke (#2 vs. Lehigh - 2012, #3 vs. Mercer - 2014)
  • Georgetown (#2 vs. Florida Gulf Coast - 2013, #3 vs. Ohio - 2010)
  • Iowa State (#2 vs. Hampton - 2001, #3 vs. UAB - 2014)
  • Missouri (#2 vs. Norfolk State - 20112, #3 vs. Northern Iowa -1990)
  • South Carolina (#2 vs. Coppin State - 1997, #3 vs. Richmond - 1998)
UAB's win marks the third straight year a #14 seed has won a Round of 64 game.  The record for most consecutive years with a #14 victory is 7 - happened 8 times from 1986 to 1992.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Longest time between consecutive appearances by Round

Longest time between consecutive Round of 32 appearances:

  • Morehead State - 50 (1961, 2011)
  • Oregon - 41 (1961, 2002)
  • Butler - 39 (1962, 2001)
  • Miami, Fla - 39 (1960, 1999)
  • Santa Clara - 39 (1954, 1993)
  • Davidson - 38 (1970, 2008)
  • Manhattan - 37 (1958, 1995)
  • San Diego State - 35 (1976, 2011)
  • Oklahoma State - 33 (1958, 1991)
  • George Washington - 32 (1961, 1993)
  • Bradley - 31 (1955, 1986)
  • Montana - 31 (1975, 2006)
  • California - 30 (1960, 1990)
  • Massachusetts - 30 (1962, 1992)
Longest time between consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances
  • La Salle - 58 (1955, 2013)
  • Cornell - 56 (1954, 2010)
  • Bradley - 51 (1955, 2006)
  • St. Mary's - 51 (1959, 2010)
  • Ohio - 48 (1964, 2012)
  • Penn State - 46 (1955, 2001)
  • Oregon - 42 (1960, 2002)
  • Butler - 41 (1962, 2003)
  • USC - 40 (1961, 2001)
  • Davidson - 39 (1969, 2008)
  • Tulsa - 39 (1955, 1994)
  • West Virginia - 35 (1963, 1998)
Longest time between consecutive Elite Eight appearances
  • Baylor  - 60 (1950, 2010)
  • Iowa State - 56 (1944, 2000)
  • Stanford - 56 (1942, 1998)
  • Wisconsin - 53 (1947, 2000)
  • USC - 47 (1954, 2001)
  • West Virginia (1959, 2005)
  • Texas - 43 (1947, 1990)
  • Oregon - 42  (1960, 2002)
  • Davidson - 39 (1969, 2008)
  • Oklahoma - 38 (1947, 1985)
  • Georgetown - 37 (1943, 1980)
  • DePaul - 35 (1943, 1978)
  • Pittsburgh - 35 (1974, 2009)
  • Pittsburgh - 33 (1941, 1974)
Longest time between consecutive Final Four appearances
  • Wisconsin - 59 (1941, 2000)
  • Stanford - 56 (1942, 1998)
  • Texas - 56 (1947, 2003)
  • West Virginia - 51 (1959, 2010)
  • Wichita State - 48 (1965, 2013)
  • Oklahoma State - 44 (1951, 1995)
  • Oklahoma - 41 (1947, 1988)
  • Georgetown - 39 (1943, 1982)
  • Illinois - 37 (1952, 1989)
  • DePaul - 36 (1943, 1979)
  • Arkansas - 33 (1945, 1978)
  • St. John's - 33 (1952, 1985)
  • Utah - 32 (1966, 1998)
  • Villanova - 32 (1939, 1971)
  • Ohio State - 31 (1968, 1999)
Longest time between consecutive Championship Game appearances
  • Utah - 54 (1944, 1998)
  • Ohio State - 45 (1962, 2007)
  • Oklahoma - 41 (1947, 1988)
  • Georgetown - 39 (1943, 1982)
  • Memphis - 35 (1973, 2008)
  • Kansas - 31 (1957, 1988)
  • Louisville - 27 (1986, 2013)
  • Indiana - 23 (1953, 1976)
  • Michigan State - 21 (1979, 2000)
  • Ohio State - 21 (1939, 1960)
  • Michigan - 20 (1993, 2013)
  • Kentucky - 18 (1978, 1996)
  • Indiana - 15 (1987, 2002)
  • UCLA - 15 (1980, 1995)
Longest time between consecutive Championships
  • Kansas - 36 (1952, 1988)
  • Louisville - 27 (1986, 2013)
  • North Carolina - 25 (1957, 1982)
  • Indiana - 23 (1953, 1976)
  • Michigan State - 21 (1979, 2000)
  • Kansas - 20 (1998, 2008)
  • Kentucky - 20 (1958, 1978)
  • UCLA - 20 (1975, 1995)
  • Kentucky - 18 (1978, 1996)
  • Kentucky - 14 (1998, 2012)
  • Indiana - 13 (1940, 1953)
  • North Carolina - 12 (1993, 2005)
  • North Carolina - 11 (1982, 1993)
 

