NCAA Basketball: Ranking the last 25 NCAA Tournament champions

21) 2013 Louisville Cardinals

Record: 35-5, 14-4 in Big East

Louisville technically doesn’t have a national championship for the 2013 season thanks to NCAA penalties, but we watched it happen, and have pictures for proof! So, we’re going to talk about it like they won it.

Because they did. It even says so on the NCAA’s website

Gorgui Dieng and Montrezl Harrell are the only players that had any staying power in the NBA, but Peyton Siva and Russ Smith combined to form one of the country’s best backcourts. Luke Hancock provided a shooting part off the bench, too. How many teams can say they had a Final Four MOP coming off the bench?

That talent allowed them to win both the Big East regular season and tournament titles, keeping them ranked in the top 12 nationally all season long, despite losing four games in conference play. One of which came against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in five (FIVE!!) overtime periods.

But we know the Big East can be a grind like that. The Cardinals racked up some major wins along the way as well. They beat six ranked teams prior to the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, this team is probably most remembered for Kevin Ware shattering his leg on the court in the most gruesome injury in tournament history. Don’t worry, I won’t include the video.

There was also the improper benefits scandal involving strippers that ultimately caused this title to be vacated and laid the groundwork for the university to part ways with head coach Rick Pitino.