The 25 best school basketball groups that did not win a nationwide championship

[ad_1] Typically the very best school basketball groups, on each the boys's or ladies's aspect, ended up developing quick when it got here to successful a nationwide title. With that in thoughts, this is a have a look at the 25 greatest groups who did not win all of it.

** Denotes ladies's groups

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25. Duke (1985-86) Richh Clarkson/NCAA Pictures through Getty Photographs

To be honest, this was the Duke squad that initiated this system's standing as an elite, perennial nationwide basketball energy. Because the Blue Devils' basketball inventory continued to rise through the Nineteen Eighties below Mike Krzyzewski, the 1985-86 group had the makings of the college's first nationwide title. With Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie, Jay Bilas, Tommy Amaker and Danny Ferry, Duke gained each the ACC common season and event crowns. After shedding its first two video games -- again to again -- in opposition to ranked North Carolina and Georgia Tech groups in January, the Blue Devils reeled off 21 straight wins. Nevertheless, they had been upset 72-69 by Pervis Ellison and Louisville within the 1986 nationwide championship recreation.

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24. **Virginia (1990-91) Jim Gund/Allsport/Getty Photographs

In terms of ladies's basketball greatness at Virginia, Debbie Ryan's '90-91 bunch continues to be the gold normal. The Cavaliers, who featured standout Tonya Cardoza and hot-shot Daybreak Staley, went 31-3. They earned a No. 1 seed and reached the Remaining 4 for the second time throughout a stretch of three straight such appearances. UVA ultimately met powerhouse Tennessee for its first, and to this point, solely title-game look. The Cavaliers led by 5 within the ultimate two minutes, however went chilly from the sphere, and the Girl Vols, due to some key free throws from Dena Head, pressured extra time. Tennessee managed the additional session for a 70-67 victory.

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23. Kentucky (1996-97) Sporting Information through Getty Photographs

Often called "The Untouchables," this 1996-97 Kentucky group featured a number of gamers who went on to take pleasure in numerous ranges of NBA success—notably Ron Mercer (18.1 ppg), Scott Padgett and Nazr Mohammed. The Wildcats went 3-1 in opposition to top-10 opponents that season, and took a 35-4 document into their nationwide championship contest in opposition to Arizona, which was the No. 4 seed and proprietor of 9 losses. Nevertheless, these pesky Wildcats, led by Mike Bibby and Miles Simon, wouldn't go away, and ultimately outlasted the favorites for an 84-79 extra time triumph.

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22. Wichita State (2013-14) Andy Lyons/Getty Photographs

One season after reaching the Remaining 4 amid a shock run, these Shockers seemed poised to complete the job in 2014. With 4 gamers averaging double figures (most notably Fred VanVleet, Cleanthony Early and Ron Baker) and holding opponents to simply below 60 factors per recreation, Wichita State was 35-0 when it confronted a 10-loss, however enhancing Kentucky squad within the Elite Eight. In what would develop into one of many nice NCAA Match video games of the last decade, the Wildcats, who shot 54 p.c, squeaked out a 78-76 victory to finish Wichita State’s good season, regardless of the Shockers making 55.1 p.c of their photographs and going 10-of-21 from 3-point vary.

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21. Cincinnati (1962-63) NCAA

The Bearcats had been attempting to make historical past by changing into the primary group to win three straight nationwide championships. Led by Tom Thacker and Ron Bonham, Cincinnati was 26-1 getting into the nationwide title recreation in opposition to a powerful, and, what would develop into, historic Loyola, Chicago squad. The Bearcats led 29-21 at halftime, however regardless of holding Loyola to 27.4-percent taking pictures, they might not overcome 16 turnovers in falling 60-58 in extra time. When it comes to historic significance, that assembly was necessary as a result of seven African-American gamers had began the competition.

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20. Gonzaga (2016-17) Bob Donnan/Imagn Photographs

Almost twenty years within the making, Gonzaga lastly reached the nationwide championship recreation. After tapping into the switch marketplace for big-timers Nigel Williams-Goss (16.8 ppg), Jordan Mathews (10.6 ppg) and Johnathan Williams (10.2 ppg), the Zags averaged 82.6 factors and suffered only one regular-season loss. Gonzaga, which tied the Division I document for wins in a season at 37, had a tougher time through the NCAA event, with three wins by six factors or fewer. All of it lastly caught up with the Bulldogs in a 71-65 loss to North Carolina. In what was a somewhat poorly performed (every shot under 36 p.c) nationwide championship recreation.

