From here:
West Virginia's upset might have been the defining moment for the new Big East. It gave the seven-team league instant credibility --arguably its biggest victory of all.
The Big East standings at the end of last year:
| Big East | Conf | All |
| West Virginia (6) | 5-2 | 11-2 |
| Connecticut | 5-2 | 9-4 |
| Cincinnati (17) | 4-3 | 10-3 |
| South Florida | 4-3 | 9-4 |
| Louisville | 3-4 | 6-6 |
| Rutgers | 3-4 | 8-5 |
| Pittsburgh | 3-4 | 5-7 |
| Syracuse | 1-6 | 2-10 |
I mean, Syracuse has sucked pretty hard, but last I checked they were still in the Big East.
EDIT: Apparently the Big East had 7 teams in 2004; however, that line was from the 2005 season, so ....still no credit.
