(updated through the end of calendar year 2016)
Let's look at some categories, and then add the rankings together.
Championships (weighted 2x)
1) UCLA (11) - 50 points
2) Kentucky (8) - 48 points
3) North Carolina (5) - 46 points
3) Indiana (5) - 46 points
3) Duke (5) - 46 points
6) UConn (4) - 40 points
7) Louisville (3) - 38 points
7) Kansas (3) - 38 points
9) Florida (2) - 34 points
9) Michigan State (2) - 34 points
9) NC State (2) - 34 points
9) Cincinnati (2) - 34 points
9) Oklahoma State (2) - 34 points
9) San Francisco (2) - 34 points
9) Villanova (2) - 34 points
16) Syracuse (1) - 20 points
16) Utah (1) - 20 points
16) Arizona (1) - 20 points
16) Georgetown (1) - 20 points
16) Ohio State (1) - 20 points
16) Marquette (1) - 20 points
16) Oregon (1) - 20 points
16) Wisconsin (1) - 20 points
16) Stanford (1) - 20 points
16) Wyoming (1) - 20 points
16) Holy Cross (1) - 20 points
16) CCNY (1) - 20 points
16) La Salle (1) - 20 points
16) California (1) - 20 points
16) Loyola Ill. (1) - 20 points
16) UTEP (1) - 20 points
16) Maryland (1) - 20 points
16) Michigan (1) - 20 points
16) Arkansas (1) - 20 points
16) UNLV (1) - 20 points
Total Wins
1) Kentucky - 25 points
2) Kansas - 24 points
3) North Carolina - 23 points
4) Duke - 22 points
5) Temple - 21 points
6) Syracuse - 20 points
7) Notre Dame - 19 points
8) UCLA - 18 points
9) St. John's - 17 points
10) Indiana - 16 points
11) Louisville - 15 points
12) BYU - 14 points
13) Utah - 13 points
14) Illinois - 12 points
15) Texas - 11 points
16) Arizona - 10 points
17) Washington - 9 points
18) Pennsylvania - 8 points
19) Western Kentucky - 7 points
20) Cincinnati - 6 points
21) Purdue - 5 points
22) Oregon State - 4 points
23) West Virginia - 3 points
24) Princeton - 2 points
25) Villanova - 1 point
Winning percentage
1) Kentucky - 25 points
2) UNC - 24 points
3) Kansas - 23 points
4) Duke - 22 points
5) UCLA - 21 points
6) Syracuse - 20 points
7) Louisville - 19 points
8) Western Kentucky - 18 points
9) Arizona - 17 points
10) Notre Dame - 16 points
11) St. John's - 15 points
12) Illinois - 14 points
13) Villanova - 13 points
14) Utah - 12 points
15) UConn - 11 points
16) Murray State - 10 points
17) Temple - 9 points
18) Indiana - 8 points
19) Arkansas - 7 points
20) Cincinnati - 6 points
21) Missouri State - 5 points
22) Purdue - 4 points
23) Texas - 3 points
24) BYU - 2 points
25) NC State - 1 point
Tournament Appearances
1) Kentucky - 25 points
2) UNC - 24 points
3) Kansas - 23 points
3) UCLA - 23 points
5) Louisville - 21 points
6) Duke - 20 points
7) Indiana - 19 points
8) Villanova - 18 points
8) Notre Dame - 18 points
10) Syracuse - 16 points
11) Texas - 15 points
12) UConn - 14 points
12) Temple - 14 points
14) Arizona - 12 points
14) Marquette - 12 points
16) Michigan State - 10 points
16) Arkansas - 10 points
16) Georgetown - 10 points
16) Cincinnati - 10 points
16) Illinois - 10 points
16) Oklahoma - 10 points
22) Utah - 4 points
22) BYU - 4 points
24) St. John's - 2 points
24) Kansas State - 2 points
Final Fours
1) UNC - 25 points
2) Kentucky - 24 points
2) UCLA - 24 points
4) Duke - 22 points
5) Kansas - 21 points
6) Louisville - 20 points
6) Ohio State - 20 points
8) Michigan State - 18 points
9) Indiana - 17 points
10) Cincinnati - 16 points
10) Oklahoma State - 16 points
10) Arkansas - 16 points
10) Syracuse - 16 points
14) Connecticut - 12 points
14) Georgetown - 12 points
14) Florida - 12 points
14) Houston - 12 points
14) Illinois - 12 points
14) Michigan - 12 points
14) Oklahoma - 12 points
21) Arizona - 5 points
21) Kansas State - 5 points
21) LSU - 5 points
21) UNLV - 5 points
21) Utah - 5 points
21) Villanova - 5 points
21) Wisconsin - 5 points
Tournament Wins
1) Kentucky - 25 points
2) UNC - 24 points
3) Duke - 23 points
4) UCLA - 22 points
5) Kansas - 21 points
6) Louisville - 20 points
7) Indiana - 19 points
8) Syracuse - 18 points
9) Michigan State - 17 points
10) Connecticut - 16 points
11) Villanova - 15 points
12) Ohio State - 14 points
13) Arizona - 13 points
14) Michigan - 12 points
15) Georgetown - 11 points
16) Cincinnati - 10 points
17) Florida - 9 points
18) Arkansas - 8 points
18) Marquette - 8 points
18) Maryland - 8 points
18) Oklahoma - 8 points
22) Illinois - 4 points
23) Oklahoma State - 3 points
24) Utah - 3 points
25) NC State - 2 points
25) Notre Dame - 2 points
Tournament Win Percentage (min. 25 games)
1) Duke - 25 points
2) North Carolina - 24 points
3) UCLA - 23 points
4) Michigan - 22 points
5) Florida - 21 points
6) Kentucky - 20 points
7) Kansas - 19 points
8) Michigan State - 18 points
9) UConn - 17 points
10) Indiana - 16 points
11) Ohio State - 15 points
12) Louisville - 14 points
13) UNLV - 13 points
14) Wisconsin - 12 points
15) Syracuse - 11 points
16) Arizona - 10 points
17) Maryland - 9 points
18) Georgetown - 8 points
19) Villanova - 7 points
20) Memphis - 6 points
21) Cincinnati - 5 points
22) Butler - 4 points
23) San Francisco - 3 points
24) Seton Hall - 2 points
25) Oklahoma State - 1 point
25) Oregon - 1 point
Composite rankings (adding points for all lists)
1) Kentucky - 192
2) UNC - 190
3) UCLA - 181
4) Duke - 180
5) Kansas - 169
6) Louisville - 147
7) Indiana - 141
8) Syracuse - 121
9) UConn - 110
10) Michigan State - 97
11) Villanova - 93
12) Arizona - 87
12) Cincinnati - 87
14) Florida - 76
15) Ohio State - 69
16) Michigan - 66
17) Georgetown - 61
17) Arkansas - 61
19) Utah - 57
20) Notre Dame - 55
21) Oklahoma State - 54
22) Illinois - 52
23) Temple - 44
24) Marquette - 40
25) UNLV - 38
Monday, March 30, 2015
The top teams of the six-round NCAA tournament era (and before)
Since 1985
1) Duke (4 titles, 12 FFs, 30 appearances)
2) UConn (4 titles, 5 FFs, 18 appearances)
3) North Carolina (3 titles, 9 FFs, 28 appearances)
4) Kentucky (3 titles, 8 FFs, 25 appearances)
5) Kansas (2 titles, 8 FFs, 30 appearances)
6) Florida (2 titles, 5 FFs, 17 appearances)
7) Louisville (2 titles, 4 FFs, 24 appearances)
8) Michigan State (1 title, 7 FFs, 25 appearances)
