This year’s NCAA title run ended with Michigan on top, and the Wolverines did it in a way that fit the modern game. They beat UConn in the final after taking care of Arizona earlier in the bracket, and their path showed how much size, depth, and roster fit still matter in March. Michigan did not need one player to carry everything. It got production from transfers, returners, and a lineup that kept moving the ball. That helped the Big Ten end a long championship wait. Before Michigan, the conference’s last title came from Michigan State in 2000.

The bigger picture is just as clear. UCLA still leads college basketball with 11 national titles. Kentucky has 8. UConn and North Carolina have 6 each. Duke and Indiana sit next with 5. Kansas has 4. Florida and Villanova have 3. After that, there is a long list of schools that have won once or twice, but have not climbed back to the top for decades.

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Michigan’s run also showed how close some teams came this year. UConn fought hard. Arizona made the bracket feel heavy. But Michigan kept finding answers. That is why this sport is so hard to predict. One team finishes the story, and everyone else starts looking ahead to next season. The drought list below shows how long some programs have been waiting for another shot at the top.

Oregon Ducks (87-year drought, last won in 1939)

Unknown date 1974; Unknown location, USA, FILE PHOTO; Oregon Ducks guard Ron Lee (3) in action. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Oregon captured the first NCAA basketball title in 1939 and has not won since. In 2025–26 the Ducks went 12–20 (5–15 Pac-12) under coach Dana Altman. The year before (2024–25) they were 10–21 and missed the postseason as well. Oregon’s recent seasons have seen losing records in conference play, and the team has not returned to the NCAA tournament since 1939.

Wisconsin Badgers (85-year drought, last won in 1941)

Greg Stiemsma, director of player development, is shown before a Wisconsin men’s basketball scrimmage Sunday, October 19, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s lone NCAA championship came in 1941. In 2025–26 the Badgers finished 24–11 overall (14–6 Big Ten) and earned a #5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They were upset by 12-seed High Point, losing 83–82 in the first round. The previous season (2024–25), Wisconsin was 27–10 (13–7 Big Ten) and reached the NCAA second round before falling to BYU.

Stanford Cardinal (84-year drought, last won in 1942)

Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Stanford won its only NCAA title in 1942. In 2025–26 the Cardinal went 20–13 (9–9 ACC). They lost in the ACC quarterfinals and did not make the NCAA tournament. In 2024–25 Stanford was 21–14 and played in the NIT, losing 77–75 to Kent State in the second round.

Wyoming Cowboys (83-year drought, last won in 1943)

Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) looks on from the seats prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Wyoming won the 1943 NCAA championship. In 2025–26, the Cowboys were 18–15 (9–11 Mountain West) under first-year coach Sundance Wicks. Wyoming earned an NIT bid and lost 74–70 to Wichita State in the first round. The year before (2024–25), the Cowboys went 12–20 (5–15 MW).

Utah Utes (82-year drought, last won in 1944)

Mar 21, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) jogs down court against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Utah’s only NCAA title came in 1944. In 2025–26 the Utes fell to 10–22 (2–16 Big 12) under coach Alex Jensen. Utah finished last in the conference and did not play in any postseason. In 2024–25 Utah was 16–17 (8–12 Big 12). The program has struggled since moving to the Big 12 and has not returned to the NCAA tournament since 1944.

Oklahoma State Cowboys (80-year drought, last won in 1946)

Bryant Reeves during first half action. PHoto by Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

Oklahoma State (then Oklahoma A&M) won back-to-back NCAA titles, including in 1946. In 2025–26 the Cowboys went 20–15 (6–12 Big 12) and played in the NIT. They beat Davidson 84–80 in the first round but lost 96–70 to Wichita State in the second round. In 2024–25 Oklahoma State was 17–18 (7–13). The Cowboys have made the NIT but have not been back to the NCAA tournament since their 1946 title.

Holy Cross Crusaders (79-year drought, last won in 1947)

1962; FILE PHOTO; In a 1962 playoff game against Philadelphia, Tommy Heinsohn (15) is about to receive a pass from Bob Cousy, a fellow Holy Cross graduate. Mandatory Credit: Telegram & Gazette-USA TODAY NETWORK

Holy Cross won the 1947 NCAA championship. In 2025–26 the Crusaders finished 11–22 (5–13 Patriot League), near the bottom of the conference. The year before they were 13–19 (5–13). In recent years Holy Cross has not qualified for the NCAA tournament and has posted losing records in Patriot League play.

CCNY Beavers (76-year drought, last won in 1950)

Stepinac’s Justin Morety (0) on defense during their 81-69 win over Monsignor Scanlan at Stepinac High School in White Plains on Friday, December 6, 2019. Stepinac Bball

CCNY famously won both the NIT and NCAA tournaments in 1950. In 2025–26 the Beavers were 8–20 overall (5–9 in the Northeast Conference). The previous season they finished 10–11 (5–8). CCNY now competes in Division III and has not played in the NCAA Division I tournament since 1950.

La Salle Explorers (72-year drought, last won in 1954)

Nov 10, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks guard Jaeden Marshall (2) reacts after a three-point basket during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

La Salle won the 1954 NCAA championship. In 2025–26 the Explorers went 9–23 (5–13 Atlantic 10) and did not reach any postseason. The year before they were 14–19 (5–13). La Salle has struggled in the Atlantic 10 and has not made the NCAA tournament since 1954.

San Francisco Dons (70-year drought, last won in 1956)

Feb 18, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Dons forward Guillermo Diaz Graham (25) during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

USF won back-to-back titles in 1955 and 1956. In 2025–26 the Dons were 17–16 (8–10 WCC). In 2024–25 they finished 25–10 (13–5) and reached the WCC semifinals. Despite recent conference success, San Francisco has not returned to the NCAA tournament since its 1956 title.

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Conclusion

Michigan can be in the mix again next season, but a repeat will not be easy. The portal, roster turnover, and schedule will all matter. The Power 4 schools will stay loaded, and teams like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and UConn should be back in the race.