Best men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament runner-ups

Led by the legendary pair of Cazzie Russell (averaging 25.7 factors) and Bill Buntin (20.1 ppg), this was the second of three straight Big Ten championship squads at Michigan. These Wolverines completed 24-4 and started and ended the season because the No. 1 crew in The Associated Press ballot. However, after rolling over a Bill Bradley-led Princeton squad group within the Final Four, Michigan, making the primary NCAA event closing appearances in program historical past, was upended 91-80 by UCLA, which received its second consecutive nationwide title below John Wooden. 

Twelve years after Old Dominion received its solely women’s NCAA basketball nationwide championship, it was lastly taking part in for one more. Behind the star-studded trio of Ticha Penicheiro, Nyree Roberts and Clarisse Machanguana, the Monarchs received 34 video games. However, they needed to work laborious simply to achieve the 1997 title contest. ODU beat No. 8 seed Purdue by 4 within the second spherical, edged Florida 53-51 within the Elite Eight and pulled out a one-point victory over fellow No. 1 seed Stanford within the nationwide semifinals. The Monarchs’ luck ended towards Tennessee with a nationwide championship on the road, shedding 68-59 — simply its second defeat of the season.

Back in 1963, the Bearcats had been attempting to make school basketball historical past by changing into the primary crew to win three straight nationwide championships. Led by Tom Thacker and Ron Bonham, Cincinnati was 26-1 coming into the nationwide title contest towards a powerful, and relatively historic, Loyola, Chicago squad. Both groups rolled of their respective nationwide semifinal video games, and the Bearcats led 29-21 at halftime towards the Ramblers. But, regardless of holding Loyola to 27.4-percent capturing, the Bearcats couldn’t overcome 16 turnovers in falling 60-58 in additional time. In phrases of historic significance, the 1963 title sport was necessary for the truth that seven African-American gamers began the competition.

The declare to fame of the 2016-17 Bulldogs was ending Connecticut’s 111-game profitable streak. Morgan William’s buzzer-beating jumper in additional time, which delivered the 66-64 win within the Final Four, is perhaps the best second within the historical past of Mississippi State women’s sports activities. However, this was one particular crew general, whilst a No. 2 seed, and contemplating it could not deal with Aj’a Wilson and Co. throughout its 67-55 loss to South Carolina within the nationwide championship sport. Mississippi State completed the season 34-5, however would have an opportunity for some unfinished enterprise in 2017-18.

Nearly twenty years within the making, Gonzaga lastly reached the nationwide championship sport. After tapping into the switch marketplace for studs like Nigel Williams-Goss (16.8 ppg), Jordan Mathews (10.6 ppg) and Johnathan Williams (10.2 ppg), the Zags averaged 82.6 factors per contest and suffered only one regular-season loss, 79-71 at dwelling to BYU. Gonzaga, which tied the Division I report for wins in a season at 37, had a more durable time throughout NCAA event play, with three wins by six factors or fewer. The enjoyable then ended with a 71-65 loss to North Carolina, in a relatively poorly performed (at the least from a capturing standpoint) nationwide championship sport.

Led by three of faculty basketball’s finest ever, Harvey Grant, Stacey King and Mookie Blaylock, the 1987-88 Sooners received their first 14 video games, then one other 12 straight and held a No. 1 seed within the NCAA event. Oklahoma held serve all through the event after getting by fellow-No. 1 seed Arizona within the nationwide semifinal. Then, they seemed in good place to win the college’s first title by beating Kansas for a 3rd time that season. However, “Danny and The Miracles” had different concepts. The upstart, 11-loss Jayhawks shot a blistering 63.6 p.c and star Danny Manning scored 31 and pulled down 18 rebounds through the 83-79 upset that ended the Sooners’ season at 35-4.

Winners of the inaugural women’s NCAA Tournament in 1982, the Lady Techsters had been runners-up in ’83 (extra on that group in a bit). It was 4 years later, led by celebrity Teresa Weatherspoon, that Louisiana Tech returned to nationwide closing. That’s after knocking off fellow high seed Texas, which had one loss and was taking part in that Final Four matchup on its dwelling court docket. However, the Lady Techsters took down the Longhorns. The get together ended there for Louisiana Tech, as Pat Summitt’s Tennessee Volunteers avenged a nine-point common season loss with a powerful 67-44 win for his or her first championship. Tech completed 32-2.