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Real "First Round" Tournament Rematches

The following games in the Round of 64 are re-matches from previous tournaments:

Midwest Regional
  • Maryland defeated Valparaiso 82-60 in the 1999 Round of 64
West Regional
  • Oregon defeated Oklahoma State 68-55 in the 2013 Round of 64
 

Sweet Sixteen streaks

Only 3 of this year's tournament teams have been to 2 or more consecutive Sweet Sixteens.  Out of last year's Sweet Sixteen teams, 11 are in this year's tournament.

Here are the teams that were in last year's Sweet Sixteen and their current streak of Sweet Sixteen appearances:

  • Florida - 4 Not in Tournament
  • Louisville - 3
  • Michigan State - 3
  • Arizona - 2
  • Michigan - 2 Not in Tournament
  • Baylor - 1
  • Connecticut - 1 Not in Tournament
  • Dayton - 1
  • Iowa State - 1
  • Kentucky - 1
  • San Diego State - 1
  • Stanford - 1 Not in Tournament
  • Tennessee - 1 Not in Tournament
  • UCLA - 1
  • Virginia - 1
  • Wisconsin - 1
UCLA holds the record for the most consecutive Sweet Sixteens with 14.  Here are the longest all-time streaks:
  • UCLA - 14 (1967 to 1980)
  • North Carolina - 13 (1981 to 1993)
  • Duke - 9 (1998 to 2006)
  • Duke - 7 (1986 to 1992)
  • Cincinnati - 6 (1958 to 1963)
  • Kentucky - 6 (1968 to 1973)
  • Notre Dame - 6 (1974 to 1979)
  • Kansas - 5 (1993 to 1997)
  • Kentucky - 5 (1955 to 1959)
  • Kentucky - 5 (1995 to 1999)
  • St. Joseph's - 5 (1959 to 1963) 
By Year - Longest Current Streak (starting in 1952 because 1951 was first year with Sweet Sixteen)

