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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CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Xavier Musketeers players celebrate. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

22. Xavier Musketeers

Even though a Final Four appearance has alluded Xavier to this point in the century, their other accomplishments make up for it in order to make this list. More specifically, the Musketeers have been incredibly consistent in regards to making the NCAA Tournament. One of the best regular season teams in the nation, Xavier boasts a solid winning percentage that not only shows great play but also consistency over many years.

In addition, the program has reached the Sweet 16 in nearly half of their Big Dance appearances and has also appeared in the Elite Eight on three occasions. Regardless of who has been on the sideline running the show, the Musketeers have been a contender to reach the NCAA Tournament. In fact, the program has gone dancing under four different head coaches in this century alone (Skip Prosser, Thad Matta, Sean Miller, and Chris Mack).

In terms of single-season success, this past season might have been the best. Even though the Musketeers were unable to reach the second weekend, they were the regular-season Big East champions and a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance. Among the elite Xavier players over the year include Trevon Bluiett, Tu Holloway, and David West. Oh, and the Musketeers also gave us some of Gus Johnson’s greatest moments: “Crawford’s gotta hurry…uhhh!”

21st Century Highlights:

.713 winning percentage
4 AP All-America selections
16 NCAAT appearances (22-16)
7 Sweet 16’s

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