The Lady Vols had been poised to report a fourth nationwide championship below legendary coach Pat Summitt. Following a 3rd straight undefeated run through the SEC common season, Tennessee earned a No. 1 appeared poised to say its first nationwide championship since 1991. Led by the versatile Nikki McCray, the Lady Vols rolled via their first 5 video games of the NCAA event, profitable every by at the least 20 factors. However, Tennessee bumped into a warmer crew in Connecticut. Paced by future legends Rebecca Lobo and Jennifer Rizzotti, UConn overcame a nine-point second-half result in win 80-74 and cap a 35-0 marketing campaign with its title — thus starting women’s school basketball’s most famed dynasty. Tennessee, in the meantime, completed 34-3.

When it involves women’s basketball greatness at Virginia, Debbie Ryan’s ’90-91 bunch remains to be the gold commonplace. The Cavaliers, who featured standout Tonya Cardoza and a hot-shot guard by the identify of Dawn Staley, went 31-3. They earned a No. 1 seed within the 1991 event and reached the Final Four for the second installment of a stretch of three straight such appearances. UVA ultimately met powerhouse Tennessee in for its first, and thus far solely, NCAA event closing look. The Cavaliers led by 5 within the closing two minutes, however went chilly from the sphere, and the Lady Vols, due to some key free throws from Dena Head compelled additional time. Tennessee then managed the additional session for a 70-67 victory.

Truth be informed, it was relatively powerful to resolve which of Auburn’s squads that made three consecutive nationwide finals, from 1988-’90, was worthy of inclusion on this record. So, the primary two inside that run are worthy of recognition. The ’87-88 group, led by the legendary Ruthie Bolton, went 32-3 and appeared to have Louisiana Tech on the ropes within the nationwide championship sport. That’s till the aforementioned Teresa Weatherspoon led her crew to a comeback 56-54 victory. The subsequent season, with the good Vickie Orr main the best way, the Tigers earned some revenge by beating Louisiana Tech within the nationwide semifinals. However, Tennessee proved an excessive amount of in the long run, rolling to a 76-60 victory over Auburn, which completed the season 32-2.

In 1992, Michigan’s vaunted Fab Five reached the nationwide championship sport after profitable three straight NCAA event contests by a mixed 11 factors. That run ended with a 20-point loss to Duke, however set the stage for some unfinished enterprise in 1992-93. In one of the thrilling seasons in program historical past (which was ultimately erased via sanctions and penalties from the notorious Ed Martin scandal), the brash and boisterous Wolverines opened because the No. 1 crew within the nation. After ending second within the Big Ten, Michigan set its sights on profitable that nationwide title. However, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Co., wanted to work simply to achieve the title sport, together with an additional time win versus UCLA within the second spherical and towards Kentucky within the nationwide semifinals. The Wolverines’ championship sport tilt with North Carolina was one of the entertaining finals in event historical past, however for Michigan followers, principally remembered for Webber’s timeout name when his crew had none within the 77-71 defeat, thus ending the 31-5 marketing campaign.

Anchored by stars Greg Oden (15.7 ppg, 9.6 rebounds per sport) and Mike Conley (11.3 ppg, 6.1 assists per sport) boasted two of the very best gamers within the school sport. These Buckeyes received each the Big Ten’s common season and event titles, whereas shedding simply as soon as towards convention opponents all season. Ohio State was additionally a stout defensive squad, notably due to the inside play from the 7-foot Oden, permitting 62 factors per sport. However, there was one crew higher than the Buckeyes in 2006-07 — Florida, which repeated as nationwide champion with its 84-75 victory over them within the NCAA closing.

Behind Patrick Ewing (14.6 ppg, 9.2 rebounds per sport), Georgetown seemed poised to repeat as nationwide champion in 1985. The Hoyas began 18-0, then following back-to-back losses in Big East play, took a 17-game profitable streak into their nationwide championship sport matchup towards upstart No. 8 seed Villanova, who it beat twice through the common season. An enormous cause for Georgetown’s success was a protection that held opponents to 57.3 factors per sport. However, it couldn’t discover a option to include the Wildcats, who went a blistering 22-of-28 from the sphere and made all however 5 of their 27 free-throw makes an attempt en path to a surprising 66-64 triumph. Oh yeah, the Hoyas, who completed 35-3, shot 54.7 p.c in that contest.