1952 - 2 (Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina State, St. John's)
1953 - 2 (Kansas, Oklahoma City, Santa Clara, Texas Christian, Wyoming)
1954 - 3 (Santa Clara)
1955 - 2 (Bradley, Colorado, La Salle, Penn State)
1956 - 2 (Canisius, Iowa, Kentucky, San Francisco, Seattle, SMU, Utah)
1957 - 3 (Canisius, Kentucky, San Francisco, SMU)
1958 - 4 (Kentucky, San Francisco)
1959 - 5 (Kentucky)
1960 - 4 (California)
1961 - 4 (Cincinnati)
1962 - 5 (Cincinnati)
1963 - 6 (Cincinnati)
1964 - 3 (UCLA)
1965 - 4 (UCLA)
1966 - 3 (Michigan)
1967 - 3 (Dayton, Houston, SMU)
1968 - 4 (Houston)
1969 - 3 (North Carolina, UCLA)
1970 - 4 (UCLA)
1971 - 5 (UCLA)
1972 - 6 (UCLA)
1973 - 7 (UCLA)
1974 - 8 (UCLA)
1975 - 9 (UCLA)
1976 - 10 (UCLA)
1977 - 11 (UCLA)
1978 - 12 (UCLA)
1979 - 13 (UCLA)
1980 - 14 (UCLA)
1981 - 3 (LSU)
1982 - 2 (Boston College, Kansas State, North Carolina, UAB, Virginia)
1983 - 3 (Boston College, North Carolina, Virginia)
1984 - 4 (North Carolina, Virginia)
1985 - 5 (North Carolina)
1986 - 6 (North Carolina)
1987 - 7 (North Carolina)
1988 - 8 (North Carolina)
1989 - 9 (North Carolina)
1990 - 10 (North Carolina)
1991 - 11 (North Carolina)
1992 - 12 (North Carolina)
1993 - 13 (North Carolina)
1994 - 4 (Indiana)
1995 - 3 (Arkansas, Kansas)
1996 - 4 (Arkansas, Kansas)
1997 - 5 (Kansas)
1998 - 4 (Kentucky)
1999 - 5 (Kentucky)
2000 - 3 (Duke, Michigan State, Purdue)
2001 - 4 (Duke, Michigan State)
2002 - 5 (Duke)
2003 - 6 (Duke)
2004 - 7 (Duke)
2005 - 8 (Duke)
2006 - 9 (Duke)
2007 - 2 (Florida, Georgetown, Memphis, UCLA)
2008 - 3 (Memphis, UCLA)
2009 - 4 (Memphis)
2010 - 3 (Michigan State, Xavier)
2011 - 3 (Duke)
2012 - 3 (Kentucky, Ohio State)
2013 - 4 (Ohio State)
2014 - 4 (Florida)

Round of 32 Streaks

Here are the teams that have been in 3 or more consecutive Round of 32 and their Round of 64 matchup in this year's tournament:

  • Kansas - 8 (New Mexico State)
  • Gonzaga - 6 (North Dakota State)
  • Syracuse - 6 Not in Tournament
  • Florida - 4 Not in Tournament
  • North Carolina - 4 (Harvard)
  • Creighton - 3 Not in Tournament
  • Iowa State - 3 (UAB)
  • Louisville - 3 (Cal-Irvine)
  • Michigan State - 3 (Georgia)
  • Saint Louis - 3 Not in Tournament
North Carolina holds the record for the most consecutive Round of 32 appearances with 24.  Here are the longest all-time streaks:
  • North Carolina - 24 (1975 to 1998)
  • Kentucky - 16 (1992 to 2007)
  • Kansas - 15 (1990 to 2004)
  • Duke - 11 (1984 to 1994)
  • Georgetown - 11 (1982 to 1992)
  • Duke - 10 (1997 to 2006)
  • Stanford - 10 (1995 to 2004)
  • Marquette - 9 (1971 to 1979)
  • UNLV - 9 (1983 to 1991)
  • Arkansas - 8 (1989 to 1996)
  • Cincinnati - 8 (1995 to 2002)
  • Idaho State - 8 (1953 to 1960)
  • Kansas - 8 (2007 to 2014)
  • Louisville - 8 (1977 to 1994)
  • Notre Dame - 8 (1974 to 1981)
  • Oklahoma - 8 (1983 to 1990)
  • Syracuse - 8 (1973 to 1980)
  • Syracuse - 8 (1983 to 1990) 
By Year - Longest Current Streak (starting in 1954 because 1953 was first year with Round of 32)

Note:  This only includes teams that played in this round.  There were byes in the Round of 32 through 1974.

