NCAA Basketball: 25 most successful programs of the 21st century

DURHAM, NC - MARCH 03: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels before their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 25: Afflalo #4 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates cutting down the net. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

13. UCLA Bruins

The Bruins might not be the most consistent program on this list but they have had some remarkable highs. With three Final Four appearances, UCLA definitely belongs in the top-15 of programs during this century despite the fact that they have missed the NCAA Tournament in five seasons. The other excellent piece on UCLA’s resume is that they have never gone longer than two seasons between NCAA Tournament bids.

In saying this, I mean that there have not been many dry spells for the program, which has been ranked in the final AP top-25 on eight different occasions this century. Still, regardless of this, reaching three Final Fours is the reason why the Bruins are rated so highly on this list. In back-to-back-to-back seasons from 2006 through 2008, head coach Ben Howland led his team to the national semis, proving how powerful the program was during those years. Even though UCLA could not secure a national title, they definitely knocked on the door.

Over the years, the Bruins have landed some elite recruiting classes and seen several tremendous players pass through the school. Most notably, Lonzo Ball, Kevin Love, and Aaron Afflarlo were all First Team AP All-Americans while at the school.

21st Century Highlights:

.664 winning percentage
5 AP All-America selections
13 NCAAT appearances (25-13)
8 Sweet 16’s
3 Final Fours

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