Ranking college basketball conferences

Computer rankings are fine, but college basketball is all about the NCAA tournament ? how many teams from a conference qualify and how many advance to the regional semifinals, regional finals and Final Four. A league's best and worst teams aren't always the truest indicators of a conference's overall strength. So, with those factors as a guide, here is Times staff writer Diane Pucin's ranking of the top 10 conferences in college basketball ? with the Pac-12 hanging in there by a thread. (Records through Tuesday).

1. Big Ten

Nonconference record: 123-28 (.815).

Signature wins: Indiana def. Kentucky, 73-72; Ohio State def. Duke, 85-63; Illinois def. Gonzaga, 82-75.

Teams in the top 25: 5.

Sweet 16 possibilities: Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue.

Other tournament possibilities: Northwestern, Minnesota, Nebraska.

2. Big East

Nonconference record: 151-43 (.778).

Signature wins: Georgetown def. Memphis, 91-88 (OT) and 70-59, and Alabama, 57-55; Syracuse def. Florida, 72-68; Marquette def. Wisconsin, 61-54.

Teams in the top 25: 6.

Sweet 16 possibilities: Syracuse, Marquette, Louisville, Georgetown, Connecticut, West Virginia.

Other tournament possibilities: Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Cincinnati.

3. Big 12

Nonconference record: 89-24 (.788).

Signature wins: Missouri def. Illinois, 78-74, and California, 92-53; Kansas def. Georgetown, 67-63, and Ohio State, 78-67; Baylor def. San Diego State, 77-67; Kansas State def. Alabama, 71-58.

Teams in the top 25: 3.

Sweet 16 possibilities: Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma.

Other tournament possibilities: Texas, Iowa State.

Source: http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/sports/college/basketball/~3/lohgRJ5Lq4I/la-sp-1229-college-basketball-rankings-20111229,0,4419250.story

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