9) Arizona (1 title, 4 FFs, 27 appearances)
10) Syracuse (1 title, 4 FFs, 25 appearances)
11) UCLA (1 title, 4 FFs, 24 appearances)
12) Indiana (1 title, 3 FFs, 24 appearances)
13) Arkansas (1 title, 3 FFs, 18 appearances)
14) UNLV (1 title, 3 FFs, 15 appearances)
Missed the cutoff (fewer than 3 Final Fours):
Villanova, Michigan
Before 1985
1) UCLA (10 titles, 13 FFs, 22 appearances)
2) Kentucky (5 titles, 9 FFs, 29 appearances)
3) Indiana (4 titles, 5 FFs, 14 appearances)
4) North Carolina (2 titles, 9 FFs, 18 appearances)
5) Cincinnati (2 titles, 5 FFs, 10 appearances)
6) Oklahoma State (2 titles, 4 FFs, 9 appearances)
7) San Francisco (2 titles, 3 FFs, 14 appearances)
8) North Carolina State (2 titles, 3 FFs, 11 appearances)
9) Ohio State (1 title, 8 FFs, 13 appearances)
10) Louisville (1 title, 6 FFs, 17 appearances)
11) Kansas (1 title, 6 FFs, 14 appearances)
12) Utah (1 title, 3 FFs, 13 appearances)
13) Georgetown (1 title, 3 FFs, 9 appearances)
14) California (1 title, 3 FFs, 5 appearances)
Missed the cutoff (fewer than 3 Final Fours):
Marquette, Michigan State, UTEP, Loyola (Chicago), LaSalle, CCNY, Holy Cross, Wyoming, Stanford, Wisconsin, Oregon
Here are some detailed profiles of the top schools in the six-round era:
Duke
Current streak: made 20 in a row
Appearances: 30 (missed 1995)
Sweet 16s: 22
Elite 8s: 14
Final 4s: 12
Titles: 4
Appearances before 1985: 9
Sweet 16s before 1985: 6
Elite 8s before 1985: 6
Final 4s before 1985: 4
Titles before 1985: 0
Connecticut
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 18
Sweet 16s: 13
Elite 8s: 10
Final 4s: 5
Titles: 4
Appearances before 1985: 13
Sweet 16s before 1985: 3
Elite 8s before 1985: 1
Final 4s before 1985: 0
Titles before 1985: 0
North Carolina
Current streak: made 5 in a row
Appearances: 28 (missed 2002, 2003, 2010)
Sweet 16s: 20
Elite 8s: 15
Final 4s: 9
Titles: 3
Appearances before 1985: 18
Sweet 16s before 1985: 11
Elite 8s before 1985: 11 (2 during the 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 9
Titles before 1985: 2
Kentucky
Current streak: made 2 in a row
Appearances: 25 (vacated 1988, missed 1989, 1990, 1991, 2009, 2013)
Sweet 16s: 18
Elite 8s: 15
Final 4s: 8
Titles: 3
Appearances before 1985: 29
Sweet 16s before 1985: 23
Elite 8s before 1985: 21 (4 during the 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 9
Titles before 1985: 5
Kansas
Current streak: made 26 in a row
Appearances: 30 (missed in 1989)
Sweet 16s: 19
Elite 8s: 12
Final 4s: 8
Titles: 2
Appearances before 1985: 14
Sweet 16s before 1985: 9
Elite 8s before 1985: 9 (2 during the 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 6
Titles before 1985: 1
Florida
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 17
Sweet 16s: 9
Elite 8s: 8
Final 4s: 5
Titles: 2
Appearances before 1985: 0
Sweet 16s before 1985: 0
Elite 8s before 1985: 0
Final 4s before 1985: 0
Titles before 1985: 0
Louisville
Current streak: made 9 in a row
Appearances: 24
Sweet 16s: 14
Elite 8s: 8
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 2
Appearances before 1985: 17
Sweet 16s before 1985: 14
Elite 8s before 1985: 6
Final 4s before 1985: 6
Titles before 1985: 1
Michigan State
Current streak: made 18 in a row
Appearances: 25 (missed 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997)
Sweet 16s: 15
Elite 8s: 9
Final 4s: 7
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 4
Sweet 16s before 1985: 4
Elite 8s before 1985: 4
Final 4s before 1985: 2
Titles before 1985: 1
Arizona
Current streak: made 3 in a row
Appearances: 27 (vacated 1999 and 2008, missed 2010 and 2012)
Sweet 16s: 16
Elite 8s: 10
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 3
Sweet 16s before 1985: 2
Elite 8s before 1985: 1
Final 4s before 1985: 0
Titles before 1985: 0
Syracuse
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 25 (missed 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2015)
Sweet 16s: 13
Elite 8s: 6
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 12
Sweet 16s before 1985: 8
Elite 8s before 1985: 3
Final 4s before 1985: 1
Titles before 1985: 0
UCLA
Current streak: made 3 in a row
Appearances: 24
Sweet 16s: 13
Elite 8s: 6
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 22
Sweet 16s before 1985: 19
Elite 8s before 1985: 15
Final 4s before 1985: 13
Titles before 1985: 10
Indiana
Current streak: 1
Appearances: 24
Sweet 16s: 9
Elite 8s: 4
Final 4s: 3
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 14
Sweet 16s before 1985: 12
Elite 8s before 1985: 7 (1 during 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 5
Titles before 1985: 4
Arkansas
Current streak: 1
Appearances: 18
Sweet 16s: 6
Elite 8s: 4
Final 4s: 3
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 12
Sweet 16s before 1985: 4
Elite 8s before 1985: 6 (3 during 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 3
Titles before 1985: 0
UNLV
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 15
Sweet 16s: 6
Elite 8s: 4
Final 4s: 3
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 5
Sweet 16s before 1985: 4
Elite 8s before 1985: 1
Final 4s before 1985: 1
Titles before 1985: 0
1) Duke (4 titles, 12 FFs, 30 appearances)
2) UConn (4 titles, 5 FFs, 18 appearances)
3) North Carolina (3 titles, 9 FFs, 28 appearances)
4) Kentucky (3 titles, 8 FFs, 25 appearances)
5) Kansas (2 titles, 8 FFs, 30 appearances)
6) Florida (2 titles, 5 FFs, 17 appearances)
7) Louisville (2 titles, 4 FFs, 24 appearances)
8) Michigan State (1 title, 7 FFs, 25 appearances)
9) Arizona (1 title, 4 FFs, 27 appearances)
10) Syracuse (1 title, 4 FFs, 25 appearances)
11) UCLA (1 title, 4 FFs, 24 appearances)
12) Indiana (1 title, 3 FFs, 24 appearances)
13) Arkansas (1 title, 3 FFs, 18 appearances)
14) UNLV (1 title, 3 FFs, 15 appearances)
Missed the cutoff (fewer than 3 Final Fours):
Villanova, Michigan
Before 1985
1) UCLA (10 titles, 13 FFs, 22 appearances)
2) Kentucky (5 titles, 9 FFs, 29 appearances)
3) Indiana (4 titles, 5 FFs, 14 appearances)
4) North Carolina (2 titles, 9 FFs, 18 appearances)