1954 - 2 (Fordham, Idaho State, Navy, Notre Dame, Santa Clara, Seattle)
1955 - 3 (Idaho State, Seattle)
1956 - 4 (Idaho State, Seattle)
1957 - 5 (Idaho State)
1958 - 6 (Idaho State)
1959 - 7 (Idaho State)
1960 - 8 (Idaho State)
1961 - 2 (Ohio, Oregon, Princeton, USC)
1962 - 2 (Arizona State, Seattle, Wake Forest)
1963 - 3 (Arizona State, Seattle)
1964 - 4 (Arizona State, Seattle)
1965 - 3 (Connecticut, Oklahoma City, Princeton)
1966 - 4 (Oklahoma City)
1967 - 3 (Dayton, Houston)
1968 - 4 (Houston)
1969 - 3 (New Mexico State, St. John's)
1970 - 4 (New Mexico State)
1971 - 5 (New Mexico State)
1972 - 5 (Weber State)
1973 - 6 (Weber State)
1974 - 5 (Penn)
1975 - 6 (Penn)
1976 - 6 (Marquette)
1977 - 7 (Marquette)
1978 - 8 (Marquette)
1979 - 9 (Marquette)
1980 - 8 (Syracuse)
1981 - 8 (Notre Dame)
1982 - 8 (North Carolina)
1983 - 9 (North Carolina)
1984 - 10 (North Carolina)
1985 - 11 (North Carolina)
1986 - 12 (North Carolina)
1987 - 13 (North Carolina)
1988 - 14 (North Carolina)
1989 - 15 (North Carolina)
1990 - 16 (North Carolina)
1991 - 17 (North Carolina)
1992 - 18 (North Carolina)
1993 - 19 (North Carolina)
1994 - 20 (North Carolina)
1995 - 21 (North Carolina)
1996 - 22 (North Carolina)
1997 - 23 (North Carolina)
1998 - 24 (North Carolina)
1999 - 10 (Kansas)
2000 - 11 (Kansas)
2001 - 12 (Kansas)
2002 - 13 (Kansas)
2003 - 14 (Kansas)
2004 - 15 (Kansas)
2005 - 14 (Kentucky)
2006 - 15 (Kentucky)
2007 - 16 (Kentucky)
2008 - 5 (North Carolina)
2009 - 6 (North Carolina)
2010 - 5 (Pittsburgh, Texas A&M)
2011 - 6 (Pittsburgh)
2012 - 6 (Kansas, Purdue, Wisconsin)
2013 - 7 (Kansas)
2014 - 8 (Kansas)



2015 Number One Seeds

None of this year's #1 seeds were a #1 last year.  It is the 4th consecutive year with no repeat #1 seeds.

Kentucky is a #1 seed for the 12th time in school history.  The last time they were a #1 seed was 2012 when they won the National Championship over Kansas 67-59.  They also won the 1996 Championship as a #1 seed.  They are 38-9 as a #1 seed.  It is the 4th time in 6 years that a team from the SEC is a #1 seed.

Villanova is a #1 seed for the 2nd time in school history.  Their only other #1 seed was 2006 when they lost to Florida 75-62 in the Elite Eight.  They are 3-1 as a #1 seed.  It is the 5th time in 6 years that a team from the Big East is a #1 seed.

Duke is a #1 seed for the 13th time in school history.  Only North Carolina has been a #1 seed more with 14.  The last time they were a #1 seed was 2011 when they lost to Arizona 93-77 in the Sweet Sixteen.  They won the National Championship as a #1 seed in 1992, 2001 and 2010.  Their 3 National Championships as a #1 seed is second to North Carolina who has 4.  They are 45-9 as a #1 seed.  It is the 5th time in 6 years that a team from the ACC is a #1 seed.

Wisconsin is a #1 seed for the first time in school history.  Their previous highest seed was #2 in 2007 and 2014.  It is the 4th time in 5 years that a team from the Big Ten is a #1 seed.


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Consecutive Tournament Appearances

Mike Krzyzewski will be coaching in his 20th consecutive tournament.  Kansas will be playing in their 26th consecutive tournament.  Where do they rank all-time?

