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Top 50 Most Successful March Madness Programs Of The Modern Era

ByMat Mlodzinski

Mar 29, 2023
Jim Calhoun, UConn Huskies, Big East basketball, March MadnessNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies reacts against the DePaul Blue Demons during their first round game of the 2012 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

UConn won its sixth national championship, passing Duke on the all-time list. But where do the Huskies rank in the grand scheme of March Madness success?

*Updated Apr. 9, 2025*

Like anything in sports, it’s all debatable. UCLA has the most national championships with 11, but 10 of them came before the NCAA Tournament expanded in 1985. Gonzaga only has two Final Four appearances, but only became a college basketball powerhouse in the 21st century.

To try and keep as much debate out of the room as possible, I came up with a (minimally flawed) system to truly rank programs by their March Madness success since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams (and now 68). It goes as follows.

March Madness program rankings rubric:

  • NCAA Tournament appearance (since 1985) – 1 point
  • Eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 4 points
  • Eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points
  • Won National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

*Programs are awarded points for an appearance, plus how far they make it in the NCAA Tournament plus the FURTHEST they advanced in that tournament. In other words, a team that won the National Championship in 1990 will get 17 points.

1. Duke – 246 points

  • 38 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 38 points
  • 14 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 56 points
  • 9 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 72 points
  • 5 National Championships (since 1985) – 80 points

2. North Carolina – 216 points

  • 36 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 36 points
  • 13 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 52 points
  • 8 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 64 points
  • 4 National Championships (since 1985) – 64 points

3. Kansas – 195 points

  • 39 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 39 points
  • 13 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 52 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 56 points
  • 3 National Championships (since 1985) – 48 points

4. Kentucky – 182 points

  • 34 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 34 points
  • 15 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 60 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 40 points
  • 3 National Championships (since 1985) – 48 points

5. UConn – 165 points

  • 25 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 25 points
  • 9 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 36 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 6 National Championships (since 1985) – 96 points

6. Michigan State – 146 points

  • 34 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 34 points
  • 10 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 40 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 56 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

7. Arizona – 140 points

  • 36 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 36 points
  • 16 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 64 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

8. UCLA – 126 points

  • 30 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 30 points
  • 12 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 48 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 32 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T9. Florida – 121 points

  • 25 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 25 points
  • 6 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 3 National Championships (since 1985) – 48 points

T9. Syracuse – 121 points

  • 29 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 29 points
  • 11 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 44 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 32 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

11. Louisville – 115 points

  • 27 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 27 points
  • 10 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 40 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 2 National Championships (since 1985) – 32 points

12. Villanova – 109 points

  • 25 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 25 point
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 3 National Championships (since 1985) – 48 points

13. Michigan – 104 points

  • 24 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 8 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 32 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 32 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

14. Gonzaga – 91 points

  • 27 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 27 points
  • 12 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 48 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T15. Indiana – 87 points

  • 27 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 27 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T15. Purdue – 87 points

  • 31 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 31 points
  • 12 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 48 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

17. Arkansas – 84 points

  • 24 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 7 times Eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T18. Maryland – 80 points

  • 24 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 8 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 32 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T18. Oklahoma – 80 points

  • 28 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 24 points

20. Wisconsin – 78 points

  • 26 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 26 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 24 points

21. Texas – 67 points

  • 31 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 31 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

22. Ohio State – 66 points

  • 22 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 22 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 24 points

23. Alabama – 65 points

  • 21 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 21 points
  • 9 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 36 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

24. Xavier – 64 points

  • 28 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 9 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 36 points

25. Illinois – 63 points

  • 27 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 27 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

26. Georgetown – 62 points

  • 22 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 22 point
  • 6 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T27. UNLV – 59 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T27. Memphis – 57 points

  • 21 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 21 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T27. Virginia – 57 points

  • 21 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 21 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

30. Tennessee – 55 points

  • 19 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 19 points
  • 9 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 36 points

31. West Virginia – 54 points

  • 18 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 18 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

32. Oklahoma State – 52 points

  • 20 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

33. Iowa State – 51 points

  • 23 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 23 points
  • 7 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 28 points

34. NC State – 50 points

  • 18 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 18 points
  • 6 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final Four or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T35. Georgia Tech – 48 points

  • 16 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T35. Marquette – 48 points

  • 20 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T37. Cincinnati – 47 points

  • 23 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 23 point
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T37. Oregon – 47 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 6 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T39. Baylor – 46 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T39. LSU – 46 points

  • 18 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 18 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

41. Auburn – 45 points

  • 13 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 13 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T42. Utah – 44 points

  • 16 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T42. Temple – 44 points

  • 24 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 24 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points

T44. Butler – 43 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T44. Houston – 43 points

  • 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 11 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 16 points

T44. Texas Tech – 43 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T47. Stanford – 40 points

  • 16 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

T47. Pittsburgh – 40 points

  • 20 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 20 points
  • 5 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 20 points

49. Missouri – 39 points

  • 23 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 23 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

50. Florida State – 38 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 6 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 24 points

Notables:

Miami (Fla) – 35 points

  • 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 11 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Notre Dame – 35 points

  • 19 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 19 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

San Diego State – 35 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Seton Hall – 34 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Iowa – 33 points

  • 21 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 21 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points

Kansas State – 32 points

  • 16 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

St. John’s – 32 points

  • 16 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 16 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Creighton – 31 points

  • 19 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 19 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points

Wake Forest – 31 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

Clemson – 30 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

Providence – 30 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Vanderbilt – 30 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

BYU – 29 points

  • 21 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 21 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points

Minnesota – 28 points

  • 12 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

USC – 27 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points

Washington – 27 points

  • 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 11 points
  • 4 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 16 points

Mississippi State – 25 points

  • 13 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 13 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 4 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Texas A&M – 24 points

  • 12 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points

Boston College – 23 points

  • 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 11 points
  • 3 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 12 points

VCU – 23 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Cal – 22 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points

Loyola Chicago – 20 points

  • 4 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 4 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

Nevada – 18 points

  • 10 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 10 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points

DePaul – 17 points

  • 9 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 9 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points

Ole Miss – 17 points

  • 9 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 9 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points

Saint Mary’s – 17 points

  • 13 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 13 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 4 points

Georgia – 16 points

  • 12 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 12 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 4 points

St. Joe’s – 16 points

  • 8 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 8 points
  • 2 times eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 8 points

Dayton – 15 points

  • 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 11 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Sweet 16 or Elite 8 (since 1985) – 4 points

Utah State – 15 points

  • 15 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 15 points

New Mexico – 14 points

  • 14 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 14 points

South Carolina – 14 points

  • 6 NCAA Tournament appearances (since 1985) – 6 points
  • 1 time eliminated in Final 4 or National Championship (since 1985) – 8 points

By Mat Mlodzinski