The historical past of the lads’s NCAA Match began in 1938. This 12 months’s occasion was the 83rd version of March Madness, giving loads of alternatives for the very best faculty basketball packages to win a nationwide title.
The unpredictable nature of the match, nonetheless, has left lots of the greatest names nonetheless in search of that final achievement. A number of of these groups made runs this postseason earlier than once more falling quick. Some have traditionally been excellent, however are experiencing a latest downturn. All have gotten shut and doubtless will once more.
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An inventory of the very best eight packages by no means to chop down the nets on the Last 4.
Gonzaga
Twenty 5 years in the past it might have been inconceivable that the Bulldogs can be on this record. In truth, most individuals would not have even recognized about Gonzaga until they had been followers of John Stockton. Flash ahead to at this time and this system simply concluded its twenty third consecutive NCAA look and has emerged as of the elites in faculty basketball. The lone factor lacking is that elusive title. The Bulldogs have been seeded No. 1 5 occasions, together with this season, and made two championship video games up to now 5 tournaments.
Houston
Even when the Cougars hadn’t reached the Last 4 and Elite Eight up to now two seasons, they might be on this record. Within the Sixties, led by Elvin Hayes, they made two Last Fours earlier than losses to UCLA. Hakeem Olajuwon led them to a few consecutive Last Fours within the Nineteen Eighties, together with losses to North Carolina State and Georgetown in consecutive nationwide championship video games with the Wolfpack pulling off one of many match’s greatest upsets to disclaim Houston a title. The Cougars have made six appearances within the Last 4, greater than any faculty on this record.
Illinois
The Combating Illini have been a No. 1 seed 4 occasions and made Last Fours twice (1989 and 2005) when attaining that standing. Amongst its 5 nationwide semifinals, Illinois misplaced to Kentucky in 1947 and 1951 earlier than ending third each years. The Wildcats additionally beat them in a controversial 1984 regional closing at Rupp Area that prompted the NCAA to ban groups from taking part in on their house ground within the regional spherical. That is considered one of 9 regional finals for Illinois. The closest it got here to successful the title was a slender loss to North Carolina within the 2005 championship sport.
Oklahoma
In addition to making the Last 4 in 1939 and 1947, the Sooners had no NCAA historical past to talk of earlier than Billy Tubbs arrived in 1980. They had been seeded No. 1 4 occasions in a six-year span beginning in 1984 and misplaced the nationwide championship sport in 1998 to Kansas. In complete, Oklahoma is equal with Gonzaga in being a No. 1 seed 5 occasions. Solely six groups have finished it extra. Kelvin Sampson and Lon Kruger additionally led the varsity to the Last 4 in 2002 and 2016, respectively, giving the varsity 5 nationwide semifinal appearances.
Purdue
A disappointing loss to Saint Peter’s was simply the most recent match frustration for the Boilermakers, who seemingly have used up all their good karma within the common season after which seen their postseason expectations ruined. They’ve had 44 match wins, essentially the most of any workforce with no title, however solely made two Last Fours. A memorable loss to Virginia in 2019 stopped Purdue from reaching a 3rd. Maybe the legislation of averages will play in its favor. This 12 months was the thirtieth look in 39 tournaments, so sooner or later they’ve to interrupt by way of, proper?
Notre Dame
No different faculty has been to extra tournaments and did not win a title than the Combating Irish. A good portion of these 37 appearances got here through the tenure of Digger Phelps, who took Notre Dame to the Last 4 in 1978 and in addition ended UCLA’s file 88-game successful streak in 1974. The very best likelihood of successful the title could have been in 1979 when the Combating Irish had been seeded No. 1 earlier than shedding to Magic Johnson’s Michigan State workforce. Mike Brey has taken the varsity to regional finals in 2015 and 2016.
Texas
The Longhorns made Last 4 appearances within the early period of the match in 1943 and 1947 when the sector was solely eight groups. The opposite journey to the nationwide semifinals was in 2003 throughout a span of 14 consecutive match showings beneath Rick Barnes. Texas made its thirty sixth look this season, placing them one behind Notre Dame on this record.
Kansas State
It is perhaps stunning when you consider the Wildcats within the shadow of their in-state rivals, however they’ve their very own important match pedigree. Nevertheless, a lot of it got here within the earlier century. Ok-State has reached the Last 4 4 occasions, together with a runner-up end in 1951. Solely six packages can boast greater than its 12 appearances within the Elite Eight. The unhealthy information is that solely 10 of their 31 match berths have come since 1996.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness: Top men’s basketball programs without a title
