Thats absolute BS. We went 13-3 in the big east in 2003, won AT michigan st in feb, and didnt need a miracle big east tourny run to land a 3 seed in the tourny. We were championship caliber all year. UConn went 9-9 in the big east and lost 4 of their last 5 heading into the big east tournament. Apples and oranges.
Agreed apples and oranges, the situations aren't the same, but what is a championship caliber team? Both teams were 3 seeds.
UConn entered the NCAA tournament 16th in the Pomeroy ratings. I would say that is a little outside what I would call a championship caliber team. We finished 03 7th int he Pomeroy rankings, I believe we were right around 9 or so when the tourny started. (Remembered thinking we might be able to swing a 2 seed if we got lucky).
So I'd probably agree, when the tourny starts, I think you need to be top 10ish or so; a 3 seed sounds about right. A 4 seed or lower winning seems like it would be a bit of a surprise.
Also worth mentioning, the BE in 2011 had a hell of a lot more tougher teams than the BE in 2003. All 9 games UConn lost in the BE were to teams in the top 45 or better. We played 7 teams in the top 45 or better all year in the BE. UConn lost 9, and won 4 more. They played 13 out of 18 BE games against top 45 teams, we played 7 of 16 (BC was 47, so you can make it 8 out of 16 if you want).
I doubt the 2003 team goes 13-3 (or the equivalent in an 18 game season) against the schedule UConn played last year, and UConn doesn't play 500 ball against our 2003 BE schedule. UConn's last 5 games last year before the BET were all against top 35 teams, they lost 4 of 5, including 2 at home, but they were playing really good teams. The 2003 BE sent 4 teams in the NCAA tourny, 4 out of 14. Last year we sent 11 of 16. Massive difference in quality of opponent. Btw, I didn't remember we sent only 4 teams in 2003. Not good at all.
But I think if you are the 15th best team entering the tournament, that to me seems like fringe NCAA title contender, at best.
