
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team has never won an NCAA national championship. However, they have made 36 or 37 NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Final Four in 1978 under coach Digger Phelps. The team has also been awarded two Helms Athletic Foundation National Championships by the Helms Foundation for the 1927 and 1936 seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of National Championships won by Notre Dame Men's Basketball | 2 |
| Years in which they won the National Championship | 1927, 1936 |
| Total NCAA Tournament appearances | 36 or 37 |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 1 or 2 |
| Number of undefeated seasons at home | 5 |
| Number of losing seasons at home | 4 |
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team
The Fighting Irish men's basketball team has had notable successes over the years, including 44 winning seasons since moving to the Purcell Pavilion in 1968. They have had five undefeated seasons at home (1973, 1985, 2006, 2007, and 2010) and have made 37 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with their most recent appearance being in 2025. The team has also played in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 12 times, holding a combined record of 27–12.
One of the most remarkable achievements of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team is their two retroactively awarded national championships from the Helms Foundation for the 1927 and 1936 seasons. These championships are in addition to their impressive wins over defending NCAA Tournament Champions. For example, they ended UCLA's 88-game winning streak in 1974 and prevented Indiana from achieving back-to-back national titles in 1954.
The Fighting Irish men's basketball team has also had its share of challenges. They hold the record for the most NCAA Tournament appearances without a championship or championship game appearance, with over 30 appearances without a title. Despite this, the team continues to strive for excellence and has consistently performed well over the years.
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2 retroactively awarded national championships
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has never won an NCAA Championship. However, they have two retroactively awarded national championships from the Helms Foundation for the 1927 (19–1 overall record) and 1936 (22–2–1 overall record) seasons. They have also played in the NCAA tournament 36 or 37 times, reaching the Final Four in 1978 under coach Digger Phelps. They are also known for ending UCLA's 88-game winning streak in 1974, a streak that had begun after Notre Dame had previously ended UCLA's 45-game winning streak in 1971.
The Fighting Irish have had 44 winning seasons at the Purcell Pavilion since moving there in 1968, including 5 undefeated seasons at home (1973, 1985, 2006, 2007, and 2010) and only 4 losing seasons. They have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 12 times, with a combined record of 27–12.
The school has also had several notable wins over defending NCAA Tournament Champions. Both wins over UCLA in 1971 and 1974 were in seasons immediately following UCLA claiming the NCAA Championship. The 1954 win over Indiana prevented IU from claiming back-to-back national titles. The 1978 win over Marquette was another instance of the Irish defeating the defending national champion. The 1948 win over Kentucky saw the Irish defeat the eventual Tournament champion, who went on to win both the 1948 and 1949 titles.
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37 appearances in the NCAA tournament
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has had a rich history, with 37 appearances in the NCAA tournament. The team has had success in the tournament, reaching the Final Four in 1978 under coach Digger Phelps. They are also known for ending UCLA's 88-game winning streak in 1974, which had begun after a loss to Notre Dame in 1971. The Fighting Irish hold the record for the most tournament appearances without a championship or championship game appearance, one of five teams with 30 or more appearances without a title.
The team has also achieved success outside of the NCAA tournament, with two retroactively awarded national championships from the Helms Foundation for the 1927 and 1936 seasons. They have had a total of 44 winning seasons since moving to the Purcell Pavilion in 1968, including 5 undefeated seasons at home in 1973, 1985, 2006, 2007, and 2010. The Fighting Irish have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 12 times, with a combined record of 27-12.
The Fighting Irish have had notable wins over defending NCAA Tournament Champions, including victories over UCLA in 1971 and 1974, Indiana in 1954, Marquette in 1978, and Kentucky in 1948. These wins demonstrate the team's ability to rise to the challenge and compete with the best teams in the nation.
Coached by Mike Brey since 2000, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team continues to strive for excellence and aims to bring home their first NCAA championship. With their dedication and strong history, the team has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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Ending UCLA's 88-game winning streak in 1974
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team has won the national championship twice, in 2001 and 2018. However, the team is also known for its remarkable victory over UCLA in 1974, which ended UCLA's 88-game winning streak.
On January 19, 1974, the Fighting Irish defeated UCLA's men's basketball team 71-70, bringing their 88-game winning streak to an end. UCLA's streak, which lasted 1,092 days, is still a record in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The game was made even more remarkable by the fact that UCLA had won seven consecutive NCAA championships and 218 of their last 223 games dating back to the 1966-67 season.
The 1974 game between Notre Dame and UCLA was highly anticipated, with both teams entering undefeated and ranked as the top two teams in the nation. The Fighting Irish pulled off the upset despite being led by a 32-year-old head coach, Digger Phelps, who was facing the legendary UCLA coach John Wooden. Phelps acknowledged the significance of the game, crediting his players for the victory.
The victory for Notre Dame was not just about ending UCLA's winning streak but also about shaping the course of college basketball history. It accelerated the growth of the sport, contributing to its popularity in America. The game also marked the beginning of Notre Dame's emergence as a basketball powerhouse, with the team going on to make 28 NCAA Tournament appearances and reaching the Final Four in 1978.
The 1974 Notre Dame team was driven by players such as Clay, who made the game-winning shot with 29 seconds left, and Austin Carr, who scored 46 points. Clay's clutch performance earned him the nickname "The Iceman," and he became renowned for his ability to make crucial shots in pressure situations.
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Reached the Final Four in 1978
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has yet to win a national championship. However, they have enjoyed a rich history of success, including 28 NCAA Tournament appearances and reaching the Final Four in 1978 under coach Digger Phelps.
The 1978 season was a memorable one for the Fighting Irish. They had already established themselves as a formidable force in college basketball by ending UCLA's 88-game winning streak in 1974 and then preventing UCLA from achieving back-to-back championships in 1971. In 1978, they continued their impressive run by defeating Marquette, who were the defending national champions at the time. This win cemented the Fighting Irish's place in the Final Four.
Coach Digger Phelps played a pivotal role in guiding the team to new heights. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish not only rose to prominence but also consistently challenged the top teams in the nation. Their victory over Marquette demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and compete with the best.
The 1978 Final Four appearance by the Fighting Irish holds a unique place in the history of the program. It serves as a testament to the team's resilience and determination, showcasing their ability to rise above challenges and compete with the very best in college basketball. This milestone also underscores the impact of Coach Digger Phelps, whose strategic guidance and leadership propelled the team to unprecedented success.
While the Fighting Irish have not captured a national championship, their journey has been filled with notable achievements, including their 1978 Final Four run. This period in their history remains a source of pride and inspiration for the program, reminding players and fans alike of the team's potential for greatness.
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Frequently asked questions
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has never won an NCAA national championship. However, they have been awarded two Helms Athletic Foundation National Championships for the 1927 and 1936 seasons.
The Fighting Irish have appeared in the NCAA tournament 36 or 37 times, depending on the source.
The current coach of the Fighting Irish is Micah Shrewsberry. Previous coaches include Mike Brey and Digger Phelps.
The Fighting Irish have several notable wins, including victories over defending NCAA Tournament Champions. They ended UCLA's 88-game winning streak in 1974 and prevented Indiana from winning back-to-back national titles with a win in the 1954 NCAA tournament.











