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19. **Tennessee (1994-95) Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Photographs

The Girl Vols had been poised to document a fourth nationwide championship below legendary coach Pat Summitt. Following a 3rd straight undefeated run through the SEC common season, Tennessee eyed its first nationwide championship since 1991. Led by the versatile Nikki McCray, the Girl Vols rolled by way of their first 5 video games of the NCAA event, successful every by a minimum of 20 factors. Nevertheless, Tennessee bumped into a good hotter group in Connecticut within the nationwide ultimate. Paced by future legends Rebecca Lobo and Jennifer Rizzotti, UConn overcame a nine-point second-half result in win 80-74 and cap a 35-0 marketing campaign with its title — thus starting the game's most famed dynasty. Tennessee, in the meantime, completed 34-3.

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18. **Louisiana Tech (1986-87) Concentrate on Sport through Getty Photographs

Winners of the inaugural ladies's NCAA Match in 1982, the Girl Techsters had been runners-up in '83 (we'll get to that group quickly). It was 4 years later, led by famous person Teresa Weatherspoon, that Louisiana Tech returned to the nationwide ultimate with a 30-2 document. After knocking off fellow high seed Texas, which had one loss and was taking part in that Remaining 4 matchup on its residence court docket, the occasion ended for Louisiana Tech. Pat Summitt's Tennessee Girl Vols avenged a nine-point common season loss with a convincing 67-44 win for his or her first championship.

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17. Georgetown (1984-85) James Drake/Getty Photographs

Behind Patrick Ewing (14.6 ppg, 9.2 rebounds per recreation), Georgetown seemed poised to repeat as nationwide champion in 1985. The Hoyas began 18-0, then following back-to-back losses in Large East play, took a 17-game successful streak into their nationwide championship recreation matchup in opposition to upstart No. 8 seed Villanova, which they beat twice through the common season. An enormous motive for Georgetown's success was a protection that held opponents to 57.3 factors per recreation. Nevertheless, it couldn't discover a method to include the Wildcats, who went a blistering 22-of-28 from the sphere and made all however 5 of their 27 free-throw makes an attempt en path to a shocking 66-64 triumph. For good measure, the Hoyas, who completed 35-3, shot 54.7 p.c in that contest.

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16. Michigan (1992-93) Workers/Allsport/Getty Photographs

In 1992, Michigan's vaunted Fab 5 reached the nationwide championship recreation after successful three straight NCAA Match contests by a mixed 11 factors. That run ended with a 20-point loss to Duke, however set the stage for some unfinished enterprise in 1992-93. Although the achievements of that season had been ultimately erased by way of sanctions and penalties from the notorious Ed Martin scandal, the brash and boisterous Wolverines opened because the No. 1 group within the nation. After ending second within the Large Ten, Michigan set its sights on successful that nationwide title. Nevertheless, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Co., wanted to work simply to succeed in the title recreation, together with an extra time win versus UCLA within the second spherical and in opposition to Kentucky within the nationwide semifinals. The Wolverines' championship recreation tilt with North Carolina was one of the vital entertaining finals in event historical past, however for Michigan followers, principally remembered for Webber's timeout name when his group had none within the 77-71 defeat. They completed 31-5, thus ending the Fab 5's school profession.

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15. Ohio State (2006-07) Streeter Lecka/Getty Photographs

Anchored by stars Greg Oden (15.7 ppg, 9.6 rebounds per recreation) and Mike Conley (11.3 ppg, 6.1 assists per recreation), Ohio State boasted two of the very best gamers within the nation. The Buckeyes gained each the Large Ten's common season and event titles, whereas shedding simply as soon as in opposition to convention opponents all season. Ohio State (35-4) was additionally a stout defensive squad, permitting 62 factors per recreation. Nevertheless, there was one group higher than the Buckeyes in 2006-07 — Florida, which repeated as nationwide champion with its 84-75 victory over them within the NCAA ultimate.

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14. Memphis (2007-08) San Antonio Specific-Information/ZUMA Press/Icon Sportswire

One other group whose accomplishments had been erased by the NCAA as a result of numerous violations. On this case, testing points involving star Derrick Rose. That mentioned, the Tigers' now-unofficial 38-2 mark was the very best on-court efficiency the college has ever seen. Although Rose (14.9 ppg, 4.7 apg) and Chris Douglas-Roberts (18.1 ppg) had been two of the sport's high offensive stars on the time, this Memphis squad performed some stellar protection whereas permitting 61.9 factors per recreation. Nevertheless, Kansas shot 52.7 p.c, and Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins hit massive photographs to assist take down the Tigers, 75-68 in extra time of the nationwide ultimate.

