03/15/2005

Since 2000, the Southeastern Conference has had the most bids with 35.  Here are the conferences with at least 20 bids since 2000:

Actual Conference

Teams

Southeastern

35

Big Twelve

34

Big East

32

Big Ten

31

Atlantic Coast

28

Pacific Ten

27

Conference USA

23

Only one first round game features two teams that have won National Championships:  Utah (1944) vs. Texas-El Paso (1966)

The Austin region has the most national championships by  the teams in that region.  Here are the National Championships by Region:

Championships

Region

18

Austin

13

Albuquerque

11

Syracuse

3

Chicago

Games featuring both coaches seeking their first ever NCAA Tournament victory:

Chris Lowery, Southern Illinois vs. Randy Bennett, St. Mary’s

Lorenzo Romar, Washington vs. Larry Krystkowiak, Montana

Jay Wright, Villanova vs. Ritchie McKay, New Mexico

Ray Giacoletti, Utah vs. Doc Sadler, Texas-El Paso

 

Bob Knight ties Dean Smith for the most NCAA Tournaments coached.  Here are coaches with at least 20 tournaments:

 

Coach

Tournaments

Knight, Bob

27

Smith, Dean

27

Olson, Lute

26

Sutton, Eddie

26

Boeheim, Jim

24

Crum, Denny

23

Krzyzewski, Mike

21

Thompson, John

20

Rupp, Adolph

20

 

Lute Olson is coaching in his 21st consecutive tournament.  He is 2 shy of the record of 23 held by Dean Smith.  Here are the current longest streaks:

 

Coach

Tournaments

Olson, Lute

21

Williams, Roy

16

Huggins, Bob

14

Smith, Tubby

12

Barnes, Rick

10

Krzyzewski, Mike

10