FanPost

Dominant Programs Chart 1985-2017

There are various ways to define an "elite" or "dominant" program. My definition allows one to see which programs are elite at any given point in time. The criteria is based solely on performance in the NCAA tournament and not reputation. These are programs which always seem to go deep into the tournament. Teams that have a lot of wins in the regular season but consistently fail to advance very far in the tournament are not elite since they are not serious contenders for the national championship. On the other hand, the vast majority of teams that advance far into the tournament have had an excellent regular season.

An elite or dominant program is one that consistently contends for the national championship fulfilling the following criteria:

* They must excel for at least three years. One year where everything falls into place (like UCLA in 1995) does not make an elite program.

* They must reach at least the Elite Eight in two of three consecutive years.

* Elite programs do not lose in the first round or fail to appear in the tournament during that period.

About 50 schools have made the Sweet 16 at least four times since the tournament went to 64 teams in 1985. The following table denotes the round number each of those teams reached:

0 = not in tournament

1 = lost in first round

2 = lost in 2nd round

3 = lost in 3rd round (Sweet 16)

4 = lost in 4th round (Elite Eight)

5 = lost in national semi (Final Four)

6 = lost in championship game

* = national champion

BLUE shaded areas are periods in which teams have made at least two Elite Eights or better in three years without a first round loss or non-appearance.

GOLD shaded areas are periods in which teams have made at least two Final Fours or better in three years without a first round loss or non-appearance.

DOMINANT PROGRAMS CHART

Twenty-seven schools have achieved elite status but for about half of those who did, it happened only once for a three or four year period. Only Kentucky, Kansas, Duke and UNC have been elite for a good percentage of the 30 years, but Duke hasn't met the criteria since 2001.

The current dominant programs are Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Gonzaga and Notre Dame (who made it with the minimum qualifications - two elite eights and a 2nd round in the last three years).

The only other teams that can make it next season are Villanova, Virginia and Xavier by getting to the Elite Eight. UCLA would have to make at least the Elite Eight the next two years to achieve that status.

If you don't agree with my criteria, then set up your own and make a chart so we can compare them.




This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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