"Shaka Smart Blames DePaul's 'Worst Year Ever' for Big East March Madness Absence"

Marquette head coach Shaka Smart attributes the lack of Big East representation in the NCAA Tournament to a "perfect storm" of factors, including UConn's exceptional season and DePaul's dismal performance. The absence of teams like St. John’s, Seton Hall, and Providence has sparked criticism of the selection process, with some coaches questioning the reliance on analytics and strength of schedule. The final four teams that made the cut were Boise State, Colorado, Virginia, and Colorado State.