5) Cincinnati (2 titles, 5 FFs, 10 appearances)
6) Oklahoma State (2 titles, 4 FFs, 9 appearances)
7) San Francisco (2 titles, 3 FFs, 14 appearances)
8) North Carolina State (2 titles, 3 FFs, 11 appearances)
9) Ohio State (1 title, 8 FFs, 13 appearances)
10) Louisville (1 title, 6 FFs, 17 appearances)
11) Kansas (1 title, 6 FFs, 14 appearances)
12) Utah (1 title, 3 FFs, 13 appearances)
13) Georgetown (1 title, 3 FFs, 9 appearances)
14) California (1 title, 3 FFs, 5 appearances)
Missed the cutoff (fewer than 3 Final Fours):
Marquette, Michigan State, UTEP, Loyola (Chicago), LaSalle, CCNY, Holy Cross, Wyoming, Stanford, Wisconsin, Oregon
Here are some detailed profiles of the top schools in the six-round era:
Duke
Current streak: made 20 in a row
Appearances: 30 (missed 1995)
Sweet 16s: 22
Elite 8s: 14
Final 4s: 12
Titles: 4
Appearances before 1985: 9
Sweet 16s before 1985: 6
Elite 8s before 1985: 6
Final 4s before 1985: 4
Titles before 1985: 0
Connecticut
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 18
Sweet 16s: 13
Elite 8s: 10
Final 4s: 5
Titles: 4
Appearances before 1985: 13
Sweet 16s before 1985: 3
Elite 8s before 1985: 1
Final 4s before 1985: 0
Titles before 1985: 0
North Carolina
Current streak: made 5 in a row
Appearances: 28 (missed 2002, 2003, 2010)
Sweet 16s: 20
Elite 8s: 15
Final 4s: 9
Titles: 3
Appearances before 1985: 18
Sweet 16s before 1985: 11
Elite 8s before 1985: 11 (2 during the 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 9
Titles before 1985: 2
Kentucky
Current streak: made 2 in a row
Appearances: 25 (vacated 1988, missed 1989, 1990, 1991, 2009, 2013)
Sweet 16s: 18
Elite 8s: 15
Final 4s: 8
Titles: 3
Appearances before 1985: 29
Sweet 16s before 1985: 23
Elite 8s before 1985: 21 (4 during the 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 9
Titles before 1985: 5
Kansas
Current streak: made 26 in a row
Appearances: 30 (missed in 1989)
Sweet 16s: 19
Elite 8s: 12
Final 4s: 8
Titles: 2
Appearances before 1985: 14
Sweet 16s before 1985: 9
Elite 8s before 1985: 9 (2 during the 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 6
Titles before 1985: 1
Florida
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 17
Sweet 16s: 9
Elite 8s: 8
Final 4s: 5
Titles: 2
Appearances before 1985: 0
Sweet 16s before 1985: 0
Elite 8s before 1985: 0
Final 4s before 1985: 0
Titles before 1985: 0
Louisville
Current streak: made 9 in a row
Appearances: 24
Sweet 16s: 14
Elite 8s: 8
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 2
Appearances before 1985: 17
Sweet 16s before 1985: 14
Elite 8s before 1985: 6
Final 4s before 1985: 6
Titles before 1985: 1
Michigan State
Current streak: made 18 in a row
Appearances: 25 (missed 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997)
Sweet 16s: 15
Elite 8s: 9
Final 4s: 7
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 4
Sweet 16s before 1985: 4
Elite 8s before 1985: 4
Final 4s before 1985: 2
Titles before 1985: 1
Arizona
Current streak: made 3 in a row
Appearances: 27 (vacated 1999 and 2008, missed 2010 and 2012)
Sweet 16s: 16
Elite 8s: 10
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 3
Sweet 16s before 1985: 2
Elite 8s before 1985: 1
Final 4s before 1985: 0
Titles before 1985: 0
Syracuse
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 25 (missed 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2015)
Sweet 16s: 13
Elite 8s: 6
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 12
Sweet 16s before 1985: 8
Elite 8s before 1985: 3
Final 4s before 1985: 1
Titles before 1985: 0
UCLA
Current streak: made 3 in a row
Appearances: 24
Sweet 16s: 13
Elite 8s: 6
Final 4s: 4
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 22
Sweet 16s before 1985: 19
Elite 8s before 1985: 15
Final 4s before 1985: 13
Titles before 1985: 10
Indiana
Current streak: 1
Appearances: 24
Sweet 16s: 9
Elite 8s: 4
Final 4s: 3
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 14
Sweet 16s before 1985: 12
Elite 8s before 1985: 7 (1 during 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 5
Titles before 1985: 4
Arkansas
Current streak: 1
Appearances: 18
Sweet 16s: 6
Elite 8s: 4
Final 4s: 3
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 12
Sweet 16s before 1985: 4
Elite 8s before 1985: 6 (3 during 8-team era)
Final 4s before 1985: 3
Titles before 1985: 0
UNLV
Current streak: missed in 2015
Appearances: 15
Sweet 16s: 6
Elite 8s: 4
Final 4s: 3
Titles: 1
Appearances before 1985: 5
Sweet 16s before 1985: 4
Elite 8s before 1985: 1
Final 4s before 1985: 1
Titles before 1985: 0
Schools with best records in late NCAA tournament rounds
(updated through 2016)
To be clear, this includes the earliest years, when only 8 teams were involved. I have ranked all of these from best to worst winning percentage.
ELITE EIGHT (minimum of 8 games played)
UCLA 17-4
DUKE 16-4
CINCINNATI 6-2
INDIANA 8-3
LOUISVILLE 10-4
OHIO STATE 10-4
NORTH CAROLINA 19-8
MICHIGAN STATE 9-4
KANSAS 14-8
FLORIDA 5-3
ARKANSAS 6-4
SYRACUSE 6-4
GEORGETOWN 5-4
ILLINOIS 5-4
OKLAHOMA 5-4
OKLAHOMA STATE 6-5
KENTUCKY 17-19
CONNECTICUT 5-6
MICHIGAN 5-7
ARIZONA 4-7
KANSAS STATE 4-8
VILLANOVA 4-8
SEMIFINALS (minimum of 4 games played)
CONNECTICUT 4-1
MICHIGAN 4-1
GEORGETOWN 4-1
INDIANA 6-2
KENTUCKY 12-5
UCLA 12-5
DUKE 11-5
KANSAS 9-5
FLORIDA 3-2
NORTH CAROLINA 10-9
SYRACUSE 3-3
CINCINNATI 3-3
VILLANOVA 2-2
ARIZONA 2-2
HOUSTON 2-3
OKLAHOMA 2-3
MICHIGAN STATE 3-6
ARKANSAS 2-4
OKLAHOMA STATE 2-4
LOUISVILLE 3-7
KANSAS STATE 1-3
ILLINOIS 1-4
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES (minimum of 2 games played)
CONNECTICUT 4-0
LOUISVILLE 3-0
SAN FRANCISCO 2-0
OKLAHOMA STATE 2-0
VILLANOVA 2-0
UCLA 11-1
INDIANA 5-1
KENTUCKY 8-4
MICHIGAN STATE 2-1
FLORIDA 2-1
CINCINNATI 2-1
NORTH CAROLINA 5-5
ARIZONA 1-1
ARKANSAS 1-1
DUKE 5-6
KANSAS 3-6
SYRACUSE 1-2
MICHIGAN 1-3
GEORGETOWN 1-3
HOUSTON 0-2
OKLAHOMA 0-2
To be clear, this includes the earliest years, when only 8 teams were involved. I have ranked all of these from best to worst winning percentage.
