Has Any Team Won Back To Back Ncaa Basketball Championships
Winning a college basketball championship is one of the most significant achievements for any team, but winning back-to-back championships is an even more remarkable feat. Many teams have attempted to win consecutive championships, but only a few have successfully done so. In this article, we will explore the teams that have won back-to-back NCAA basketball championships.
1. Oklahoma State (1945-1946)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys were the first team to win back-to-back NCAA basketball championships in 1945 and 1946. Led by Hall of Famers Bob Kurland and Sam Aubrey, the Cowboys dominated the college basketball scene during this time, winning 58 consecutive games. They defeated NYU in the 1945 championship game and North Carolina in 1946 to secure their place in history.
2. Kentucky (1948-1949)
The Kentucky Wildcats won back-to-back NCAA basketball championships in 1948 and 1949. Coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp, the team featured players like Alex Groza, Ralph Beard, and Wallace Jones. They defeated Baylor in 1948 and Oklahoma A&M in 1949 to become the second team to win consecutive championships.
3. San Francisco (1955-1956)
The San Francisco Dons were the next team to win back-to-back NCAA basketball championships in 1955 and 1956. Coached by Phil Woolpert, the team featured Bill Russell, a future Hall of Famer who went on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history. They defeated La Salle in 1955 and Iowa in 1956 to secure their place in history.
4. UCLA (1964-1965, 1967-1973)
The UCLA Bruins are the most successful team in NCAA basketball history, having won a record 11 championships. They won their first back-to-back championships in 1964 and 1965, with players like Gail Goodrich and Walt Hazzard leading the way. The Bruins then won seven consecutive championships from 1967 to 1973, with perhaps the greatest college basketball player of all time, Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), leading the way for most of those teams. They defeated Duke, Michigan, Purdue, Jacksonville, Memphis State, and Bill Walton-led Memphis in those championship games.
5. Duke (1991-1992)
The Duke Blue Devils won back-to-back NCAA basketball championships in 1991 and 1992. Coached by Mike Krzyzewski, the team featured players like Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, and Grant Hill. They defeated Kansas in 1991 and Michigan in 1992 to secure their place in history.
Conclusion
Winning an NCAA basketball championship is challenging enough, but winning back-to-back championships is even more difficult. Only five teams have accomplished this feat, with UCLA winning the most with an impressive seven consecutive championships. These teams will forever be remembered in college basketball history for their incredible achievements and dominance on the court.