Like different groups on this record, the accomplishments of the ’07-08 have been erased by the NCAA because of numerous violations. In this case, testing points involving star Derrick Rose. That stated, the Tigers’ now-unofficial 38-2 mark was the very best on-court efficiency the college has ever seen, and within the historical past of NCAA basketball, for that matter. Though Rose (14.9 ppg, 4.7 apg) and Chris Douglas-Roberts (18.1 ppg) had been two of the sport’s high offensive stars on the time, this Memphis squad performed some stellar protection whereas permitting 61.9 factors per sport. However, Kansas shot 52.7 p.c, and Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins hit huge pictures to assist take down the Tigers, 75-68 in additional time of the nationwide closing.

Dubbed “The Untouchables,” the ’96-97 squad at Kentucky featured a number of gamers who went on to get pleasure from numerous ranges of NBA success. Notably Ron Mercer (18.1 ppg), Scott Padgett and Nazr Mohammed. The Wildcats went 3-1 towards top-10 opponents that season, and took a 35-4 report into their nationwide championship contest towards Arizona, which was the No. 4 seed and proprietor of 9 losses. However, these pesky Wildcats, led by Mike Bibby and Miles Simon, wouldn’t go away, and ultimately outlasted the favorites for an 84-79 additional time triumph.

As the Blue Devils’ basketball inventory continued to rise through the Nineteen Eighties below Mike Krzyzewski, this system was getting nearer to profitable its first nationwide championship. The 1985-86 group seemed to be the one that will lastly accomplish that feat. With Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie, Jay Bilas, Tommy Amaker and Danny Ferry on board, Duke received each the ACC common season and event crowns. After shedding its first two video games of the season — again to again — towards ranked North Carolina and Georgia Tech groups in January, these Blue Devils reeled off 21 straight wins. That’s earlier than being upset 72-69 by Pervis Ellison and Louisville within the nationwide championship sport.

After falling in need of this system’s first nationwide title in 2017, the Bulldogs had been again within the event championship sport one 12 months later. Mississippi State carried a 37-1 report into its title matchup with a two-loss Notre Dame squad. That’s after needing additional time to beat Louisville within the Final Four. In what is perhaps thought of the best closing sport within the historical past of the women’s event, Teaira McCowan and Victoria Vivians (21 factors within the closing) helped the Bulldogs to a 30-17 halftime lead. However, the Irish fought again, and star Arike Ogunbowale dashed Mississippi State’s desires of that first title through her 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left in regulation for a 61-58 Notre Dame triumph.

Looking to grow to be the primary crew since Indiana in 1975-76 to run the desk, Gonzaga appeared in good condition to not solely win its first nationwide title, however make historical past within the course of. Drew Timme (19.0 ppg), Corey Kispert (18.6 ppg) and Jalen Suggs (14.4 ppg) had been amongst school basketball’s elite, and these Bulldogs had been profitable video games by greater than a mean of 20.0 factors. However, perhaps it was an omen when the Bulldogs wanted Suggs’ shot from simply in entrance of half court docket to bail them out in additional time versus UCLA within the Final Four. Gonzaga was then roughed up 86-70 by a plucky Baylor group that made 10 3-pointers, held a 38-22 rebounding benefit and compelled 14 turnovers. 

Not solely one of many best groups in Indiana State historical past, however in the case of everything of faculty hoops as properly. National Player of the Year Larry Bird averaged 28.6 factors, however this was greater than a one-man present for an Indiana State squad that reached the NCAA Tournament for the primary time ever. Carl Nicks (19.3 ppg) was additionally an underrated star for the Sycamores, who carried a 33-0 report into their much-anticipated national-title matchup towards Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Yet, within the most-watched school basketball sport of all time, Johnson’s Spartans had been the true stars. Bird had 19 factors with 13 rebounds, however Magic scored 24 and Michigan State shot 60.5 p.c en path to a 75-64 victory.

