Final Four Tidbits

Virginia is in the National Championship Game for the first time in tournament history.

Tony Bennett is in his first National Championship Game.

A #1 seed is in the National Championship Game for the 5th consecutive year.

Virginia is the 4th ACC team in the last 5 years to play in the National Championship Game.  Virginia is the 6th school from the ACC to play in the Championship Game.  Duke has played in 11, North Carolina in 10, North Carolina State in 2 and Maryland and Georgia Tech in 1 each.

Virginia is 4-4 vs. the SEC.  The win ends a 4-game tournament losing streak vs. the SEC.

The ACC has won 5 straight National Semifinal Games against non-ACC teams.  The last National Semifinal Game that an ACC team lost to a team from another conference was 2008 when Kansas defeated North Carolina 84-66.

Virginia's Last 3 games were decided by 4 or fewer points or in overtime.  The only other team that to advance to the championship game by doing that was 1992 Michigan.

The SEC has lost 3 straight National Semifinal Games.  The last National Semifinal Game won by an SEC team was 2014 when Kentucky defeated Wisconsin 74-73.

Texas Tech is in the National Championship Game for the first time in tournament history.

Chris Beard is in his first National Championship Game.

The last time that both teams were making their first championship game appearance was 1979 when Michigan State played Indiana State.

The last time that both coaches were making their first championship game appearance was 2008 when Bill Self (Kansas) coached against John Calipari (Memphis)

Texas Tech is the first Big Twelve team in the National Championship Game since 2012 when Kansas played Kentucky.  Texas Tech is the first Big Twelve team other than Kansas to play in a National Championship Game.

Big Twelve teams are now 4-6 in National Semifinal Games.

Texas Tech is 3-0 vs. the Big Ten in the tournament.

Texas Tech is the first team to ever beat Michigan and Michigan State in the same tournament.

Texas Tech is the first team from the state of Texas to play in the National Championship Game since 1984 when Houston played Georgetown.

It is the second consecutive year that a #1 seed will play a #3 seed in the National Championship Game.  #1 Villanova defeated #3 Michigan last year.  Before last year, only one other time did #1 play #3 (1990 - #1 UNLV defeated #3 Duke)

#3 seeds are now 12-7 in National Semifinal Games.

A decade of Final Fours

The last Final Four of the 2010s has been filled.  In the decade, only two schools went to the Final Four more than twice.  Kentucky led with 4 Final Fours.  Michigan State is in their third Final Four of the decade.

Here is the school that made the most Final Fours each decade:

2010s - Kentucky (4)
2000s - Michigan State, North Carolina (4)
1990s - Duke, North Carolina (5)
1980s - Louisville (4)
1970s - UCLA (7)
1960s - UCLA (6)
1950s - Kansas, San Francisco (3)
1940s - Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma State (3)

25 different schools made it to the Final Four during this decade.  Here is the number of different schools by decade:

2010s - 25
2000s - 25
1990s - 23
1980s - 26
1970s - 28
1960s - 22
1950s - 29
1940s - 30

The Big Ten had the most Final Four appearances with 8.  Here is the number of appearances by conference:

Big Ten - 8
Big East - 7
SEC - 7
ACC - 6
Big Twelve - 4
Horizon - 2
Missouri Valley - 2
American - 1
Colonial - 1
Pacific Twelve - 1
West Coast - 1

The conference with the most Final Four appearances by decade are:

2010s - Big Ten (8)
2000s - ACC (9)
1990s - ACC (11)
1980s - ACC, Big East (8)
1970s - Pacific Ten (7)
1960s - ACC, Big Ten, Pacific Ten (7)
1950s - Big Eight, Big Ten (6)
1940s - Big Ten (6)

The Pacific Twelve had only one Final Four appearance in the 2010s.  That is the fewest in their history.  Here is the number of Final Fours for the Pacific Twelve by Decade:

2010s - 1
2000s - 4
1990s - 4
1980s - 2
1970s - 7
1960s - 7
1950s - 3
1940s - 5

Elite Eight Tidbits - Sunday

Auburn is in the Final Four for the first time in school history.  It is also Bruce Pearl's first Final Four.

