It’s an argument we have heard since the Big East expanded to 18 teams: Is the conference too big and too hard? When you see the rankings and the Big East has 7 teams in the top 17 spots in the AP poll, you know the conference is really good. So why is it a bad thing for the Big East to be the most challenging and providing great games, night in and night out?

Answer: The NCAA Tournament. As is the unfortunate side-effect of the NCAA Tournament’s popularity and casual fans not paying attention until about now, what the Big East does in the NCAA Tournament is at issue.

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There’s a rhythm to certain things. Especially in the media and debating polls. After the Number One team loses.

In a situation like this weekend where Ohio State lost a close one at Wisconsin — where no road team wins. You get the arguments that the No. 1 team, maybe shouldn’t fall just because they lost. Especially when you look at where and how they lost. You have the debate about the 2 and 3 teams. Maybe the No. 4 team, but that seems too far a reach. Especially since it would mean dropping the No. 1 team all the way to No. 4.

In particular with Pitt, and the initial reaction to the win on Saturday. Everyone acknowledges that it was a great win for Pitt. A tough road win, against a top-10 team in the toughest conference. Done without Pitt’s leading scorer. But the debate kind of leaves Pitt out of the discussion, for vague reasons. Whether it is tired, inaccurate claim that Pitt lacks sufficient offense, or another team is just playing so much better than everyone else right now (Texas), or another is has the most NBA-potential talent and depth (Kansas), or that the other has the best NBA prospect (Ohio State).

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