Most consecutive tournament appearances for a coach (all-time):
  • Lute Olson - 23 (1985 - 2007)
  • Dean Smith - 23 (1975 - 1997)
  • Mike Krzyzewski - 20 (1996 - 2015)
  • Roy Williams - 20 (1990 - 2009)
  • Tom Izzo - 18 (1998 - 2015)
  • Rick Barnes - 17 (1996 - 2012)
  • Bill Self - 17 (1999 - 2015)
  • Mark Few - 16 (2001 - 2015)
  • Bob Knight - 15 (1986 - 2000)
  • Bog Huggins - 14 (1992 - 2005)
  • Bo Ryan - 14 (2002 - 2015) 
  • Tubby Smith - 14 (1994 - 2007)
  • John Thompson - 14 (1979 - 1992)
Most consecutive tournament appearances for coaches in this year's tournament:
  • Mike Krzyzewski, Duke - 20
  • Tom Izzo, Michigan State - 18
  • Bill Self, Kansas - 17
  • Mark Few, Gonzaga - 16
  • Bo Ryan, Wisconsin - 14 
  • Rick Pitino, Louisville - 9
  • Thad Matta, Ohio State - 7
  • Steve Fisher, San Diego State - 6
  • Mick Cronin, Cincinnati - 5
  • Shaka Smart, VCU - 5
  • Roy Williams, North Carolina - 5
Most consecutive tournament appearances (All-Time):
  • North Carolina - 27 (1975 - 2001)
  • Kansas - 26 (2000 - 2015)
  • Arizona - 25 (1985 - 2009)
  • Duke - 20 (1996 - 2015)
  • Indiana - 18 (1986 - 2003)
  • Michigan State - 18 (1998 - 2015)
  • Gonzaga - 17 (1999 - 2015)
  • Kentucky - 17 (1992 - 2008)
  • Wisconsin - 17 (1999 - 2015)
  • UCLA - 15 (1967 - 1981)
Most consecutive tournament appearances for teams in this year's tournament:
  • Kansas - 26
  • Duke - 20
  • Michigan State - 18
  • Gonzaga - 17
  • Wisconsin - 17
  • Louisville - 9
  • Ohio State - 7
  • San Diego State - 6
  • Cincinnati - 5
  • North Carolina - 5
  • VCU - 5
Longest streaks snapped this year for schools:
  • Jim Boeheim, Syracuse - 6
  • Billy Donovan, Florida -5
  • Josh Pastner, Memphis - 4
  • John Beilein, Michigan - 4
  • Tad Boyle, Colorado - 3
  • Greg McDermott, Creighton - 3

Longest streaks snapped this year for teams:
  • Syracuse - 6
  • Florida - 5
  • Kansas State - 5
  • Memphis - 4
  • Michigan - 4

Longest time between tournament appearances

Larry Brown will be coaching in the tournament for the first time since 1988.  That was 27 years ago which breaks the record for the longest tournament drought.