ELITE EIGHT (minimum of 8 games played)
UCLA 17-4
DUKE 16-4
CINCINNATI 6-2
INDIANA 8-3
LOUISVILLE 10-4
OHIO STATE 10-4
NORTH CAROLINA 19-8
MICHIGAN STATE 9-4
KANSAS 14-8
FLORIDA 5-3
ARKANSAS 6-4
SYRACUSE 6-4
GEORGETOWN 5-4
ILLINOIS 5-4
OKLAHOMA 5-4
OKLAHOMA STATE 6-5
KENTUCKY 17-19
CONNECTICUT 5-6
MICHIGAN 5-7
ARIZONA 4-7
KANSAS STATE 4-8
VILLANOVA 4-8
SEMIFINALS (minimum of 4 games played)
CONNECTICUT 4-1
MICHIGAN 4-1
GEORGETOWN 4-1
INDIANA 6-2
KENTUCKY 12-5
UCLA 12-5
DUKE 11-5
KANSAS 9-5
FLORIDA 3-2
NORTH CAROLINA 10-9
SYRACUSE 3-3
CINCINNATI 3-3
VILLANOVA 2-2
ARIZONA 2-2
HOUSTON 2-3
OKLAHOMA 2-3
MICHIGAN STATE 3-6
ARKANSAS 2-4
OKLAHOMA STATE 2-4
LOUISVILLE 3-7
KANSAS STATE 1-3
ILLINOIS 1-4
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES (minimum of 2 games played)
CONNECTICUT 4-0
LOUISVILLE 3-0
SAN FRANCISCO 2-0
OKLAHOMA STATE 2-0
VILLANOVA 2-0
UCLA 11-1
INDIANA 5-1
KENTUCKY 8-4
MICHIGAN STATE 2-1
FLORIDA 2-1
CINCINNATI 2-1
NORTH CAROLINA 5-5
ARIZONA 1-1
ARKANSAS 1-1
DUKE 5-6
KANSAS 3-6
SYRACUSE 1-2
MICHIGAN 1-3
GEORGETOWN 1-3
HOUSTON 0-2
OKLAHOMA 0-2
Most Elite 8 and Final 4 Appearances by School
(updated through games on 3/26/17)
ELITE EIGHT
1) KENTUCKY - 37 (6 under John Calipari, in 8 seasons)
2) NORTH CAROLINA - 28 (8 under Roy Williams, in 14 seasons)
3) KANSAS - 23 (7 under Bill Self, in 14 seasons)
4) UCLA - 21 (1980 was vacated by NCAA)
5) DUKE - 20 (14 under Mike Krzyzewski, in 37 seasons)
6) LOUISVILLE - 14 (6 under Rick Pitino, in 16 seasons)
6) OHIO STATE - 14 (1999 was vacated by NCAA)
8) MICHIGAN STATE - 13 (9 under Tom Izzo, in 22 seasons)
9) KANSAS STATE - 12
9) MICHIGAN - 12 (1993 was vacated by NCAA)
9) VILLANOVA - 12 (1971 was vacated by NCAA)
12) ARIZONA - 11
12) INDIANA - 11
12) CONNECTICUT - 11
12) OKLAHOMA STATE - 11
16) ARKANSAS - 10
16) SYRACUSE - 10 (7 under Jim Boeheim, in 41 seasons)
18) ILLINOIS - 9
18) GEORGETOWN - 9
18) OKLAHOMA - 9
18) FLORIDA - 9
22) CINCINNATI - 8
23) TEMPLE - 7
23) MARQUETTE - 7
23) TEXAS - 7
23) SAN FRANCISCO - 7
23) NOTRE DAME - 7
23) OREGON - 7
29) WISCONSIN - 6
29) NORTH CAROLINA STATE - 6
29) WAKE FOREST - 6
29) UTAH - 6
29) ST. JOHN'S - 6
29) OREGON STATE - 6
29) LSU - 6
29) VIRGINIA - 6
37) HOUSTON - 5
FINAL FOUR
1) NORTH CAROLINA - 20 (5 under Roy Williams in 14 seasons)
2) KENTUCKY - 17 (4 under John Calipari in 8 seasons)
2) UCLA - 17 (1980 was vacated)
4) DUKE - 16 (12 under Mike Krzyzewski in 37 seasons)
5) KANSAS - 14 (2 under Bill Self in 14 seasons)
6) LOUISVILLE - 10 (3 under Rick Pitino in 16 seasons)
6) OHIO STATE - 10 (1999 was vacated)
8) MICHIGAN STATE - 9 (7 under Tom Izzo in 22 seasons)
9) INDIANA - 8
10) ARKANSAS - 6
10) CINCINNATI - 6
10) OKLAHOMA STATE - 6
10) SYRACUSE - 6
14) CONNECTICUT - 5
14) FLORIDA - 5
14) GEORGETOWN - 5
14) HOUSTON - 5
14) ILLINOIS - 5
14) MICHIGAN - 5 (1992 and 1993 were vacated)
14) OKLAHOMA - 5
21) ARIZONA - 4
21) KANSAS STATE - 4
21) LSU - 4
21) UNLV - 4
21) UTAH - 4
21) WISCONSIN - 4
21) VILLANOVA - 4 (1971 was vacated)
28) CALIFORNIA - 3
28) IOWA - 3
28) MARQUETTE - 3
28) NC STATE - 3
28) SAN FRANCISCO - 3
28) TEXAS - 3
ELITE EIGHT
1) KENTUCKY - 37 (6 under John Calipari, in 8 seasons)
2) NORTH CAROLINA - 28 (8 under Roy Williams, in 14 seasons)
3) KANSAS - 23 (7 under Bill Self, in 14 seasons)
4) UCLA - 21 (1980 was vacated by NCAA)
5) DUKE - 20 (14 under Mike Krzyzewski, in 37 seasons)
6) LOUISVILLE - 14 (6 under Rick Pitino, in 16 seasons)
6) OHIO STATE - 14 (1999 was vacated by NCAA)
8) MICHIGAN STATE - 13 (9 under Tom Izzo, in 22 seasons)
9) KANSAS STATE - 12
9) MICHIGAN - 12 (1993 was vacated by NCAA)
9) VILLANOVA - 12 (1971 was vacated by NCAA)
12) ARIZONA - 11
12) INDIANA - 11
12) CONNECTICUT - 11
12) OKLAHOMA STATE - 11
16) ARKANSAS - 10
16) SYRACUSE - 10 (7 under Jim Boeheim, in 41 seasons)
18) ILLINOIS - 9
18) GEORGETOWN - 9
18) OKLAHOMA - 9
18) FLORIDA - 9
22) CINCINNATI - 8
23) TEMPLE - 7
23) MARQUETTE - 7
23) TEXAS - 7
23) SAN FRANCISCO - 7
23) NOTRE DAME - 7
23) OREGON - 7
29) WISCONSIN - 6
29) NORTH CAROLINA STATE - 6
29) WAKE FOREST - 6
29) UTAH - 6
29) ST. JOHN'S - 6
29) OREGON STATE - 6
29) LSU - 6
29) VIRGINIA - 6
37) HOUSTON - 5
FINAL FOUR
1) NORTH CAROLINA - 20 (5 under Roy Williams in 14 seasons)
2) KENTUCKY - 17 (4 under John Calipari in 8 seasons)
2) UCLA - 17 (1980 was vacated)
4) DUKE - 16 (12 under Mike Krzyzewski in 37 seasons)
5) KANSAS - 14 (2 under Bill Self in 14 seasons)
6) LOUISVILLE - 10 (3 under Rick Pitino in 16 seasons)
6) OHIO STATE - 10 (1999 was vacated)
8) MICHIGAN STATE - 9 (7 under Tom Izzo in 22 seasons)
9) INDIANA - 8
10) ARKANSAS - 6
10) CINCINNATI - 6
10) OKLAHOMA STATE - 6
10) SYRACUSE - 6
14) CONNECTICUT - 5
14) FLORIDA - 5
14) GEORGETOWN - 5
14) HOUSTON - 5
14) ILLINOIS - 5
14) MICHIGAN - 5 (1992 and 1993 were vacated)
14) OKLAHOMA - 5
21) ARIZONA - 4
21) KANSAS STATE - 4
21) LSU - 4
21) UNLV - 4
21) UTAH - 4
21) WISCONSIN - 4
21) VILLANOVA - 4 (1971 was vacated)
28) CALIFORNIA - 3
