Originally Published: March 16, 2009
Dancing Lessons: Do strong survive?
Historical trend favors UNC, Duke to reach Final Four
Which conference is the best?
The question is posed countless times each college basketball season. But does "the best conference" mean anything come the start of the NCAA tournament? According to the history of at least one college basketball power ranking, it does, and that's great news for the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
COLLEGE HOOPS ON ESPN INSIDER
ESPN Insider delves into the bracket and the bubble every week:
Inside the Bracket
- Mar. 14: Clemson's retractable claws
- Mar. 13: Louisville - Mighty or vulnerable?
- Mar. 12: UConn's deep impact
- Mar. 11: Next step for Xavier?
- Mar. 10: Bombs away for Cal?
- Mar. 9: Teams improving seeds
- Mar. 6: Holes in the Heels
- Mar. 2: How good is KU?
- Feb. 27: Talking about Tigers
- Feb. 23: Upset power for Texas
- Feb. 20: Will ranked team miss Dance?
- Feb. 16: Missouri runs and rises
- Feb. 13: Beware Pac attack
- Feb. 9: Gators set to strike?
- Feb. 6: Orange aided by SOS
- Feb. 4: MSU: No shot for top seed
- Jan. 30: Field lacks Pac-10
- Jan. 26: Top seed of OU?
- Jan. 22: Irish RPI is ailing
- Jan. 13: Mid-majors, SEC slipping
- Jan. 6: Gonzaga's slide not terminal
Bubble Insider
- Mar. 13: Davidson doesn't belong
- Mar. 13: Friday status report
- Mar. 12: Bubble status report
- Mar. 11: Utah's coattails
- Mar. 10: Magic numbers
- Mar. 9: Creighton collapse
- Mar. 8: The final countdown
- Mar. 5: Last chance looming
- Mar. 1: Sorting out the field
- Feb. 26: Mock bracket lessons
- Feb. 22: Big East vs. ACC
- Feb. 19: Bubble Buster weekend
- Feb. 12: Big Ten, 12 take hits
- Feb. 5: Miami rises as Irish fall
Game Plan
- Feb. 28: Cards too tough
- Feb. 20: Survival at stake for Butler
- Feb. 16: UConn-Pitt is battle of boards
Dancing Lessons
- Mar. 11: Spoiler alert!
- Rumors: Calipari adding fire to Pearl feud
- The Mag: Confidential player surveys
- NBA Draft Blog: Most volatile draft stocks
- Pick Center: Simulate the scoreboard