March Madness has a way of creating unforgettable moments, particularly when an overlooked program finally breaks through on college basketball's biggest stage.
Nebraska provided a perfect example during the 2026 NCAA Tournament. After losing its first eight tournament games, the program finally earned its first victory by defeating Troy. The Cornhuskers followed that breakthrough with another victory over Vanderbilt, turning decades of disappointment into a Sweet 16 appearance.
That remarkable turnaround should provide encouragement to several other programs entering the 2026-27 season.
Some have reached the NCAA Tournament repeatedly without winning. Others have built impressive records, dominated their conferences and produced memorable regular-season performances, only to watch their seasons end in the opening round.
The following five programs have combined for 37 NCAA Tournament appearances without a victory. Their histories demonstrate how difficult March Madness can be, even for teams accustomed to winning.
1. Boise State: Ten appearances and ten disappointments
Boise State owns one of the most unusual distinctions in NCAA Tournament history.
The Broncos have appeared in the tournament 10 times, losing every game. Their 0-10 record represents the most NCAA Tournament defeats without a victory among Division I programs, excluding records affected by vacated wins.
That statistic is particularly surprising considering Boise State's sustained success in conference competition.
The Broncos reached three consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2022 through 2024, establishing themselves as one of the Mountain West's most consistent programs during that stretch.
However, those appearances produced three more disappointing results.
Boise State suffered a narrow 64-53 loss to Memphis in 2022, fell to Northwestern in 2023 and lost to Colorado in the 2024 First Four.
The Broncos subsequently missed the NCAA Tournament in 2025 and 2026, making their immediate challenge returning to the field.
Their move into the reconstructed Pac-12 Conference adds another interesting element to the 2026-27 season. Boise State will face a different conference landscape while attempting to build a team capable of ending one of March Madness' most frustrating streaks.
For a program that has consistently demonstrated it can compete against strong opponents, one tournament victory would carry enormous historical significance.
2. Akron: Eight trips to March Madness without advancing
Akron has become one of the Mid-American Conference's most successful programs, particularly under head coach John Groce.
The Zips have captured multiple conference championships, regularly won more than 20 games and established a reputation for competing with some of the nation's strongest teams.
However, their NCAA Tournament record remains 0-8.
Akron's most recent disappointment came in March 2026, when the Zips entered the tournament as a No. 12 seed following another outstanding season.
The program had won its third consecutive MAC Tournament championship, becoming the first men's basketball team in conference history to accomplish that feat.
Unfortunately, the celebration didn't extend into the NCAA Tournament.
Texas Tech defeated Akron 91-71 in the opening round, extending the Zips' winless streak to eight appearances.
The result was particularly disappointing because Akron finished the season with 29 victories and had demonstrated the ability to compete against quality opponents.
The Zips have previously suffered close NCAA Tournament losses, including a four-point defeat against UCLA in 2022.
Those experiences demonstrate that Akron has occasionally come within reach of a breakthrough.
The next challenge involves translating conference dominance into postseason success against opponents from stronger leagues.
3. Colgate: Patriot League success hasn't translated into March victories
Colgate has experienced considerable success in the Patriot League, but the NCAA Tournament has presented an entirely different challenge.
The Raiders have made seven NCAA Tournament appearances without recording a victory.
Their most successful recent stretch included four consecutive appearances from 2021 through 2024, an impressive achievement for a program competing outside college basketball's major conferences.
Colgate developed a reputation for efficient offense, disciplined execution and outstanding three-point shooting during that period.
However, those strengths weren't enough to produce an NCAA Tournament victory.
The Raiders lost to Arkansas in 2021, Wisconsin in 2022, Texas in 2023 and Baylor in 2024.
Each opponent presented a different challenge, but the result remained the same.
Colgate's ability to repeatedly win its conference tournament demonstrated the program's consistency. Unfortunately, the NCAA Tournament requires a different level of execution, particularly when facing teams with superior size and athleticism.
The Raiders missed March Madness in both 2025 and 2026, making another Patriot League championship the first step toward ending the streak.
A return to the tournament would provide another opportunity to accomplish something the program has never achieved.
4. South Dakota State: Seven appearances without a breakthrough
South Dakota State has become one of the Summit League's most recognizable programs since transitioning to Division I.
The Jackrabbits have reached the NCAA Tournament seven times, establishing themselves as a regular contender for conference championships.
However, they have yet to win a tournament game.
South Dakota State's first appearance came in 2012, when the Jackrabbits lost to Baylor.
They returned the following season but suffered another opening-round defeat, this time against Michigan.
Additional appearances followed in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024.
The 2022 tournament was particularly disappointing because South Dakota State entered with a 30-4 record and considerable expectations after an outstanding regular season.
The Jackrabbits had gone undefeated in Summit League play, demonstrating remarkable consistency.
However, Providence defeated South Dakota State 66-57 in the opening round.
The program's most recent appearance came in 2024, when Iowa State earned an 82-65 victory.
South Dakota State has experienced enough conference success to understand what winning basketball requires.
The missing accomplishment is a victory on the NCAA Tournament stage.
5. Hofstra: Even a remarkable 2026 comeback couldn't end the streak
Hofstra returned to March Madness in 2026 after waiting 25 years for another opportunity.
The Pride captured the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament championship, earning their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001.
The accomplishment was particularly meaningful for head coach Speedy Claxton, who had previously experienced conference championship success with Hofstra as both a player and assistant coach.
However, the return didn't produce the result the program wanted.
Alabama defeated Hofstra 90-70 in the opening round, extending the Pride's NCAA Tournament record to 0-5.
Hofstra's previous appearances came in 1976, 1977, 2000 and 2001.
The program's 2026 championship demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in college basketball. After decades away from the tournament, Hofstra returned to the national spotlight and gave its supporters another reason to celebrate.
However, the next historical milestone remains unfinished.
The Pride must now find a way to build on that accomplishment and eventually earn the program's first NCAA Tournament victory.
Nebraska proved that history doesn't have to repeat itself
The most encouraging example for these programs came from Nebraska in March 2026.
The Cornhuskers entered the tournament with eight consecutive losses and left with the program's first Sweet 16 appearance.
That transformation illustrates how quickly an uncomfortable historical distinction can disappear.
Boise State, Akron, Colgate, South Dakota State and Hofstra have all demonstrated that they can build successful basketball programs.
Their combined 37 NCAA Tournament appearances show how often they've reached college basketball's biggest stage.
Now each is chasing the same elusive accomplishment.
For one of these five programs, the 2026-27 season could eventually provide the breakthrough that generations of players, coaches and supporters have been waiting to celebrate.
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