28) IOWA - 3
28) MARQUETTE - 3
28) NC STATE - 3
28) SAN FRANCISCO - 3
28) TEXAS - 3
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Kentucky's Worst NCAA Tournament Enemies
(updated through the 2016 tournament)
UK has had enormous success in the NCAA Tournament - 55 appearances, 36 Elite Eights, 17 Final Fours, 12 title games, and 8 championships.
Their overall record is 121-49. That's the most wins in the history of the tournament. Note that 2 wins (over Southern and Maryland) and 1 loss (to Villanova) in 1988 were voided by the NCAA.
But they have had trouble with certain opponents, and a number of these probably popped into your head before you even clicked this link. The following five teams combine to account for 19 of our 49 losses.
1) CONNECTICUT HUSKIES
UK's overall record against them: 1-4 (they never played each other until 2006)
UK's tournament record against them: 0-3
Tournament wins: none
Tournament losses: 2006 Round of 32, 2011 Final Four, 2014 championship game
Most significant loss: 2014 title game. But both of their recent titles basically came at our expense.
2) OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
UK's overall record against them: 11-8
UK's tournament record against them: 1-5
Wins: 2011 Sweet 16 (a memorable upset on Brandon Knight's jumper)
Losses: 1945 Elite 8, 1961 Elite 8, 1962 Elite 8, 1968 Elite 8, 1987 First Round
Most significant loss: Probably 1962, because that was the best team of the bunch, ranked #3 nationally at the time. Ohio State won the national title in 1960 and was runner-up in 1961 and 1962, so losing to them certainly was no embarrassment.
3) MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
UK's overall record against them: 7-7
UK's tournament record against them: 4-6 (more NCAA defeats than any other opponent)
Wins: 1959 consolation, 1968 Sweet 16, 1972 Sweet 16, 1975 First Round
Losses: 1955 Sweet 16, 1969 Sweet 16, 1971 consolation, 1994 Round of 32, 2003 Elite 8
Most significant loss: 2003 Elite 8. Dwyane Wade helped end UK's 26 game winning streak and magical season.
4) MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
UK's overall record against them: 13-11
UK's tournament record against them: 1-3 (every game was a regional final)
Wins: 1978 Elite 8
Losses: 1957 Elite 8, 1999 Elite 8, 2005 Elite 8
Most significant loss: The double-overtime thriller in 2005. Patrick Sparks' heroics at the end of regulation went for naught. The most lasting memory is their failure to get a shot off at the end of the first overtime.
5) NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
UK's overall record against them: 15-23 (our worst mark against any of the "blue bloods")
UK's tournament record against them: 1-2 (every game was a regional final)
Wins: 2011 Elite 8. Our 2011 team got some vengeance against two teams on this list.
Losses: 1977 Elite 8, 1995 Elite 8.
Most significant loss: Impossible to choose. The 1977 and 1995 teams were incredibly similar - the year before a championship, with lots of talent and a high ranking but not quite ready to seal the deal. Really should've beaten UNC both times, but both UNC teams had quite a bit of talent as well.
Just for the heck of it, here are UK's records against other teams they've met multiple times.
6-0 vs. Utah
4-0 vs. Miami (Ohio)
4-0 vs. Illinois
4-2 vs. Louisville
3-0 vs. Notre Dame
3-0 vs. Wake Forest
3-1 vs. Florida State
3-2 vs. Indiana
3-2 vs. Duke
2-0 vs. Cincinnati
2-0 vs. Kansas State
2-0 vs. UMass
2-0 vs. Baylor
2-0 vs. Iowa State
2-0 vs. Kansas State
2-0 vs. Penn State
2-1 vs. Wisconsin
2-1 vs. Kansas
2-1 vs. West Virginia
2-1 vs. Western Kentucky
2-1 vs. Michigan
2-1 vs. Iowa
2-1 vs. Syracuse
2-1 (2-0) vs. Villanova (the loss, in 1988, was vacated)
1-1 vs. UCLA
1-1 vs. Ohio
1-1 (0-1) vs. Maryland (the win, in 1988, was vacated)
1-2 vs. UAB
And some memorable teams they've faced only once:
1-0 vs. UNLV
1-0 vs. Arkansas
1-0 vs. Alabama
1-0 vs. Wichita State
0-1 vs. UTEP
0-1 vs. LSU (our only loss against an SEC school in the tournament)
0-1 vs. Arizona
UK has had enormous success in the NCAA Tournament - 55 appearances, 36 Elite Eights, 17 Final Fours, 12 title games, and 8 championships.
Their overall record is 121-49. That's the most wins in the history of the tournament. Note that 2 wins (over Southern and Maryland) and 1 loss (to Villanova) in 1988 were voided by the NCAA.
But they have had trouble with certain opponents, and a number of these probably popped into your head before you even clicked this link. The following five teams combine to account for 19 of our 49 losses.
1) CONNECTICUT HUSKIES
UK's overall record against them: 1-4 (they never played each other until 2006)
UK's tournament record against them: 0-3
Tournament wins: none
Tournament losses: 2006 Round of 32, 2011 Final Four, 2014 championship game
Most significant loss: 2014 title game. But both of their recent titles basically came at our expense.
2) OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
UK's overall record against them: 11-8
UK's tournament record against them: 1-5
Wins: 2011 Sweet 16 (a memorable upset on Brandon Knight's jumper)
Losses: 1945 Elite 8, 1961 Elite 8, 1962 Elite 8, 1968 Elite 8, 1987 First Round
Most significant loss: Probably 1962, because that was the best team of the bunch, ranked #3 nationally at the time. Ohio State won the national title in 1960 and was runner-up in 1961 and 1962, so losing to them certainly was no embarrassment.
3) MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
UK's overall record against them: 7-7
UK's tournament record against them: 4-6 (more NCAA defeats than any other opponent)
Wins: 1959 consolation, 1968 Sweet 16, 1972 Sweet 16, 1975 First Round
Losses: 1955 Sweet 16, 1969 Sweet 16, 1971 consolation, 1994 Round of 32, 2003 Elite 8
Most significant loss: 2003 Elite 8. Dwyane Wade helped end UK's 26 game winning streak and magical season.
4) MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
UK's overall record against them: 13-11
UK's tournament record against them: 1-3 (every game was a regional final)
Wins: 1978 Elite 8
Losses: 1957 Elite 8, 1999 Elite 8, 2005 Elite 8
Most significant loss: The double-overtime thriller in 2005. Patrick Sparks' heroics at the end of regulation went for naught. The most lasting memory is their failure to get a shot off at the end of the first overtime.
5) NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
UK's overall record against them: 15-23 (our worst mark against any of the "blue bloods")
UK's tournament record against them: 1-2 (every game was a regional final)
Wins: 2011 Elite 8. Our 2011 team got some vengeance against two teams on this list.
Losses: 1977 Elite 8, 1995 Elite 8.
Most significant loss: Impossible to choose. The 1977 and 1995 teams were incredibly similar - the year before a championship, with lots of talent and a high ranking but not quite ready to seal the deal. Really should've beaten UNC both times, but both UNC teams had quite a bit of talent as well.
Just for the heck of it, here are UK's records against other teams they've met multiple times.
6-0 vs. Utah
4-0 vs. Miami (Ohio)
4-0 vs. Illinois
4-2 vs. Louisville
3-0 vs. Notre Dame
3-0 vs. Wake Forest
3-1 vs. Florida State
3-2 vs. Indiana
3-2 vs. Duke
2-0 vs. Cincinnati
2-0 vs. Kansas State
2-0 vs. UMass
2-0 vs. Baylor
2-0 vs. Iowa State
2-0 vs. Kansas State
2-0 vs. Penn State
2-1 vs. Wisconsin
2-1 vs. Kansas
2-1 vs. West Virginia
2-1 vs. Western Kentucky
2-1 vs. Michigan
2-1 vs. Iowa
2-1 vs. Syracuse
2-1 (2-0) vs. Villanova (the loss, in 1988, was vacated)
1-1 vs. UCLA
1-1 vs. Ohio
1-1 (0-1) vs. Maryland (the win, in 1988, was vacated)
1-2 vs. UAB
And some memorable teams they've faced only once:
1-0 vs. UNLV
1-0 vs. Arkansas
1-0 vs. Alabama
1-0 vs. Wichita State
0-1 vs. UTEP
0-1 vs. LSU (our only loss against an SEC school in the tournament)
0-1 vs. Arizona
Sunday, March 15, 2015
What schools have received the most number 1 seeds? How have they fared as 1 seeds?
The men's NCAA basketball tournament has only been seeded since 1979. In the 39 tournaments (including 2017) since then, here are the schools with the highest number of 1 seeds - plus, their results when they have received those 1 seeds.
1) NORTH CAROLINA - 16 top seeds (79, 82, 84, 87, 91, 93, 94, 97, 98, 05, 07, 08, 09, 12, 16, 17)
Titles as 1 seed: 4 of 15 (27%) - 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009.
Final Fours as 1 seed: 8 of 15 (53%) - 1982, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2016
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 12 of 15 (80%) - 1982, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016
Upset before Sweet 16: 2 of 15 (13%) - 1979 (lost to 9th seed Penn), 1994 (lost to 9th seed Boston College).
2) DUKE - 13 top seeds (86, 92, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 10, 11, 15)
Titles as 1 seed: 4 of 13 (31%) - 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015
Final Fours as 1 seed: 6 of 13 (46%) - 1986, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 8 of 13 (62%) - 1986, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015
Upset before Sweet 16: never
2) KANSAS - 13 top seeds (86, 92, 95, 97, 98, 02, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 12 (8%) - 2008.
Final Fours as 1 seed: 3 of 12 (25%) - 1986, 2002, 2008.
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 6 of 12 (50%) - 1986, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016
Upset before Sweet 16: 3 of 12 (25%) - 1992 (lost to 9th seed UTEP), 1998 (lost to 8th seed Rhode Island), 2010 (lost to 9th seed Northern Iowa).
4) KENTUCKY - 12 top seeds (80, 84, 86, 93, 95, 96, 97, 03, 04, 10, 12, 15)
Titles as 1 seed: 2 of 12 (17%) - 1996, 2012
Final Fours as 1 seed: 6 of 12 (50%) - 1984, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2012, 2015
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 10 of 12 (83%) - 1984, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2010, 2012, 2015
Upset before Sweet 16: 1 of 12 (8%) - 2004 (lost to 9th seed UAB).
5) ARIZONA - 6 top seeds (88, 89, 98, 00, 03, 14)
Titles as 1 seed: none
Final Fours as 1 seed: 1 of 6 (17%). 1988
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 4 of 6 (67%). 1988, 1998, 2003, 2014.
Upset before Sweet 16: 1 of 6 (17%). 2000 (lost to 8th seed Wisconsin).
6) MICHIGAN STATE - 5 top seeds (90, 99, 00, 01, 12)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 2000
Final Fours as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1999, 2000, 2001
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1999, 2000, 2001
Upset before Sweet 16: never
6) GEORGETOWN - 5 top seeds (82, 84, 85, 87, 89)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 1984
Final Fours as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1982, 1984, 1985
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 5 of 5 (100%). 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989
Upset before Sweet 16: never
6) OKLAHOMA - 5 top seeds (85, 88, 89, 90, 03)
Titles as 1 seed: none
Final Fours as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 1988
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1985, 1988, 2003
Upset before Sweet 16: 1 of 5 (20%). 1990 (lost to 8th seed North Carolina)
6) UCONN - 5 top seeds (90, 96, 99, 06, 09)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 1999
Final Fours as 1 seed: 2 of 5 (40%). 1999, 2009
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 4 of 5 (80%). 1990, 1999, 2006, 2009
Upset before Sweet 16: never
NOTE: 1996 tournament (during which they made the Sweet 16) was later vacated, however.
TOP PERFORMING SCHOOLS...
% winning titles: DUKE (31%)
% reaching Final Four: Georgetown, MSU (60%)
% reaching Elite Eight: Georgetown (100%)
1) NORTH CAROLINA - 16 top seeds (79, 82, 84, 87, 91, 93, 94, 97, 98, 05, 07, 08, 09, 12, 16, 17)
Titles as 1 seed: 4 of 15 (27%) - 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009.