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13. Indiana (1974-75) Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures through Getty Photographs

The Hoosiers needed to wait yet another season to win this system’s third nationwide championship. And, did so in grand vogue by going undefeated. Nevertheless, many imagine this 1974-75 squad was an general higher group with the identical solid of stars in Scott Could, Quinn Buckner and Kent Benson. Indiana took a 31-0 document into its Elite Eight contest versus Kentucky, the place Benson had 33 factors and 23 rebounds, however the Wildcats pulled off a 92-90 upset victory. Thus leaving the Hoosiers with some unfinished enterprise to maintain the subsequent season.

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12. **Stanford (2009-10) Ronald Martinez/Getty Photographs

This 2009-10 Stanford group misplaced simply two video games each by the hands of Connecticut. The primary got here at Hartford simply earlier than Christmas. The opposite concluded the season, 53-47, within the nationwide championship recreation. Apart from these setbacks, the Cardinal gained a program-record 36 video games. Jayne Appel, Jeanette Pohlen and Nnemkadi Ogwumike starred for a squad that produced Stanford's second nationwide runner-up over a three-year span. Throughout the season, Appel grew to become the Pac-10's all-time main rebounder by breaking Lisa Leslie's document of 1,214.

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11. **Louisiana Tech (1982-83) YouTube

Trying to win the primary two NCAA ladies's nationwide championships, Louisiana Tech seemed to be in fine condition by taking a 31-1 document into the season's third assembly with USC — with a nationwide title on the road. The groups cut up the 2 regular-season matchups, and it will be the Trojans who handed the Girl Techsters their solely different defeat of the 1982-83 season. Behind one of many all-time greats, Cheryl Miller, USC led late. Louisiana Tech had a ultimate likelihood to tie the sport, however a last-second shot by Kim Mulkey (the longtime Baylor coach now at LSU) missed for the 69-67 end.

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10. **Mississippi State (2017-18) Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire

After falling in need of this system's first nationwide title in 2017, the Bulldogs had been again within the event championship recreation one yr later. Mississippi State carried a 37-1 document into its title matchup with a two-loss Notre Dame squad. That is after needing extra time to beat Louisville within the Remaining 4. In what is likely to be thought-about the best ultimate recreation within the historical past of the ladies's event, Teaira McCowan and Victoria Vivians (21 factors within the ultimate) helped the Bulldogs to a 30-17 halftime lead. Nevertheless, the Irish fought again, and star Arike Ogunbowale dashed Mississippi State's goals of that first title through her 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left in regulation for a 61-58 Notre Dame triumph.

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9. Gonzaga (2020-21) Robert Scheer/Indianapolis Star/USA TODAY NETWORK

Trying to develop into the primary group since Indiana from 1975-76 to go undefeated, Gonzaga appeared in fine condition to not solely win its first nationwide title, however make historical past, too. Drew Timme (19.0 ppg), Corey Kispert (18.6 ppg) and Jalen Suggs (14.4 ppg) had been amongst school basketball's elite, and these Bulldogs had been successful video games by greater than a mean of 20.0 factors. Nevertheless, possibly it was an omen when the Bulldogs wanted Suggs' shot from simply in entrance of half court docket to bail them out in extra time versus UCLA within the Remaining 4. Gonzaga (31-1) was then roughed up 86-70 by a plucky Baylor group that made 10 3-pointers, held a 38-22 rebounding benefit and compelled 14 turnovers within the nationwide ultimate.

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8. Illinois (2004-05) Sporting Information through Getty Photographs

The hype surrounding the 2004-05 Illini started with a Candy 16 loss Duke a season earlier And, this Illinois membership, led by Deron Williams (12.5 ppg, 6.8 apg), Dee Brown (13.3 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Luther Head (15.9 ppg), ran out the identical beginning lineup each recreation, was ranked No. 1 a lot of the season and sat 29-0 earlier than shedding to Ohio State by some extent within the regular-season finale. Illinois did not lose once more till the college's first nationwide championship-game look, 75-70 to North Carolina to complete 37-2.

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7. Kentucky (2014-15) Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photographs

Karl-Anthony Cities (10.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) was the very best participant on this Kentucky group, and there may not have been a deeper group of expertise than this bunch possessed (Devin Booker didn’t even begin). It appeared like a foregone conclusion that Kentucky would win the nationwide title because it entered the Remaining 4 at 38-0. Nevertheless, a two-point win over Notre Dame within the Elite Eight confirmed some vulnerability within the Wildcats. Then, they couldn’t hold Wisconsin from taking pictures 47.9-percent and going 18-of-22 from the free-throw line of their memorable 71-64 nationwide semifinal defeat.

