March Madness is soon upon us and the hope for Florida Basketball in 2025 is that they can break a deadlock with a number of teams they are tied for 9th with for the most national title in NCAA history to join a select group of teams who have who it all at least three times.
As it stands, the Gators are one of just 15 schools to have won the national title twice.
UCLA - 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
The gold standard of college basketball through the 60s and 70s, UCLA is the only school with double-digit national titles.
However, they have only won one national title since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Kentucky - 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
Before the dominance of UCLA in the '60s, Kentucky ruled the land through the 40s and 50s. The Wildcats won two more in the 90s before winning their latest title in 2012.
UConn - 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
Where UCLA got its head start on national titles before the dawn of color television, no program has had more success in the modern era than UConn.
The Huskies didn't win their first national title until 1999 and are the defending back-to-back national champions.
North Carolina - 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
For as much as a blue blood as UNC is considered, they didn't win their 3rd national title until 1993. But they have kept the ball rolling and won their last national title in 2017.
Duke - 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
Like UConn, Duke didn't start their national title spree until the 90s. However, they have maintained their status as one of the elite teams in college basketball and entered this year's tournament as one of the favorites to win it all and get their 6th title.
Indiana - 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
Like UCLA, Indiana hasn't been able to make it to the finish line in the modern era. Not only was Indiana's last title in 1987, they haven't been to a Final Four since 2002.
Kansas - 4 (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
A program with success across multiple eras, Kansas won their first title in 1952 and most recently cut down the nets in 2022.
Villanova - 3 (1985, 2016, 2018)
Winners of the initial 64-team tournament in 1985, the Wildcats were kings of college basketball towards the end of the 2010s by winning two titles in a three year span.
Cincinnati - 2 (1961, 1962)
Coincidently, the two titles that Cincinnati won were after Oscar Robinson left. The Bearcats almost pulled off a three-peat and were runner-ups in 1963.
Florida - 2 (2006, 2007)
Proof that Florida has all the resources needed to always be an elite power program in basketball, the Gators won it all in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007.
Louisville - 2 (1980, 1986, 2013*)
Official NCAA records only recognize the 1980 and 1986 national titles for the Cardinals. Louisville won it all in 2013, but they were forced to vacate the title after Rick Pitino was fired as part of a "pay for play" scandal.
Michigan State - 2 (1979, 2000)
Their first title was in the famous 1979 championship game featuring Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. They won it all again in 2000 over Florida. They have been to six Final Fours since their last title.
NC State - 2 (1974, 1983)
Their 1983 title was one of the most famous runs in NCAA Tournament history with Jim Valvano at the helm. The Wolfpack tried to recreate the magic last year with their first Final Four appearance since that title run.
Oklahoma State - 2 (1945, 1946)
When Oklahoma State won their two national titles, they were known as the Aggies and in their first national title they knocked off the NYU Violets, who are currently a D3 school.
San Francisco - 2 (1955, 1956)
With Bill Russel powering the squad, San Francisco won back-to-back titles in the 50s. They went back to the Final Four in 1957, the last time they have been to the Final Four. Todd Golden too them to the NCAA Tournament in 2022, their first appearance since 1998.