The Power 5 college basketball conferences are widely regarded as the most competitive in the NCAA, showcasing elite programs year after year. However, some notable teams from these prestigious conferences have failed to qualify for their respective conference tournaments this season, which marked a significant disappointment.
Despite their rich histories, teams such as Nebraska, Penn State, Washington, NC State, Boston College, and Miami were unable to secure the necessary positions to make the cut.
As March approaches and the college basketball universe turns its attention to the conference tournaments, several top Power 5 teams are left looking in. This sad situation serves as an indicator of the uncertainty and brutal competition that exists within these conferences. Let’s examine what Power 5 teams didn’t get into the big dance.
Teams That Missed the Mark
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last year, Nebraska qualified for the Big Ten Tournament but had an early exit. This year, though, the Cornhuskers had a tough year ending out of the Big Ten Tournament. They had some close games but ended with a 7-13 conference record, falling short of a postseason appearance.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State had a strong showing last season, making it to the Big Ten Tournament but falling short of advancing deep into the postseason. This year, however, the Nittany Lions couldn’t repeat that success. They finished with a 5-12 conference record, which led to their exclusion from the Big Ten Tournament.
Washington Huskies
Washington had a disappointing season in the Pac-12, finishing with a 4-12 conference record, which left them out of the Pac-12 Tournament. Last year, Washington was also excluded from the tournament, and unfortunately, their struggles continued this season, preventing them from making a postseason appearance.
NC State Wolfpack
NC State enjoyed a great year last season, capturing the ACC Tournament and earning an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Which they then turned into a Final Four run. This season, though, they were unable to do so. The Wolfpack posted a 5-15 ACC record that left them out of the ACC Tournament. Their performance ultimately led to the termination of head coach Kevin Keatts.
Boston College Eagles
Boston College, who had an inconsistent season last year but managed to secure a spot in the ACC Tournament, faced similar struggles this season. With an 8-12 conference record, they missed the ACC Tournament this time. Despite winning the Cayman Islands Classic, they couldn’t maintain consistency in the ACC.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami made it to the ACC Tournament last year but had a tough performance. This year, the Hurricanes struggled even more with a 2-14 conference record that excluded them from the ACC Tournament. Despite their star-studded roster, Miami could not take advantage of favorable matchups this year, resulting in their postseason ineligibility.
KEEP READING: Why Some Teams Prefer the NIT Over March Madness
These teams’ exclusion from their conference playoffs highlights collegiate basketball’s intense rivalry and unpredictable nature. Their stories demonstrate programs’ difficulties in sustaining steady performance in changing circumstances.
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