Which Teams Have Won the Most College Basketball National Championships?

College basketball is the only sport where a champion is crowned after a 68-team postseason tournament, and it’s all the better for it. The NCAA Tournament knows how to deliver devastating drama and miracle magic – and both can be true at once. Over the years, a select group of “Blue Blood” programs has dominated March Madness, accumulating a chunk of the sport’s national championships. 

Kansas (4 Titles – 1952, 1988, 2008, 2022) and Villanova (3 Titles – 1985, 2016, 2018) have etched their names in college basketball history. Kansas’ two recent titles under Bill Self, Villanova’s two recent titles under Jay Wright, as well as Nova’s 1985 underdog run as an 8-seed, remain iconic. Louisville also won three championships (1980, 1986, and 2013), though its 2013 title was vacated in 2018 due to NCAA violations.

With 36 different programs winning championships since 1939, it’s time to count down the top five programs with the most NCAA Tournament titles. We chronicle their legendary players and the iconic moments that defined their success.

5. Indiana Hoosiers – 5 Titles (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)

The Indiana Hoosiers are one of college basketball’s most storied programs, with five championships to their name. Their success began in 1940 and 1953, but their most famous titles came under coach Bob Knight. The 1976 Hoosiers, led by Scott May and Quinn Buckner, remain the last team to go undefeated for an entire season. In 1981, Isiah Thomas guided Indiana to another championship, and in 1987, Steve Alford and Keith Smart secured a title with a dramatic game-winning shot.

4. Duke Blue Devils – 5 Titles (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)

Duke became a powerhouse under coach Mike Krzyzewski, winning five championships. The program’s first two titles came in back-to-back fashion in 1991 and 1992, thanks to Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill. Laettner’s iconic buzzer-beater against Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight lives on as one of the most unforgettable moments in March Madness history. The Blue Devils’ 2001 squad, led by Shane Battier and Jay Williams, dominated the tournament. Duke continued its success in 2010 behind Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, and in 2015, a freshman-heavy roster featuring Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones defeated Wisconsin in the final.

Will head coach and former Blue Devil player Jon Scheyer lead Duke to its sixth title in 2025 with freshman sensation Cooper Flagg? Time will tell. 

3. North Carolina Tar Heels – 6 Titles (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)

The Tar Heels have a rich championship history, beginning with their undefeated 1957 squad led by Lennie Rosenbluth. Under Dean Smith, North Carolina claimed two more titles, including the 1982 championship featuring Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot. The 1993 team, led by Eric Montross and George Lynch, secured another championship. Roy Williams then took the program to new heights, winning titles in 2005 (Sean May, Rashad McCants), 2009 (Ty Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough) and 2017 (Joel Berry, Justin Jackson).

2. Kentucky Wildcats – 8 Titles (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)

Before UCLA’s dominance with John Wooden, Kentucky set the standard for success under coach Adolph Rupp, winning four championships from 1948 to 1958. Joe B. Hall continued the legacy with a title in 1978, led by Jack Givens’ 41-point national title performance. Rick Pitino’s high-powered offense propelled Kentucky to another championship in 1996, followed by Tubby Smith’s 1998 squad. In 2012, John Calipari’s star-studded team, featuring Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, captured the Wildcats’ eighth national championship by defeating Kansas.

1. UCLA Bruins – 11 Titles (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)

No team in college basketball history has been more dominant than UCLA under John Wooden. The Bruins’ dynasty included seven consecutive championships from 1967 to 1973. With all-time greats Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Bill Walton and Jamaal Wilkes, UCLA played an up-tempo, fast-break style that overwhelmed opponents. Wooden’s teams also had four perfect 30-0 seasons and an 88-game winning streak. After Wooden’s retirement, UCLA’s 1995 title, led by Ed O’Bannon and sparked by Tyus Edney’s buzzer-beater in the second round, stands as a testament to the program’s legacy.