NCAA Basketball: Best programs without an NCAA Tournament win since 2000

10. Iona

The Iona Gaels won their only NCAA Tournament game in 1980 with Jim Valvano, but it was vacated due to recruiting violations. They’ve been back to the Tourney eleven times since (8 times since 2000), but this is a program still looking for a Tournament upset win. It’s only until recent time that they’ve become a constant contender, surviving Jeff Ruland’s 2-28 year in 2007 before the hiring of Kevin Willard and Tim Cluess, who have elevated the program again.

Among the highlights of Iona’s eight Tourney appearances since 2000 are a 2-point loss to 3-seeded Ole Miss in 2001 and a First Four loss to fellow 14 seed BYU in 2012. Other than that, it’s been double-digit losses to potent teams like Maryland (2000), Oregon (2017), and Duke (2018). Despite this, Iona’s been a steadfast contender in the MAAC, while teams like Manhattan, Niagara, and Siena have been up and down in recent memory. They’ve made the postseason and won at least 20 games in each of the last eight seasons and this is a very potent mid-major program.

Moving forward, this remains a strong team, and Iona has won the MAAC Tournament each of the last three seasons. Whether they take the next step remains to be seen, but Cluess is a very solid coach, and unless he leaves for greener pastures like Willard before him, then he’s going to keep Iona as a candidate for the Tourney every single year.