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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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies walks off the court. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

4. UConn Huskies

To put it simply, three national championships speak for themselves. Even with their relatively low winning percentage and several missed NCAA Tournaments, the Huskies deserve to be in the top-5 of the top programs overall due to their abundance of deep NCAA Tournament runs. In 11 Big Dance appearances, the Huskies have reached at least the Sweet 16 seven times and have made four Final Fours on their way to three titles.

Even though UConn is no longer a member of the Big East, many will remember the tremendous battles that they had while a member of the conference. Above all else, though, “CARDIAC KEMBA” might just be the best memory from the century when it comes to Big East play. The storied National Championship runs led by Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier are now the stuff of legend when it comes to college hoops and let’s not forget that 2004 title either.

Napier, Kemba, Hasheem Thabeet, Rudy Gay, and Emeka Okafor were named All-Americans.

21st Century Highlights:

.688 winning percentage
5 AP All-America selections
11 NCAAT appearances (32-8)
7 Sweet 16’s
4 Final Fours
2004, 2011, and 2014 National Championships

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