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The Best NCAA Teams That Didn’t Win The National Championship

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(Photo by David E. Klutho /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Every year when March Madness comes around there is almost always a definitive favorite to win the big dance. This year Gonzaga is slated as the best future odds to win the national championship at +300 with Arizona closely behind at +550. If these favorites won the tournament outright every year then the degenerates of America would be very rich, but as we know that is not the case. Instead we get Cinderella stories with wild upsets and buzzer-beaters every round that inevitably busts our brackets. These are the best NCAA teams that didn’t end up winning the national championship.

2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats: 18-0 in conference, 38-1 overall

Notable Players: Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Willie Cauley-Stein, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ulis

2009-10 Kentucky - 14-2 in conference, 35-3 overall

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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Notable Players: John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson

Another John Calipari led class of one-and-done hoopers at Kentucky that couldn’t claim the national championship was the 2010 team. Headlined by future NBA All-Stars John Wall and Demarcus Cousins, this team was far from lacking talent. Add the likes of Eric Bledsoe and Patrick Patterson and you have a starting five that could double as an NBA team (albeit they wouldn’t be very good today). This team would meet its demise in the elite eight against West Virginia, truly not living up to expectations.

1998-99 Duke: 16-0 in conference, 37-2 Overall

Notable Players: Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Shane Battier, William Avery, Trajan Langdon

1990-91 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels: 18-0 in conference, 34-1 overall

Notable Players: Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacy Augmon

1982-83 Houston Cougars: 16-0 in conference, 31-3 overall

Notable Players: Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler

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