Final Fours as 1 seed: 8 of 15 (53%) - 1982, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2016
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 12 of 15 (80%) - 1982, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016
Upset before Sweet 16: 2 of 15 (13%) - 1979 (lost to 9th seed Penn), 1994 (lost to 9th seed Boston College).
2) DUKE - 13 top seeds (86, 92, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 10, 11, 15)
Titles as 1 seed: 4 of 13 (31%) - 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015
Final Fours as 1 seed: 6 of 13 (46%) - 1986, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 8 of 13 (62%) - 1986, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015
Upset before Sweet 16: never
2) KANSAS - 13 top seeds (86, 92, 95, 97, 98, 02, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 12 (8%) - 2008.
Final Fours as 1 seed: 3 of 12 (25%) - 1986, 2002, 2008.
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 6 of 12 (50%) - 1986, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016
Upset before Sweet 16: 3 of 12 (25%) - 1992 (lost to 9th seed UTEP), 1998 (lost to 8th seed Rhode Island), 2010 (lost to 9th seed Northern Iowa).
4) KENTUCKY - 12 top seeds (80, 84, 86, 93, 95, 96, 97, 03, 04, 10, 12, 15)
Titles as 1 seed: 2 of 12 (17%) - 1996, 2012
Final Fours as 1 seed: 6 of 12 (50%) - 1984, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2012, 2015
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 10 of 12 (83%) - 1984, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2010, 2012, 2015
Upset before Sweet 16: 1 of 12 (8%) - 2004 (lost to 9th seed UAB).
5) ARIZONA - 6 top seeds (88, 89, 98, 00, 03, 14)
Titles as 1 seed: none
Final Fours as 1 seed: 1 of 6 (17%). 1988
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 4 of 6 (67%). 1988, 1998, 2003, 2014.
Upset before Sweet 16: 1 of 6 (17%). 2000 (lost to 8th seed Wisconsin).
6) MICHIGAN STATE - 5 top seeds (90, 99, 00, 01, 12)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 2000
Final Fours as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1999, 2000, 2001
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1999, 2000, 2001
Upset before Sweet 16: never
6) GEORGETOWN - 5 top seeds (82, 84, 85, 87, 89)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 1984
Final Fours as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1982, 1984, 1985
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 5 of 5 (100%). 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989
Upset before Sweet 16: never
6) OKLAHOMA - 5 top seeds (85, 88, 89, 90, 03)
Titles as 1 seed: none
Final Fours as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 1988
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 3 of 5 (60%). 1985, 1988, 2003
Upset before Sweet 16: 1 of 5 (20%). 1990 (lost to 8th seed North Carolina)
6) UCONN - 5 top seeds (90, 96, 99, 06, 09)
Titles as 1 seed: 1 of 5 (20%). 1999
Final Fours as 1 seed: 2 of 5 (40%). 1999, 2009
Elite Eights as 1 seed: 4 of 5 (80%). 1990, 1999, 2006, 2009
Upset before Sweet 16: never
NOTE: 1996 tournament (during which they made the Sweet 16) was later vacated, however.
TOP PERFORMING SCHOOLS...
% winning titles: DUKE (31%)
% reaching Final Four: Georgetown, MSU (60%)
% reaching Elite Eight: Georgetown (100%)
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Longest Winning Streaks in Kentucky Basketball History
(updated through 2016)
In Kentucky's storied history, they have won 8 national titles, reached 17 Final Fours and won more games than any other school. Many of those wins have come consecutively...and here are their longest streaks of all time. As you would expect, most if not all of these streaks occurred during either national championship seasons or years when they absolutely SHOULD have won the whole thing, with #1 being the most painful example.
1) 38 games during the 2014-2015 season.
Coach: John Calipari
Leading scorer during the season: Aaron Harrison
Loss before it began: 60-54 to Connecticut in National Title Game, 4/7/14
First win: 85-45 over Grand Canyon at Rupp Arena, 11/14/14
Notable victories in streak: #5 Kansas (by 32 points), #6 Texas, #21 North Carolina, UCLA (by 39 points), at #4 Louisville, won 28th SEC Tournament title over #21 Arkansas
Last win: 68-66 over Notre Dame in the Midwest Regional Final, 3/28/15
Loss to end the streak: 71-64 to Wisconsin in a National Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, 4/4/15
Ranking: #1 pre-season, finished as national semifinalists.
Notes: UK became the first power conference team to finish a regular season undefeated since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers, and only team other than Wichita State in 2014 to enter NCAA tournament 34-0. They are the first team to ever start a season 38-0, surpassing Wichita State's 35-0. Alas, the perfect season was not to be...and it was made ten times worse when Duke stole the 2015 title.
2) 32 games over 2 seasons (1953-54 and 1954-55).
Coach: Adolph Rupp
Leading scorer during the season: Cliff Hagan
Loss before it began: 64-57 to St. John's in the Elite Eight, 3/22/52.
First win: 86-59 over Temple at Memorial Coliseum, 12/5/53.
Notable victories in streak: #13 Duke, #16 LaSalle, #8 Minnesota, #8 LSU in SEC playoff to end 1954 season, #2 Utah and #4 LaSalle in the following season
Last win: 101-69 at Temple, 1/1/55
Loss to end the streak: 59-58 to Georgia Tech at Memorial Coliseum, 1/8/55
Ranking: #2 at start, #1 at end
Notes: The 1953-54 season remains UK's only undefeated year. It followed a year in which there was no Kentucky basketball, due to the infamous point-shaving scandal. The 25-0 Wildcats did not play in the postseason because of a rule preventing graduate students from participating. The following season, they extended the streak to 32 games. The loss to Georgia Tech is equally significant for ending UK's 129-game home winning streak, which still stands as the NCAA record. They hadn't lost a home game in more than 12 years - since falling to Ohio State at Alumni Gym on January 2nd, 1943.
3) 27 games during the 1995-1996 season.
Coach: Rick Pitino
Leading scorer during the season: Tony Delk
Loss before it began: 92-82 to #5 Massachusetts in Great Eight at Auburn Hills, Michigan on 11/28/95.
First win: 89-82 over Indiana at Indianapolis, 12/2/95
Notable victories in streak: #16 Georgia Tech (by 23 points), #25 Louisville (by 23 points), at #12 Mississippi State (by 18 points)
Loss to end the streak: 84-73 to #25 Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament Championship game at New Orleans, 3/10/96. Dontae Jones scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. His better-known teammate Erick Dampier actually contributed very little to the upset, going 2 for 11 from the field. Tony Delk was ice cold, shooting 5 of 19.
Ranking: #1 at start and end (fell to #5 in first poll after the UMass loss, back to #1 in late February)
Notes: Went on to win school's 6th national title, and defeated UMass in the Final Four along the way.
4) 26 games during the 2002-2003 season.
Coach: Tubby Smith
Leading scorer during the season: Keith Bogans
Loss before it began: 81-63 at unranked Louisville, 12/28/02. Fell to a record of 6-3 at the time.
First win: 115-87 over Tennessee State at Rupp Arena on 12/30/02.
Notable victories in streak: #10 Notre Dame (by 15 points), at #15 Alabama (by 17), #1 Florida (by 15), #3 Florida on Senior Night, won SEC Tournament, beat Wisconsin in Sweet 16
Loss to end the streak: 83-69 to Marquette in the Elite Eight at Minneapolis, 3/29/03. Dwyane Wade had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Keith Bogans scored 15 points in spite of suffering a high ankle sprain in the Sweet 16.
