Tournament Trivia

[Sky]

OK, a few questions to challenge your brain matter this wonderful Monday morning:

1. Lowest seed to reach the final four since 1979: #11 LSU in 1986 (Degenerate)

2. When was the last time the final four failed to include at least one #1 seed: 1980 Final Four included 2, 5, 6, 8 Louisville, Iowa, Purdue, Ucla (Shine)

3. When and who was the last #15 to upset a #2: Hampton vs. Iowa State, I believe it was in 2001 (TiC)

4. Lowest seed to make and win the final: #8 Villanova in 1985 (TiC)

5. Who is the only coach to reach the national semifinals (final four) of the NCAA Tournament and NIT at least five times apiece? (Hint, he also won the “Triple Crown”):

6. In what year did the NCAA tournament expand to 64 teams: 1984-1985 season (Degenerate)

7. Last team to win the title with more than 10 regular season losses: Kansas (27-11) #6 1988 (TiC)

8. What two conferences led to the expansion of the NCAA tournament (64-65) and in what year: When the MWC split off from the WAC, the NCAA decided to keep the number of at-large bids at 34, leading to the creation of a play-in game. I believe the MWC split in either 1999 or 2000, and got an automatic bid one year after the split. (TiC)

9. Prior to that, when was the last time more than 64 teams were invited to the tournament:

10. When did the NCAA tournament start to eclipse the NIT (subjective):
In 1970, Marquette coach Al McGuire, upset with his team's seed in the NCAA tournament, pulled out and went to the NIT. The NIT's complaint alleges McGuire's decision prompted the start of illegal, anti-competitive behavior by the NCAA, including the "commitment to participate" rule. Thus, in the ensuing years the NCAA started to exert pressure on teams and force them to play in the NCAA

[Degenerate]

1. Lowest seed to reach the final four since 1979:

LSU, 1986, #11 seed

[Terry in Crapchester]

4. Lowest seed to make and win the final:

Villanova, #8 seed, 1985.

Are we using the Humpday Challenge rule, btw?

[Terry in Crapchester]

I'll apply the Humpday Challenge rule since it's close to an hour . . .

3. When and who was the last #15 to upset a #2:

Hampton vs. Iowa State, I believe it was in 2001.

[Degenerate]

6. In what year did the NCAA tournament expand to 64 teams:

for the 1984-1985 season.

[Terry in Crapchester]

Since we're now after 3:00 . . .

8. What two conferences led to the expansion of the NCAA tournament (64-65) and in what year:

When the MWC split off from the WAC, the NCAA decided to keep the number of at-large bids at 34, leading to the creation of a play-in game. I believe the MWC split in either 1999 or 2000, and got an automatic bid one year after the split.

[Shine]

7. Last team to win the title with more than 10 regular season losses :

IU in 81

2. When was the last time the final four failed to include at least one #1 seed:

Not 100% but I believe 1980.

[Sky]

7. Last team to win the title with more than 10 regular season losses :

IU in 81

NO

2. When was the last time the final four failed to include at least one #1 seed:

Not 100% but I believe 1980.

1980 Final Four included 2, 5, 6, 8 Louisville, Iowa, Purdue, Ucla

[Terry in Crapchester]

10. When did the NCAA tournament start to eclipse the NIT (subjective):

Late 1950's -- early 1960's, jmho.

7. Last team to win the title with more than 10 regular season losses:

I believe it was Kansas in '88.

[helmet]

10. When did the NCAA tournament start to eclipse the NIT (subjective):

Good question. I'd say right about the time that Wooden started his run. So mid to late 60's.

[Sky]

Come on shine, I expected you to get #5

[Terry in Crapchester]

10. When did the NCAA tournament start to eclipse the NIT (subjective):
In 1970, Marquette coach Al McGuire, upset with his team's seed in the NCAA tournament, pulled out and went to the NIT. The NIT's complaint alleges McGuire's decision prompted the start of illegal, anti-competitive behavior by the NCAA, including the "commitment to participate" rule. Thus, in the ensuing years the NCAA started to exert pressure on teams and force them to play in the NCAA

Technically, not a correct answer.

The NCAA tournament didn't begin seeding teams until 1979. McGuire might have been upset with Marquette's draw in the 1970 tournament, but by definition he could not have been upset with its seed, since they didn't have one.