The discussions regarding expectations for our hoops team has led me down a couple rabbit holes, and one I thought was somewhat interesting (sad), and adds some perspective on "where we are," historically, as a program:
64 different teams have made a Final Four since we last accomplished the feat
37 of those are currently in P5 conferences, 27 in mid-major/other. That means well over half of the P5 programs (65, currently, as ND plays hoops in the ACC) have been to a Final Four since our last trip)
34 teams have made MULTIPLE Final Fours since we were last there (including Wichita State)
25 out of 65 P5 teams have MULTIPLE Final Fours since our last
17 P5 teams have 3 or more trips; 15 have four or more, 12 have five or more.
5 current B12 teams have made a FF appearance since our last; none of the four who left have ever been in a Final Four
I post this only to add perspective about where we have (and have not) been, as a program, for the last 50+ years, and how that compares to the high-water marks for other programs, collectively.
