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UCLA has dominated the college basketball scene, topping the rankings with 11 national championship wins. However, the title of the most state championships this century goes to Connecticut, with five wins. In the 20th century, Kentucky was a powerhouse, with Adolph Rupp leading the team to four wins between 1948 and 1949. At the high school level, Orleans High School in Indiana has made a name for itself, winning the first-ever team state championship in the county. The school's success has been attributed to the dedication of coach Tom Bradley, who has guided the team to 11 sectionals and two regionals.
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What You'll Learn
UCLA tops the list with 11 national championships
UCLA has dominated college basketball like no other team, topping the list of national championships with an impressive 11 wins. Their reign in the '60s and '70s is unparalleled in the history of college sports.
The UCLA Bruins' historic run of success began in the 1964 NCAA tournament, where they defeated the Duke Blue Devils in their first national title game appearance. This was the catalyst for an era of dominance, as they went on to win nine championships in the next ten years, and ten in twelve years.
The man behind this success was coach John Wooden, who led the Bruins from 1948 to 1975. Wooden's tenure saw the Bruins achieve an incredible overall record of 335-22, a win percentage of .938 over twelve years. During this period, the Bruins also won 38 consecutive games in NCAA tournaments and had a record-breaking 88-game winning streak.
Wooden's innovative tactics and the team's fast-paced offence, led by players like Walt Hazzard and Gail Goodrich, resulted in a dramatic increase in scoring. This propelled UCLA to unprecedented heights, including a 47-game winning streak that culminated in the ""Game of the Century" against Houston in 1968. Although they lost that game, they went undefeated for the rest of the season, winning the national championship and avenging their earlier loss to Houston in the semi-final rematch.
UCLA's success under Wooden transformed the program into a powerhouse, increasing its popularity and solidifying its place at the pinnacle of college basketball.
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Kentucky has won 8 national championships
Kentucky has a rich and successful history in college basketball. The team has won eight national championships, second only to UCLA in the number of Division I men's national championships.
Kentucky won its first-ever national championship in 1948, knocking off Baylor 58-42 inside Madison Square Garden. The Wildcats also won the national championship in 1949, becoming the second men's basketball team to win back-to-back titles. The team won two more championships before coach Adolph Rupp retired in 1948, starting the program's winning streak.
Since Rupp, four different coaches have won national championships with Kentucky: Joe B. Hall in 1978, Rick Pitino in 1996, Tubby Smith in 1998, and John Calipari in 2012. Calipari has helped maintain Kentucky's status as an SEC powerhouse since his arrival in 2009, and the team has made it to the Final Four four times in five seasons under his leadership.
The Wildcats have a winning percentage of .712 in NCAA tournaments, appearing in 184 games and winning 131 of them. The team has made it to the Final Four 17 times, ranking third all-time behind UCLA and North Carolina.
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North Carolina and UConn have won 6 national championships each
North Carolina and UConn have both won six national championships each, making them two of the most successful college basketball teams in the US. UCLA leads the way with 11 national championships, followed by Kentucky with eight.
North Carolina's road to six national championships began in 1957 when coach Frank McGuire led the team to the second-ever undefeated national championship season in NCAA tournament history. It wasn't until 1982 that North Carolina won its second championship, thanks to a roster that included James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and Michael Jordan. The team won its sixth championship in 1993.
UConn, on the other hand, has an impressive record of six championships in six attempts. The Huskies have the most national championships this century with five, and their victory in 2024 tied them with North Carolina for the third-most championships ever at the Division I level. UConn's most recent championship in 2025 was their 12th national title, further solidifying their place in college basketball history.
Both North Carolina and UConn have left an indelible mark on college basketball, with their success serving as a testament to the dedication and talent of their players and coaches. Their achievements have inspired and continue to inspire basketball enthusiasts and athletes alike.
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Indiana High School Athletic Association crowns Orleans as state champion
The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has crowned the Orleans Bulldogs as the state champion in the boys' Class A basketball tournament. This is the first state championship win for the Bulldogs in any sport. The Orleans team defeated the Clinton Prairie Gophers 64-55 in the final game of the 115th annual IHSAA boys' basketball State Finals.
The Orleans Bulldogs were led by Alex DeWitt, who scored 24 points and had seven rebounds. Other top scorers included Senior Bryce Jones, who scored 17 points and had five rebounds, and Rylan Crocker, who scored 16 points. The Bulldogs pulled ahead in the final two minutes of the game, with a 9-3 rally that sealed their victory.
Bryce Jones, a senior captain and the third-highest in school history for assists, was also named the recipient of the Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award in Class 1A Boys Basketball. This award recognizes excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability. Jones is also a member of the National Honor Society and works with the athletic department to help younger children through the "Bullpups" program.
The win marks the first state championship for the Orleans Bulldogs, as well as the first for any team from Orleans in the county's history. The team's coach, Bradley, has guided the Bulldogs to 11 sectional and two regional championships during his 26-year coaching career at Orleans.
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Connecticut has won 5 national championships this century
Connecticut has dominated college basketball this century, winning five national championships since 2000. The Huskies have been to six championship games and have won every time. No other team with at least three appearances in the final is undefeated in title games.
The Huskies won their first national title in 1999, with a 77-74 victory over Duke. They won their second championship in 2004, beating Georgia Tech 82-73. Emeka Okafor was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In 2023, the UConn men's basketball team won the NCAA championship again, making them the eighth team in history to win back-to-back national championships. They beat Purdue to win their sixth national title, putting them in a tie with North Carolina for the third-most championships in Division I.
In 2024, UConn became the first team in 17 years to win back-to-back national championships. They beat Alabama and Purdue to secure their sixth title in school history. UConn's sustained success has been described as "the greatest run of the 21st century", solidifying their place as one of the greatest programs in college basketball history.
UConn's success has been built on a strong foundation of talented players and coaches. Richard Hamilton, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 1999, and Emeka Okafor in 2004, are just a few of the standout players who have contributed to the team's success. UConn's first men's basketball-only head coach, Louis A. Alexander, led the team to winning records and their third New England Conference championship. UConn's success in basketball has brought them national recognition and established them as a powerhouse in the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Connecticut (UConn) won the 2025 championship.
UCLA has won the most championships, claiming 11 titles.
Kentucky has produced championship-winning teams from both the University of Kentucky (8 titles) and the University of Louisville (2 titles).
Connecticut's teams have won all five of their championship game appearances.
Orleans High School won the first-ever team state championship for its county.
