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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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 25: Head coach Dana Altman of the Oregon Ducks cuts. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

25. Oregon Ducks

Although the Ducks might not have the most storied history of teams on this list, their one Final Four appearance in 2017 pushes them over the edge of missing the list. In total, Oregon has reached the NCAA Tournament on nine separate occasions during this century, reaching the Sweet 16 on five trips. The Ducks have won 20+ games in each of the first eight seasons under head coach Dana Altman and the expectation is that this will continue.

Coach Altman has emerged as one of the best recruiters on the west coast as he seemingly replenishes his talent every single offseason. He is also a three-time winner of the Pac-12 Coach of the Year award. However, he is not alone in building the success of Oregon during this century. A large amount of this success, although maybe not to the point of a top-25 ranking, can be attributed to former head coach Ernie Kent, who led the program through 2009-10 and reached four NCAA Tournaments in the 21st century, including an Elite Eight appearance.

Players like Dillon Brooks and Joseph Young have shaped the present and future of Oregon basketball but let’s not quickly brush past the outstanding college careers of Luke Ridnour, Aaron Brooks, and Luke Jackson.

21st Century Highlights:

.639 winning percentage
3 AP All-America selections
9 NCAAT appearances (17-9)
5 Sweet 16’s
1 Final Four

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