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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INDIANAPOLIS – MARCH 29: Head coach Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans and his wife, Lupe, celebrate with the Michigan State players. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

8. Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State might be the only program ranked in the top-10 of this list without a national championship on their 21st-century resume but their spot is well-deserved. Over the years, head coach Tom Izzo has emerged as one of the top coaches in the sport and the Spartans, in turn, took control as the top program in the Big Ten for many years.

Michigan State is one of the few teams on this list who has not missed a single NCAA Tournament to this point in the century, going 18-for-18. Additionally, the Spartans have reached five Final Fours, a mark that ranks near the top of the nation during this time period even though the team does not have a national championship to its name. Of course, MSU would be rated even higher on this list if the time range backed up one year to include 1999-2000 when the program actually cut down the final nets but the cutline was the cutline.

Miles Bridges, Denzel Valentine, Draymond Green, Jason Richardson, and Charlie Bell were all AP All-American selections while with the program.

21st Century Highlights:

.719 winning percentage
5 AP All-America selections
18 NCAAT appearances (36-18)
10 Sweet 16’s
5 Final Fours

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