VCU coach wants no part of making history, or any discussion of it
Since at-large bids were established in 1975, the teams listed below failed to make the NCAA tournament the season after going to the Final Four. The team with the most wins that was denied was Florida in 2008, with a 21-11 record on Selection Sunday. The Gators went on to the NIT semifinals that season, finishing with 24 wins.
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Why is this relevant? Because, if you believe the bracketologists, two of last year’s Final Four teams are in danger of not making the tournament — VCU (25-6) and Butler (18-13).
VCU coach Shaka Smart was asked Monday how he would feel being left out with 25, 26, or even 27 wins, which is possible if the Rams don’t win the CAA tournament.
“I don’t know. I’m not there right now,” Smart said. “I’m in the moment right now of — it’s Monday morning, and we have five days to prepare for our first CAA game. I don’t know how I fell. I certainly want to be in NCAA tournament, if that’s what you’re asking. We set that goal and that’s something we want to do. If that didn’t happen we certainly would be disappointed. But I’m not worrying about that. I’m focused on right now. There’s too much past and too much future that’s being thrown at me and our guys and we’re not having it.”
The following teams failed to receive an NCAA at-large bid the season after making the Final Four. At-large bids were first handed out in 1975.
Year (teams in field) — Teams (Record on Selection Sunday)
1976 (32) — Kentucky (16-10), Louisville (20-8)
1977 (32) — Indiana (16-11), Rutgers (18-10)
1978 (32) – Charlotte (20-7), UNLV (20-8)
1979 (40) — Kentucky (19-11)
1980 (48) — Michigan St (12-15), Indiana State (16-11)
1981 (48) — Purdue (17-10)
1982 (48) – LSU (14-14)
1983 (52) — N.C. State (19-13), Georgia (16-12)
1984 (53) – Houston (16-14), Virginia (17-16)
1987 (64) – Louisville (17-14)
1988 (64) — Providence (11-17)
1989 (64) — Kansas (16-12)
1990 (64) — Seton Hall (12-16)
1992 (64) – UNLV (26-2 – probation)
1995 (64) — Duke (13-18)
1996 (64) — Oklahoma State (17-10)
1997 (64) – Syracuse (19-12), Miss State (12-18)
1998 (64) – Minnesota (15-15)
2004 (65) — Marquette (17-11)
2006 (65) — Louisville (18-12)
2007 (65) — LSU (17-15), George Mason (18-15)
2008 (65) – Florida (21-11), Ohio State (19-13)
2010 (65) – UNC (16-16), UConn (17-15)
