College basketball’s history spans over a century, with more than 350 Division I teams competing. However, only a few have managed to claim the National Championship over the years. Among them, UCLA stands at the top with 11 titles. Here’s a look at the programs that have claimed the highest honor, most times.
Which Are the Men’s Basketball Programs With the Most National Championship Wins?
UCLA tops the list with 11 national championships. From 1964 to 1975, the Bruins won 10 titles, including an impressive seven straight wins. Their overall record during that stretch was 335-22. That’s a .938 winning percentage sustained over 12 years. Their 11th title came in 1995.
Here’s the full rundown of the top winners:
- UCLA: 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
- Kentucky: 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
- North Carolina: 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
- UConn: 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
- Duke: 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
- Indiana: 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
- Kansas: 4 (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
- Villanova: 3 (1985, 2016, 2018)
- Cincinnati: 2 (1961, 1962)
- Florida: 2 (2006, 2007)
- Louisville: 2 (1980, 1986)*
- Michigan State: 2 (1979, 2000)
- NC State: 2 (1974, 1983)
- Oklahoma State: 2 (1945, 1946)
- San Francisco: 2 (1955, 1956)
*Note: Louisville’s 2013 title was vacated by the Committee on Infractions.
Kentucky follows with eight championships. The Wildcats’ first taste of victory arrived in 1948 under Adolph Rupp. They defended it in 1949 and added two more before Rupp stepped away. Four different coaches have since kept the tradition alive, with wins in 1978, 1996, 1998, and 2012.
Tied at six apiece, North Carolina and UConn hold the third spot. North Carolina’s journey began with a perfect 32-0 season in 1957, led by Frank McGuire. The Tar Heels struck again in 1982 with a roster featuring Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Sam Perkins under Dean Smith.
Roy Williams, Smith’s successor, delivered three more titles between 2005 and 2017. UConn, meanwhile, boasts a flawless record in championship games. Since 1999, the Huskies have reached six title contests and won them all, most recently in 2023 and 2024.
Duke and Indiana sit at five championships each. Duke’s success is tied to Mike Krzyzewski, who arrived in 1981. Before him, the Blue Devils had zero titles. Under his watch, they won in 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015. Indiana’s story starts earlier, with Branch McCracken securing the program’s first title in 1940.
Kansas claims four titles, with their latest in 2022. Bill Self orchestrated a thrilling comeback against North Carolina that year, marking his second championship with the Jayhawks. Their 2008 win came in overtime against Memphis.
Villanova rounds out the top tier with three titles. The Wildcats stunned Georgetown as a No. 8 seed in 1985. They added another in 2018, with Donte DiVincenzo dropping 31 points off the bench.
Seven programs are locked at two championships: Cincinnati, Florida, Louisville, Michigan State, NC State, Oklahoma State, and San Francisco. Four of these, Cincinnati, Florida, Oklahoma State, and San Francisco, won theirs in consecutive years.
KEEP READING: NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game — Full List of Individual and Team Records
Louisville’s 2013 title was vacated, but their 1980 and 1986 wins still count. Michigan State’s victories came decades apart, in 1979 and 2000. NC State’s pair includes a memorable 1983 upset.
In a sport with hundreds of aspiring champions, these programs have separated themselves from the pack.
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