The hype surrounding the 2004-05 Illini basically started after they misplaced to Duke within the Sweet 16 the season prior. And, this Illinois membership, led by Deron Williams (12.5 ppg, 6.8 apg), Dee Brown (13.3 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Luther Head (15.9 ppg), and ran out the identical beginning lineup each sport, was ranked No. 1 many of the season, sat 29-0 earlier than shedding to Ohio State by some extent within the regular-season finale. Sadly for Illinois, it did not lose once more till the college’s first nationwide championship-game look, 75-70 to North Carolina. A 37-2, these Illini simply is perhaps the very best crew in school basketball historical past to not win a nationwide title.

Looking to win the primary two NCAA women’s nationwide championships, Louisiana Tech seemed to be in good condition by taking a 31-1 report into the season’s third assembly with USC — which simply occurred to be for a nationwide title. The groups break up the 2 regular-season matchups, and it could be the Trojans who handed the Lady Techsters their solely different defeat of the 1982-83 season. Behind one of many all-time greats, Cheryl Miller, USC led late. Louisiana Tech had a closing likelihood to tie the sport, however a last-second shot by Kim Mulkey (sure, the longtime Baylor coach now at LSU) missed for the 69-67 end.

This 2009-10 Stanford group misplaced simply two video games. Both had been by the hands of Connecticut. The first got here at Hartford simply earlier than Christmas. The different can be to conclude the season, 53-47, within the nationwide championship sport. Aside from these setbacks, the Cardinal received a program-record 36 video games. Jayne Appel, Jeanette Pohlen and Nnemkadi Ogwumike starred for a squad that produced Stanford’s second nationwide runner-up over a three-year span. During the season, Appel grew to become the Pac-10’s all-time main rebounder by breaking Lisa Leslie’s report of 1,214.

Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Michael Young, Benny Anders, Larry Micheaux. Phi Slama Jama. Before UNLV’s nice Runnin’ Rebels’ groups of the Nineteen Nineties and Michigan’s “Fab Five,” this was essentially the most thrilling crew in school basketball. High-flying, dunk after dunk, these Cougars appeared poised to win the college’s first nationwide title after reaching the Final Four a 12 months earlier. After dropping back-to-back video games after a 4-0 begin, Houston received 26 straight video games beginning in mid-December. And when the Cougars drew a 10-loss North Carolina State squad within the nationwide championship sport, that title appeared like a foregone conclusion. However, Jim Valvano’s “Cardiac Pack” had been a destined group, which held the Cougars to 38.2 p.c capturing and Drexler, Micheaux and Young to a mixed 14 factors. Houston gamers may solely watch as Lorenzo Charles turned Dereck Whittenburg’s airball right into a game-winning dunk for a 54-52 NC State victory, thus shattering the hearts of the Cougars and their devoted on an in any other case legendary 31-3 marketing campaign.

By the early 2010s, there was a pleasant rivalry brewing between Notre Dame and UConn inside the women’s sport. So, it was all a basketball fan may ask when the 2 powers met within the 2014 nationwide closing, and every and not using a loss, marking the primary time that occurred within the historical past of the women’s NCAA Tournament. In the tip, the sport proved anti-climatic because the Huskies rolled to a 79-58 received to win the second of what can be 4 straight titles. But, that should not take away from the season’s accomplishments by the Irish, led by Kayla McBride and Jewell Loyd, who set a faculty report with 37 wins whereas dominating most of their opponents.

Following a 5-0 begin, Duke misplaced by two towards Cincinnati. With studs like Elton Brand (17.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg), Trajan Langdon (17.3 ppg) and Corey Maggette (10.6 ppg), the Blue Devils received their subsequent 32 in a row. A exceptional feat for any crew, however seemingly commonplace for this group, which averaged 91.8 factors, shot 51.4 p.c from the sphere and practically 40 p.c from past the 3-point arc. Duke received its first two NCAA Tournament video games by 41 factors every, then rolled over Temple to earn a spot within the Final Four. The Blue Devils then held off second-ranked Michigan State to arrange one other marquee matchup, this time with No. 3 Connecticut for the nationwide championship. UConn introduced a 33-2 report into that contest, and due to 27 factors from Richard Hamilton, a collective 52.5 p.c capturing effort, and additionally a 38-27 rebounding benefit, it received 77-74 to finish the mighty Blue Devils’ season at 37-2 and and not using a title.