This is the second time in three years where the Final Four has three new coaches.

Auburn becomes the second school to defeat North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky in a single tournament.  Arizona also did in 1997.

Auburn's game was their first ever tournament game against a SEC team.  Kentucky's was their third.  They are now 1-2.  Both of Kentucky's losses are in the Elite Eight.

Bruce Pearl ties Cliff Ellis for 2nd all-time in Auburn history with his 5th tournament win.  Sonny Smith is first in Auburn history with 7 tournament wins.

Auburn now has 2 straight wins over #2 seeds after losing their first 3.

Kentucky is 8-3 vs. #5 seeds, but have lost their last 2.  Kentucky is 0-2 vs. #5 seeds when seeded #2.

Kentucky's loss is only their second ever in the state of Missouri.  They are now 8-2.  Their other loss was to Michigan State in the 1999 Elite Eight.

Kentucky's loss is their 21st all-time in the Elite Eight which is a tournament record.

Auburn is 2-0 in OT games in the tournament.

Kentucky 4-6 in OT games in the tournament.  The 6 losses are 3rd most all-time behind Ohio State and Syracuse who have 7 losses.

The 77-71 Auburn win over Kentucky is 11th time for that score in NCAA Tournament History.  Only 69-67 (15 times) and 75-72 (13 times) have occurred more often

Michigan State is in the Final Four for the first time since 2015 and the 10th time overall.  They are 3-6 in the National Semifinals.  Michigan State lost to Duke 81-61 in the 2015 Final Four.

Michigan State is 7-10 vs. #1 seeds.  The 7 wins vs. #1 seeds is 4th all-time.  Only Duke (9), Kansas (8) and North Carolina (8) have more.

Michigan State is in the Final Four for the 5th time not seeded #1.  They tie Duke, Kansas, Louisville and Syracuse for the most Final Fours when not seeded #1.

Michigan State's win is their 18th all-time vs. a higher seed which is a tournament high.

Duke's loss is their 24th all-time vs. a lower seed which is a tournament high.

Duke is 15-5 vs. the Big Ten.

Duke is 16-6 in the Elite Eight.  Michigan State is 10-4 in the Elite Eight.

The average margin of victory in the Elite Eight was 4.5.  It was the 2nd lowest in history in Elite Eight.  The lowest was 3.75 in 1942. 

The average margin in regulation was 1.75.  It was the 2nd lowest in history in the Elite Eight.  The lowest was 1.5 in 2005.

It is only the 4th time in history that all four Elite Eight games were decided by single digits and only the second time that all four were decided by 6 or less.  Here is the maximum margin of victory in each of those years:

• 1942 - 6
• 2019 - 6
• 2010 - 7
• 2005 - 8

It is the 4th time that there were multiple overtime games in the Elite Eight.  Here are the number of overtime games in each year:

• 2005 - 3
• 1992 - 2
• 2006 - 2
• 2019 - 2

It is the second time in 3 years that there are two new teams in the Final Four.  Gonzaga and South Carolina made their first appearance in 2017.

The Final Four has teams from four difference conferences for the 2nd consecutive year.  It is the first time since 2012 that has happened.

It is the 4th consecutive year that the AP #1 team missed the Final Four.  It is the longest streak of the #1 team missing the Final Four in tournament history.

It is the 7th consecutive year that the AP #1 team failed to win the National Championship.  Since the field expanded to 64, the #1 team has won the tournament only 4 times or 11.4% of the time.

Elite Eight Tidbits - Saturday

Texas Tech is in the Final Four for the first time in school history.  It is also Chris Beard's first Final Four appearance.

Chris Beard is 7-1 in the tournament as the coach of Texas Tech.  He is 8-2 overall.