Ranking: #20 at start, #1 at end
Notes: This was probably Tubby Smith's best team, but Bogans' injury was ill-timed and they ran into a future NBA star.
5) 26 games over 2 seasons (1945-46 and 1946-47).
Coach: Adolph Rupp
Leading scorer during the season: Alex Groza
Loss before it began: 56-47 to Notre Dame at Louisville (Jefferson County Armory) on 1/26/46
First win: 54-26 over Georgia Tech at Alumni Gym, 1/28/46
Notable victories in streak: Michigan State, won SEC Tournament, won NIT over Arizona/West Virginia/Rhode Island, DePaul, St. John's
Loss to end the streak: 37-31 to Oklahoma A&M at Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) 12/30/46.
Rankings: N/A
Notes: Stars like Groza, Jones, Beard and Barker went on to win championships for Rupp.
The rest of the top ten....
6) 25 wins in 1965-66, ended with loss at Tennessee.
7) 24 wins in 2011-12, ended with loss to Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament Championship Game.
8) 24 wins in 1932-33 and 1933-34, ended with loss to Florida in first round of the second-ever SEC Tournament.
9) 23 wins in 1951-52, ended with loss to St. John's in Elite Eight. After this loss, they won 32 more games in a row (see #1 on this list).
10) 21 wins in 1950-51, ended with loss to Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament Championship Game.
10) 21 wins in 1948-49, ended with loss to Loyola in NIT, but they subsequently won the NCAA Championship.
In Kentucky's storied history, they have won 8 national titles, reached 17 Final Fours and won more games than any other school. Many of those wins have come consecutively...and here are their longest streaks of all time. As you would expect, most if not all of these streaks occurred during either national championship seasons or years when they absolutely SHOULD have won the whole thing, with #1 being the most painful example.
1) 38 games during the 2014-2015 season.
Coach: John Calipari
Leading scorer during the season: Aaron Harrison
Loss before it began: 60-54 to Connecticut in National Title Game, 4/7/14
First win: 85-45 over Grand Canyon at Rupp Arena, 11/14/14
Notable victories in streak: #5 Kansas (by 32 points), #6 Texas, #21 North Carolina, UCLA (by 39 points), at #4 Louisville, won 28th SEC Tournament title over #21 Arkansas
Last win: 68-66 over Notre Dame in the Midwest Regional Final, 3/28/15
Loss to end the streak: 71-64 to Wisconsin in a National Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, 4/4/15
Ranking: #1 pre-season, finished as national semifinalists.
Notes: UK became the first power conference team to finish a regular season undefeated since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers, and only team other than Wichita State in 2014 to enter NCAA tournament 34-0. They are the first team to ever start a season 38-0, surpassing Wichita State's 35-0. Alas, the perfect season was not to be...and it was made ten times worse when Duke stole the 2015 title.
2) 32 games over 2 seasons (1953-54 and 1954-55).
Coach: Adolph Rupp
Leading scorer during the season: Cliff Hagan
Loss before it began: 64-57 to St. John's in the Elite Eight, 3/22/52.
First win: 86-59 over Temple at Memorial Coliseum, 12/5/53.
Notable victories in streak: #13 Duke, #16 LaSalle, #8 Minnesota, #8 LSU in SEC playoff to end 1954 season, #2 Utah and #4 LaSalle in the following season
Last win: 101-69 at Temple, 1/1/55
Loss to end the streak: 59-58 to Georgia Tech at Memorial Coliseum, 1/8/55
Ranking: #2 at start, #1 at end
Notes: The 1953-54 season remains UK's only undefeated year. It followed a year in which there was no Kentucky basketball, due to the infamous point-shaving scandal. The 25-0 Wildcats did not play in the postseason because of a rule preventing graduate students from participating. The following season, they extended the streak to 32 games. The loss to Georgia Tech is equally significant for ending UK's 129-game home winning streak, which still stands as the NCAA record. They hadn't lost a home game in more than 12 years - since falling to Ohio State at Alumni Gym on January 2nd, 1943.
3) 27 games during the 1995-1996 season.
Coach: Rick Pitino
Leading scorer during the season: Tony Delk
Loss before it began: 92-82 to #5 Massachusetts in Great Eight at Auburn Hills, Michigan on 11/28/95.
First win: 89-82 over Indiana at Indianapolis, 12/2/95
Notable victories in streak: #16 Georgia Tech (by 23 points), #25 Louisville (by 23 points), at #12 Mississippi State (by 18 points)
Loss to end the streak: 84-73 to #25 Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament Championship game at New Orleans, 3/10/96. Dontae Jones scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. His better-known teammate Erick Dampier actually contributed very little to the upset, going 2 for 11 from the field. Tony Delk was ice cold, shooting 5 of 19.
Ranking: #1 at start and end (fell to #5 in first poll after the UMass loss, back to #1 in late February)
Notes: Went on to win school's 6th national title, and defeated UMass in the Final Four along the way.
4) 26 games during the 2002-2003 season.
Coach: Tubby Smith
Leading scorer during the season: Keith Bogans
Loss before it began: 81-63 at unranked Louisville, 12/28/02. Fell to a record of 6-3 at the time.
First win: 115-87 over Tennessee State at Rupp Arena on 12/30/02.
Notable victories in streak: #10 Notre Dame (by 15 points), at #15 Alabama (by 17), #1 Florida (by 15), #3 Florida on Senior Night, won SEC Tournament, beat Wisconsin in Sweet 16
Loss to end the streak: 83-69 to Marquette in the Elite Eight at Minneapolis, 3/29/03. Dwyane Wade had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Keith Bogans scored 15 points in spite of suffering a high ankle sprain in the Sweet 16.
Ranking: #20 at start, #1 at end
Notes: This was probably Tubby Smith's best team, but Bogans' injury was ill-timed and they ran into a future NBA star.
5) 26 games over 2 seasons (1945-46 and 1946-47).
Coach: Adolph Rupp
Leading scorer during the season: Alex Groza
Loss before it began: 56-47 to Notre Dame at Louisville (Jefferson County Armory) on 1/26/46
First win: 54-26 over Georgia Tech at Alumni Gym, 1/28/46
Notable victories in streak: Michigan State, won SEC Tournament, won NIT over Arizona/West Virginia/Rhode Island, DePaul, St. John's
Loss to end the streak: 37-31 to Oklahoma A&M at Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) 12/30/46.
Rankings: N/A
Notes: Stars like Groza, Jones, Beard and Barker went on to win championships for Rupp.
The rest of the top ten....
6) 25 wins in 1965-66, ended with loss at Tennessee.
7) 24 wins in 2011-12, ended with loss to Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament Championship Game.
8) 24 wins in 1932-33 and 1933-34, ended with loss to Florida in first round of the second-ever SEC Tournament.
9) 23 wins in 1951-52, ended with loss to St. John's in Elite Eight. After this loss, they won 32 more games in a row (see #1 on this list).
10) 21 wins in 1950-51, ended with loss to Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament Championship Game.
10) 21 wins in 1948-49, ended with loss to Loyola in NIT, but they subsequently won the NCAA Championship.
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