Here is the longest time between tournament appearances in history:
  • Larry Brown - 27 (1988 - Kansas, 2015 - Southern Methodist)
  • Bill Musselman - 25 (1972 - Minnesota, 1997 - South Alabama)
  • Kermit Davis, Jr - 23 (1990 - Idaho, 2013 - Middle Tennessee State)
  • Ed Diddle - 20 (1940 - Western Kentucky, 1960 - Western Kentucky)
  • Glen Rose - 17 (1941 - Arkansas, 1958 - Arkansas)
  • Fred Schaus - 17 (1960 - West Virginia, 1977 - Purdue)
  • Ronnie Arrow - 16 (1991 - South Alabama, 2007 - Texas A&M - Corpus Christi)
  • Bill C. Foster - 16 (1980 - Clemson, 1996 - Virginia Tech)
  • Bob Boyd - 15 (1964 - Seattle, 1979 - Southern California)
  • Fran O'Hanlon - 15 (2000 - Lafayette, 2015 - Lafayette)
  • Davey Whitney- 15 (1984 - Alcorn State, 1999 - Alcorn State)
Here is the longest longest time between tournament appearances for this year's tournament coaches:
  • Larry Brown - 27 (1988 - Kansas, 2015 - Southern Methodist)
  • Fran O'Hanlon - 15 (2000 - Lafayette, 2015 - Lafayette) 
  • Ron Hunter - 12 (2003 - IUPUI, 2015 - Georgia State)
  • Larry Krystkowiak - 9 (2006 - Montana, 2015 - Utah)
  • Ben Jacobson - 5 (2010 - Northern Iowa, 2015 - Northern Iowa)
  • Johnny Jones - 5 (2010 - North Texas, 2015 - Louisiana State)
Here is the longest time between tournament appearances coaching for the same team:
  • Ed Diddle - 20 (1940 - 1960, Western Kentucky)
  • Glen Rose - 17 (1941 - 1958, Arkansas)
  • Fran O'Hanlon - 15 (2000 -  2015, Lafayette)
  • Davey Whitney- 15 (1984 - 1999, Alcorn State)
  • Murray Greason - 14 (1939 - 1953, Wake Forest)
  • George Blaney - 13 (1980 - 1993, Holy Cross)
  • Lake Kelly - 13 (1974 - 1987, Austin Peay)
  • Branch McCracken - 13 (1940 - 1953, Indiana)
  • Bob Nichols - 12 (1967 - 1979, Toledo)
  • Harry Combes - 11 (1952 - 1963, Illinois)
  • Ray Meyer - 11 (1965 - 1976, DePaul)
  • Ron Mitchell - 11 (1997 - 2008, Coppin State)
Here is the longest time between tournament appearances for schools:
  • Harvard - 66 (1946 - 2012)
  • Brown - 47 (1939 - 1986)
  • Stanford - 47 (1942 - 1989)
  • Wisconsin - 47 (1947 - 1994)
  • Air Force - 42 (1962 - 2004)
  • Lafayette - 42 (1957 - 1999)
  • Iowa State - 41 (1944 - 1985)
  • Canisius - 39 (1957 - 1996)
  • Washington State - 39 (1941 - 1980)
  • Baylor - 38 (1950 - 1988)
  • Miami, Florida - 38 (1960 - 1998)
Here is the longest time between tournament appearances for this year's tournament teams:
  • Northeastern - 24 (1991)
  • Southern Methodist - 22 (1993)
  • Lafayette - 15 (2000)
  • Georgia State - 14 (2001)
  • Wyoming - 13 (2002)
  • Eastern Washington - 11 (2004)
  • Arkansas - 7 (2008)
  • Louisiana State - 6 (2009)
  • Utah - 6 (2009)
  • Maryland - 5 (2010)
  • Northern Iowa - 5 (2010)
  • Robert Morris - 5 (2010)

First Tournament

Three teams will be making their first tournament appearance.
  • Buffalo
  • Cal-Irvine
  • North Florida
Ten coaches will be making their first tournament appearance.
  • Bill Coen, Northeastern
  • Matthew Driscoll, North Florida
  • Jerod Hasse, UAB
  • Jim Hayford, Eastern Washington
  • Chris Holtmann, Butler
  • Bobby Hurley, Buffalo
  • David Richman, North Dakota State
  • Larry Shyatt, Wyoming
  • Andrew Toole, Robert Morris
  • Russell Turner, Cal-Irvine
Six coaches that have been in the tournament before will be making their first tournament appearance with a new team.
  • Mike Anderson, Arkansas (UAB - 2004-06; Missouri - 2009-11)
  • Larry Brown, Southern Methodist (UCLA - 1980-81; Kansas - 1984-88)
  • Ron Hunter, Georgia State (IUPUI - 2003)
  • Johnny Jones, Louisiana State (North Texas - 2007, 2010)
  • Larry Krystkowiak, Utah (Montana - 2005-06)
  • Mark Turgeon, Maryland (Wichita State - 2006, Texas A&M - 2008-11)

Defending Champ missing tournament

Connecticut will most likely not make the tournament this year.  Here are the teams that failed to make the tournament the following season (since 1985):

1986 Louisville
1988 Kansas
2007 Florida
2009 North Carolina
2012 Kentucky
2014 Connecticut