While other conferences have deeper and more historic pasts, the relatively new powerhouse college basketball conference, the Big East, has as prestigious a history as any other conference that came before it.<\/p>\n
The Big East\u2019s coronation came in 1985 when three conference members advanced to the Final Four. Then<\/span> two charter members (Georgetown and Villanova) played in the title game. We all know how that went down. From legendary players and coaches to fantastic teams, the Big East has a historic past that can not go unnoticed.<\/p>\n As a member then of the Horizon League, the Bulldogs captured the nation\u2019s heart en route to making it to the National Championship on the heels of a 33-5 record. When squared up against almighty Duke, the upstart Bulldogs gave the Blue Devils all they could handle. Gordon Hayward<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s near half-court attempt at the buzzer nearly went in. Still, this team took Butler from a mid-major darling to a big-time player on the national circuit.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IuL81v10jLM<\/p>\n While other Bulldogs rank higher in the career record books, Hayward is the player who captivated not only the nation but also NBA scouts. In his time with Butler, he was named<\/span> Horizon League newcomer of the Year in 2009 and a two-time Horizon League first-team member,<\/span> and also winning Horizon Player of the Year in 2010.<\/p>\n Butler has had a plethora of fantastic coaches (Chris Holtmann<\/strong><\/a>, Todd Lickliter<\/a><\/strong>, Thad Matta<\/a><\/strong>, Barry Collier<\/a><\/strong>, and Tony Hinkle<\/strong><\/a>) but no one did a better job of expanding Butler\u2019s brand than Stevens. He amassed a 77.2 winning percentage (166-149) while taking the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in four of the five years with the school. It was under his stewardship that Butler made it to the NCAA Championship twice (in back-to-back years no less), which elevated the school\u2019s profile. That allowed Butler to receive an invitation to the Big East conference.<\/p>\n In the last year under Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton<\/a><\/strong>, the 1973-74 Creighton team advanced to the regional semifinals and compiled a 23-7 record. Backed by the duo of Gene Harmon<\/a><\/strong> and Doug Brookins<\/a><\/strong>, this Bluejays squad was the farthest Creighton has ever advanced in the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n Who else but Doug McDermott<\/strong><\/a>? He ranks fifth on the all-time NCAA Division I scoring list with 3,150 points. McDermott was the consensus 2014 NCAA Player of the Year and a three-time first-team All-American.<\/p>\n Now doing damage as the coach at Oregon, Altman really made a name for himself at Creighton. He accumulated a 65.0 winning percentage (327-176) while taking the Bluejays to seven NCAA Tournaments and five NIT appearances in his sixteen years at the school. His successor \u2014 and current coach Greg McDermott<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 has the chance to pass him for this honor if he sticks with the school as long as Altman did.<\/p>\n Although the 1979 Final Four<\/a> was more known for Larry Bird<\/a><\/strong> and Indiana State going up against Magic Johnson<\/a><\/strong> and Michigan State<\/a> in the National Championship, DePaul<\/span> was ever so close to playing Michigan State in the finals. The Blue Demons posted a 26-6 record that season and took the city of Chicago by heart. Sure, technically we could have given this honor to the 1945 team that won the NIT Championship \u2014 which at the time was the premier tournament \u2014 on the back of legendary big-man George Mikan<\/a><\/strong>. However, the 1978-79 squad catapulted the Blue Demons into national relevance.<\/p>\nBig East All-Time Series, Part 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Butler Bulldogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best team: 2009-2010<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Best Player: Gordon Hayward<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Honorable Mentions:<\/strong> Chad Tucker<\/a><\/strong>, Kelan Martin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/h5>\n
Best Coach<\/span>: Brad Stevens<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Creighton Bluejays<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Best Team: 1973-74<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Best Player: Doug McDermott<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Honorable Mentions:<\/strong> Paul Silas<\/a><\/strong>, Bob Gibson<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Bob Portman<\/a><\/strong>.<\/h5>\n
Best Coach<\/span>:<\/strong> Dana Altman<\/strong><\/h4>\n
DePaul Blue Demons<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Best Team: 1978-79<\/strong><\/h4>\n