The only coaches that have won 8 or more games in their first 10 in NCAA Tournament history are:

• Ed Jucker 10 (Cincinnati 10-0)
• Phil Woolpert 10 (San Francisco 10-0)
• Steve Fisher 9 (Michigan 9-1)
• Henry Iba 9 (Oklahoma State 9-1)
• Ken Loeffler 9 (La Salle 9-1)
• Fred Taylor 9 (Ohio State 9-1)
• Phog Allen 8 (Kansas 8-2)
• Forddy Anderson 8 (Bradley 6-2, Michigan State 2-0)
• Gene Bartow 8 (Memphis 3-1, UCLA 5-1)
• Chris Beard 8 (Arkansas-Little Rock 1-1, Texas Tech 7-1)
• Vic Bubas 8 (Duke 8-2)
• P.J. Carlesimo 8 (Seton Hall 8-2)
• Tom Davis 8 (Boston College 5-2, Iowa 3-0)
• Billy Donovan 8 (Florida 8-2)
• Bill Guthridge 8 (North Carolina 8-2)
• Don Haskins 8 (UTEP 8-2)
• Tom Izzo 8 (Michigan State 8-2)
• Doggie Julian 8 (Holy Cross 5-1, Dartmouth 3-1)
• Bob Knight 8 (Indiana 8-2)
• Branch McCracken 8 (Indiana 8-2)
• Frank McGuire 8 (St. John's 5-2, North Carolina 3-0)
• Pete Newell 8 (California 8-2)
• Adolph Rupp 8 (Kentucky 8-2)

With Texas Tech's appearance in the Final Four, the only current Big Twelve team that has never been to the Final Four is Texas Christian.

Texas Tech is 2-1 vs. the West Coast Conference.  Both wins are vs. Gonzaga.

Texas Tech's win is their first ever vs. a #1 seed.  They previously lost to St. Joseph's in the 2004 Round of 32 and Villanova in the 2018 Elite Eight.

Gonzaga is 3-2 vs. the Big Twelve.  Both of their losses are to Texas Tech.

Gonzaga is 1-3 vs. #3 seeds.

Gonzaga is 1-3 in the Elite Eight.

Virginia is in the Final Four for the first time since 1984 and the 3rd time overall.  They are 0-2 in the National Semifinals.  Virginia lost to Houston 49-47 in the 1984 National Semifinals.

Tony Bennett is in his first Final Four.

Virginia ends a 4-game tournament losing streak vs. the Big Ten.  They are now 2-4 vs. the Big Ten.

Virginia is 3-1 vs. #3 seeds.  This is the first time they were the higher seed.

Virginia is 3-1 when playing in the state of Kentucky.

Purdue is 0-7 vs. #1 seeds.  Only Temple (9), Arkansas (9) and Gonzaga (8) have more losses without a win vs. #1 seeds.

Purdue becomes the second team in the 2019 tournament to win a game and lose a game in overtime.  It is the first time since 2006 that two teams in the same tournament both won a game and lost a game in overtime.

Elite Eight Quick Facts

The sum of seeds for the 2019 Elite Eight is 18.  It is the third lowest in tournament history.  Only 2007 (13) and 2009 (14) had a lower sum of seeds.

Elite Eight Rematches

Duke is 4-1 vs. Michigan State

• Duke won 85-74 in the 1994 Round of 32
• Duke won 68-62 in the 1999 National Semifinals
• Michigan State won 78-68 in the 2005 Sweet Sixteen
• Duke won 71-61 in the 2013 Sweet Sixteen
• Duke won 81-61 in the 2015 National Semifinals

Texas Tech defeated Gonzaga 71-69 in the 2005 Round of 32

Teams by Conference
ACC 2
Big Ten 2
SEC 2
Big Twelve 1
West Coast 1

This is the first time since 2012 that no conference has at least 3 teams in the Elite Eight.  The 6-year streak of at least one conference with 3 teams was a tournament record.

Consecutive Elite Eights

Texas Tech and Duke are in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.

It is the 13th straight year with at least one Elite Eight repeat.

