Did anyone ever consider the state of the pac10 or whatever conference Pitt was in at the time of howland at 3? I'm not sure either conference had the resurgence the sec had two years. Three years past may not be the same now a days and conference strength.
The Big East was solid in 2001-02. Pitt was #9 in the nation and made the sweet 16. Uconn and Miami were very good that year. Across the board the conference was stacked with ballers.
First Round
Boston College lost (70-57) versus Texas (Midwest Regional)
Connecticut won (78-67) versus Hampton (East Regional)
Miami (FL) lost (93-80) versus Missouri (West Regional)
Notre Dame won (82-63) versus Charlotte (South Regional)
Pittsburgh won (71-54) versus Central Connecticut State (South Regional)
St. John's (NY) lost (80-70) versus Wisconsin (East Regional)
Second Round
Connecticut won (77-74) versus North Carolina State (East Regional)
Notre Dame lost (84-77) versus Duke (South Regional)
Pittsburgh won (63-50) versus University of California (South Regional)
Regional Semifinal
Connecticut won (71-59) versus Southern Illinois (East Regional)
Pittsburgh lost (78-73) versus Kent State (South Regional)
Regional Final
Connecticut lost (90-82) versus Maryland (East Regional)
Maryland won the National Championship
The Big East was pretty average in 2002-03. Pitt was #4 in the nation with a trip to the sweet 16. They battled with a pretty good Syracuse team lead by Carmelo Anthony, they only won the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. A guy named Ben Gordon played at Uconn and took them to the sweet 16. Brey’s Notre Dame squad made the sweet 16. Seton Hall and Boston College were very solid. 6 teams made it to the big dance.
Bottom line is no one wanted to play a Big East team during those years. They were known as a basketball conference. They were way better than the SEC is today.