Every NCAA Basketball team is dreaming of success as the season gets underway, but there are five teams especially desperate for a tournament victory.
When evaluating the season-long performance of a coach and/or team, there’s a strong argument to be made that too much stock is put into the NCAA Basketball Tournament performance. This is undeniably how things are, however, and as a result, tournament victories are coveted, and the losses are especially heartbreaking.
(Credit to Barttorvik for tournament histories)
There are five teams that have been on the cusp of a tournament victory in recent seasons but haven’t been able to break through. Each has a reasonable chance to finally end the drought this season.
New Mexico State
Last tournament victory: 1993 (advanced to Round of 32)
Recent tournament history: 1st round losses in 2010 (12-seed), 2012 (13), 2013 (13), 2014 (13), 2015 (15), 2017 (14), 2018 (12) and 2019 (12)
Projected seed: 12
In his third season at the helm, head coach Chris Jans will look to get the Aggies the elusive tournament victory. As a 12-seed last season, New Mexico State fell just short to Auburn 77-78.
The team returns plenty of talent and could very well end up in another 5-12 tournament matchup. With so many 1st round losses over the last decade, there may be no program more desperate for (and deserving of) a tournament victory.
Vermont
Last tournament victory: The program technically had a tournament victory back in 2012 when the 16-seed Catamounts beat another 16-seed in Lamar in the First Four. Prior to this, a 13-seed Vermont advanced to the Round of 32 after upsetting Syracuse in 2005.
Recent tournament history: The Catamounts suffered 1st-round losses as a 13-seed in 2017 (to Purdue) and 2019 (to Florida State). In 2018, Vermont missed out on another tournament appearance when it lost a nail-biter in the conference title game to UMBC (who went on to beat Virginia).
Projected seed: 12
Anthony Lamb should be among the best players in college basketball this season, but his running man in Stef Smith is a talented scorer as well. Vermont is extremely capable of pulling an upset if they make it back to the tournament.
Creighton
Last tournament victory: 2014 (Round of 32)
Recent tournament history: 1st round losses in 2017 (6-seed) and 2018 (8-seed).
Projected seed: 11
The Blue Jays might not have an extremely long “tournament victory drought,” but the program is still likely desperate for tournament success.
In the 2016-17 season, a Creighton season that was potentially Final 4-bound was derailed after point guard Mo Watson suffered a season-ending ACL tear. This surely made the 1st round loss to 11-seed Kansas State especially tough to swallow.
After a missed opportunity in the 8-9 matchup in 2018 and a missed tournament last season, veteran Blue Jays players will surely be eager for a breakthrough.
Key contributors this season in Ty-Shon Alexander, Davion Mintz and Mitch Ballock were all on the squad that fell as an 8-seed in 2018. After missing the tournament last season, they will surely be eager to capitalize if they earn another opportunity in 2020.
Texas
Last tournament victory: 2014 (Round of 32)
Recent tournament history: 1st round losses in 2015 (11), 2016 (6) and 2018 (10)
Projected seed: 9
Since taking over in 2015-16, Shaka Smart is still looking for his first tournament victory with the program. There isn’t likely enough talent on the roster to compete with the likes of Kansas for a Big 12 title, but an NCAA Tournament victory shouldn’t be an unreasonable expectation for Longhorns fans, especially if senior guard Andrew Jones can come back strong.
Marquette
Last tournament victory: 2013 (Elite 8)
Recent tournament history: 1st round losses in 2017 (10-seed) and 2019 (5-seed)
Projected seed: 7
Markus Howard will surely do everything in his power to make sure he doesn’t end his college career without an NCAA Tournament victory. The transfers of the Hauser brothers lower the team’s ceiling, but Koby McEwen joining the team from Utah State will help soften some of the blow.