Most Recent Elite Eight

Duke - 2018
Texas Tech - 2018
Gonzaga - 2017
Kentucky - 2017
Virginia - 2016
Michigan State - 2015
Purdue - 2000
Auburn - 1986

Consecutive Years with a Team in Elite Eight - Conference

ACC 5
Big Twelve 4
Big Ten 2

Consecutive Years with a Team in Elite Eight - Team

North Carolina 5
Michigan 2
Texas 2

Elite Eight All-Time Records - Teams

Team	W	L	Pct
Duke	16	5	0.762
Michigan St	9	4	0.692
Purdue	2	2	0.500
Kentucky	17	20	0.459
Virginia	2	4	0.333
Gonzaga	1	2	0.333
Auburn	0	1	0.000
Texas Tech	0	1	0.000

Elite Eight All-Time Records - Coaches

Team	W	L	Pct
Krzyzewski, Mike	12	3	0.800
Izzo, Tom	7	2	0.778
Calipari, John	6	5	0.545
Few, Mark	1	1	0.500
Beard, Chris	0	1	0.000
Bennett, Tony	0	1	0.000
Pearl, Bruce	0	1	0.000

This is the first Elite Eight appearance for Matt Painter (Purdue).

This is the 7th consecutive year with at least one coach  making his first Elite Eight appearance.

Average Margin of Victory in First Three Rounds

1. Gonzaga 21.3

2. Texas Tech 18.0

3. Michigan State 16.0

4. Kentucky 15.0

5. Purdue 14.7

6. Auburn 10.7

7. Virginia 10.3

8. Duke 8.7

Average Points Scored in First Three Rounds

1. Auburn 88.0

2. Purdue 82.3

3. Gonzaga 80.7

4. Duke 79.0

5. Michigan State 75.3

6. Texas Tech 71.0

7. Kentucky 67.7

8. Virginia 62.3

Average Points Allowed in First Three Rounds

1. Virginia 52.0

2. Kentucky 52.7

3. Texas Tech 53.0

4t. Gonzaga 59.3

4t. Michigan State 59.3

6. Purdue 67.7

7. Duke 70.3

8. Auburn 77.3

Since 2015, the team that won the National Championship was either #1 or #2 in scoring in the first three rounds.

Sweet Sixteen Tournament Tidbits - Friday

Michigan State is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015 and the 14th time overall.  They are 9-4 in the Elite Eight.  Michigan State defeated Louisville 76-70 in the 2015 Elite Eight before losing to Duke in the Final Four.

Michigan State is 5-0 vs. #3 seeds.  The 5 wins is the most without a loss all-time in the tournament.

Michigan State is 10-1 vs. the SEC.

LSU is 2-9 vs. the Big Ten.

Auburn is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1986 and the 2nd time overall.  They are 0-1 in the Elite Eight.  Auburn lost to Louisville 84-76 in the 1986 Elite Eight.

Auburn's 97 points is their most in 25 tournament games.  Their previous high was 90 vs. Indiana in the 1987 Round of 32 and vs. Bradley in the 1988 Round of 64.

Auburn is 2-2 vs. the ACC and 1-1 vs. North Carolina.

Auburn is 5-1 as an automatic bid.

Auburn is 2-2 vs. #1 seeds.  Their other win over a #1 seed was 81-65 vs. St. John's in the Round of 32.  All of the other 3 games vs. #1 seeds were as a #8 seed in the Round of 32.

North Carolina is 12-7 vs. the SEC.

North Carolina is 8-2 vs. #5 seeds.  It is the first time they have ever lost to a #5 seed when seeded #1.

North Carolina is 6-3 playing in the state of Missouri, but have lost 3 of their last 4.

North Carolina is 37-4 on Fridays in the tournament.  The loss snaps a 25-game winning streak by North Carolina on Fridays.

Duke is in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year and the 22nd time overall.  They are 16-5 in the Elite Eight.  Duke lost to Kansas 85-81 in the 2018 Elite Eight.

Duke is 6-1 vs. #4 seeds.

Duke is 3-0 vs. teams from the ACC.

Virginia Tech is 0-3 vs. #1 seeds.

Virginia Tech is 1-1 in the Sweet Sixteen.

Duke and North Carolina have lost on the same day in the tournament only once.  It was on March 11, 1979 in the Round of 32.  Duke lost to St. John's 80-78 and North Carolina lost to Penn 72-71.