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6. Houston (1982-83) Concentrate on Sport through Getty Photographs

Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Michael Younger, Benny Anders, Larry Micheaux. Phi Slama Jama. This was essentially the most thrilling group school hoops had ever seen, as much as that time. Excessive-flying, dunk after dunk, the Cougars appeared poised to win the college's first nationwide title after reaching the Remaining 4 a yr earlier. After dropping back-to-back video games following a 4-0 begin, Houston gained 26 straight video games, beginning in mid-December. And, when the Cougars drew a 10-loss North Carolina State squad within the nationwide championship recreation, that title appeared like a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, Jim Valvano's "Cardiac Pack" was a destined group, and held the Cougars to 38.2 p.c taking pictures, and Drexler, Micheaux and Younger to a mixed 14 factors. Houston gamers might solely watch as Lorenzo Charles turned Dereck Whittenburg's airball right into a game-winning dunk for a 54-52 NC State victory.

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5. **Notre Dame (2013-14) Don McPeak/Imagn Photographs

By the early 2010s, there was a powerful rivalry brewing between Notre Dame and Connecticut throughout the ladies's recreation. When the 2 powers met within the 2014 nationwide ultimate, and every with out a loss, it marked the primary time that occurred within the historical past of the ladies's NCAA Match. In the long run, the sport proved anti-climatic because the Huskies rolled, 79-58, to win the second of 4 straight titles. However, that should not take away from the season's accomplishments by the Irish, led by Kayla McBride and Jewell Loyd, who set a faculty document with 37 wins.

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4. Indiana State (1978-79) Wealthy Clarkson/NCAA Pictures through Getty Photographs

Nationwide Participant of the 12 months Larry Chook averaged 28.6 factors, however this was greater than a one-man present for an Indiana State squad that reached the NCAA Match for the primary time ever. Carl Nicks (19.3 ppg) was additionally an underrated star for the Sycamores, who carried a 33-0 document into their much-anticipated national-title matchup in opposition to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. But, within the most-watched school basketball recreation of all time, Johnson's Spartans had been the true stars. Chook had 19 factors with 13 rebounds, however Magic scored 24 and Michigan State shot 60.5 p.c en path to a 75-64 victory.

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3. Duke (1998-99) Craig Jones/Workers/Getty Photographs

Following a 5-0 begin, Duke misplaced by two in opposition to Cincinnati. With studs like Elton Model (17.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg), Trajan Langdon (17.3 ppg) and Corey Maggette (10.6 ppg), the Blue Devils gained their subsequent 32 video games. A exceptional feat for any group, however seemingly commonplace for this group, which averaged 91.8 factors, shot 51.4 p.c from the sphere and practically 40 p.c from past the 3-point arc. Duke gained its first two NCAA Match video games by 41 factors every, and rolled over Temple to earn a spot within the Remaining 4. The Blue Devils then held off second-ranked Michigan State to arrange one other marquee matchup, this time with No. 3 Connecticut within the nationwide ultimate. UConn introduced a 33-2 document into that contest, and because of 27 factors from Richard Hamilton, a collective 52.5 p.c taking pictures effort, and likewise a 38-27 rebounding benefit, it gained 77-74 to finish the mighty Blue Devils' season at 37-2 and with out a title.

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2. **South Carolina (2022-23) Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Photographs

The mighty Gamecocks had been a season faraway from successful their second nationwide championship, and rolled into the 2023 Remaining 4 with a 36-0 document and driving a 42-game successful streak in opposition to Iowa. Nevertheless, Hawkeyes famous person Caitlin Clark proved an excessive amount of for South Carolina to beat, scoring a nationwide semifinal-record 41 factors and formally solidifying herself as ladies's basketball icon. As well as, the Gamecocks shot 39 p.c general, and 4-of-20 from 3-point vary, whereas star Aliyah Boston had simply eight factors within the 77-73 loss.

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1. UNLV (1990-'91) Ken Levine/Getty Photographs

The reigning nationwide champions had been as soon as once more loaded with marquee expertise (Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Anderson Hunt and Greg Anthony), and anticipated to repeat because the kings of school basketball in 1991. UNLV completed the common season 27-0, and was aiming to develop into the primary group to go undefeated since that 1975-76 Indiana squad. Nevertheless, there are not any positive issues, because the Rebels had been upended 79-77 by Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley and Duke within the Remaining 4. Basically the identical Blue Devils squad that misplaced to UNLV 103-73 within the 1990 nationwide ultimate. Whereas UNLV completed 34-1, that loss stays one of the vital memorable upsets from any sport.