Kentucky is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2017 and the 38th time overall.  They are 17-20 in the Elite Eight.  Kentucky lost to North Carolina 75-73 in the 2017 Elite Eight.

Kentucky is 3-1 vs. the American Athletic Conference.  Their only loss was in the 2014 National Championship Game to Connecticut.

Kentucky is 8-2 vs. #3 seeds and have won 4 straight.

Kentucky wins their 31st game of the 2010's.  They are 1 win away from tying the record for the most wins in a decade.  UCLA in the 1970's and Duke in the 1990's won 32 games.

Kentucky is 8-1 playing in the state of Missouri.  This was their first ever tournament game played in Kansas City.  Their previous 8 Missouri games were is St. Louis.

Houston's game against Kentucky was their first ever tournament game against an SEC team.

Houston is 6-1 when playing in the state of Missouri.  Coming into the game, they had the most wins in Missouri without a loss.

Houston is 1-1 vs. #2 seeds

Sweet Sixteen Tournament Tidbits - Thursday

Gonzaga is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2017 and the 4th time overall.  They are 1-2 in the Elite Eight.  Gonzaga defeated Xavier 83-59 in the 2017 Elite Eight before losing to North Carolina in the National Championship Game.

Gonzaga is 2-1 vs. Florida State.

Gonzaga is 3-6 vs. the ACC.

Florida State is 1-3 vs. #1 Seeds.

Purdue is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2000 and the 5th time overall.  They are 2-2 in the Elite Eight.  Purdue lost to Wisconsin 64-60 in the 2000 Elite Eight.

Purdue's 99 points is the most ever for Purdue with Matt Painter as the Coach.  His previous high was 90 vs. Baylor in the 2008 Round of 64.

Purdue is 3-5 vs. the SEC.

Purdue is 3-1 vs. #2 seeds when seeded lower.

Purdue is 6-2 when playing in the sate of California.

Tennessee is 0-2 vs. #3 seeds.

Tennessee is 1-7 in the Sweet Sixteen.

Tennessee becomes the first team to win and lose a game in overtime in the tournament since 2011.

Texas Tech is in the Elite Eight for the 2nd consecutive year and the 2nd time overall.  They are 0-1 in the Elite Eight.  Texas Tech lost to Villanova 71-59 in the 2018 Elite Eight.

Texas Tech is 2-0 vs. the Big Ten.  They defeated Purdue in the 2018 Sweet Sixteen.

Texas Tech is 2-1 vs. #2 seeds.  All 3 games have been as a #3 seed in the Sweet Sixteen.

Chris Beard of Texas Tech is now 7-2 in the NCAA Tournament.  His only loss was to Villanova last year and Iowa State in 2016 while the coach of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Michigan's 44 points is the fewest that Texas Tech has allowed in 31 tournament games.  Their previous low allowed was 55 vs. Boston College in the 1985 Round of 64.

Michigan's loss ends a 3-game tournament winning streak against the Big Twelve.  They are now 3-2 vs. the Big Twelve.

Michigan's 44 points is the fewest that they have scored in 89 tournament games.  Their previous low was 45 vs. Holy Cross in the 1948 Elite Eight.

Michigan is 3-2 playing in the state of California.  Their other loss was in their highest scoring tournament game when they lost to Loyola Marymount 149-115 in the 1989 Round of 32.

Michigan's 44 points is the fewest ever scored by a #2 seed tied with North Carolina vs. Villanova in the 1985 Elite Eight.

Virginia is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2016 and the 7th time overall.  They are 2-4 in the Elite Eight.  Virginia lost to Syracuse 68-62 in the 2016 Elite Eight.

Virginia is 4-3 vs. #12 seed.

Oregon is 1-6 vs. #1 seeds.

Oregon's 49 points is the fewest they have scored in 31 tournament games in the shot-clock era (since 1986).  Their previous low was 58 vs. Miami, Ohio in the 2007 Round of 64 and vs. Utah in the 2003 Round of 64.