Dynastic UConn: Comparing the Greatest Three-Year Runs

As UConn gears up in pursuit of its next championship, it’s an ideal moment to reflect on the greatest dynasties in modern college basketball. The landscape of the sport has evolved significantly over the years, and the challenges faced by these teams have changed. Below, we explore some of the most impressive three-year stretches in modern history and consider why UConn’s might already be the most impressive two-year run of dominance, with another chance to bolster its case over three. This achievement is particularly notable today, given the high level of roster turnover, including their own, and the challenges of maintaining success in the current era.

UCLA’s Dominance: A Different Era

UCLA’s run of championships under John Wooden in the 1960s and early 70s remains iconic. However, it’s essential to recognize the context: the tournament was smaller, and fewer top teams participated. With only 24 teams competing in the NCAA Tournament during UCLA’s heyday, the path to the title was less daunting than it is today when some where top 5 teams were not included in the field. UCLA certainly could have had the best teams, but adding two more rounds and more quality teams would have likely tripped them up more as well.

North Carolina’s 1982 championship and their loss in the 1981 title game put them in the conversation for elite programs. However, while their success was notable, it occurred before the tournament was fully expanded, and their 1983 performance didn’t hold up as strongly. The team they defeated in the 1982 national title game, Georgetown, would go on to win the championship in 1984 and make it to the championship game again in 1985. This highlights the impressive nature of Georgetown’s run and underscores how a team with a star like Patrick Ewing, who played for four years, represents a different era of college basketball. Additionally, North Carolina’s early exit as a 5 seed in the 1983 tournament further diminished their claim to sustained dominance.

UNLV

UNLV had the first Dynasty opportunity post tournament expansion in the true modern era.

Jerry Tarkanian’s UNLV team, with its 1990 championship and dominance represents one of the most formidable three-year spans in modern college basketball history. UNLV’s 1990 title, followed by a return to the Final Four in 1991. The Runnin’ Rebels’ 103-73 win over Duke in the 1990 championship game is one of the most dominant performances in NCAA Tournament history. Most of the same Duke team that would go on to win back-to-back Championships.

Duke

The first back-to-back Championships in the modern expanded field were Duke, but this doesn’t even fully encapsulate the dynasty. This was peak Duke who was at a level the sport may never see again.

Duke’s back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992, coming off a championship game in 1991 under Coach Mike Krzyzewski, solidified the Blue Devils as a dynasty of the early ’90s. With key players like Christian Laettner and Grant Hill leading the charge as four-year players, during a time when many college players were already starting to leave after two or three seasons. 7 Final Fours in 9 years was more realistic then, and I doubt will ever be matched.

Duke almost pulled off two championships in three years about a decade later as well. The 1999 team should have probably won the title, but the more disappointed season was returning most of the championship team in 2002 and losing to 5th seed Indiana in the Sweet 16.

Arkansas

Arkansas, under the leadership of Nolan Richardson, established itself as a formidable force in college basketball. The pinnacle of their success came in the 1993-94 season when the Razorbacks, with a 31-3 record and a No. 1 seed, captured the NCAA Championship taking out Duke. Often overlooked in this conversation.

Kentucky

This era was notable because, despite featuring many of the same players, Kentucky’s success came under two different coaches. Rick Pitino’s tenure laid the foundation with a championship, while Tubby Smith continued the legacy with another national title.

Kentucky’s dominance under John Calipari was evident with multiple deep tournament runs and a national championship. However, the 2012-13 season, marked by a disappointing NIT appearance, briefly marred an otherwise stellar era. This success is particularly impressive considering Calipari achieved it largely with freshman players.

Michigan State

Tom Izzo’s run is especially impressive considering one of those losses in the Final Four was to one of the stronger Duke teams that didn’t win a championship in 37-2 Duke only losing by 6 points. The championship is a little weaker than many however. I don’t think they beat a truly great team on their own championship run.

North Carolina

After Matt Doherty, Roy Williams was able to secure a championship with many of Doherty’s recruits. While he couldn’t quite achieve three consecutive years at the level of some other dynasties, it was still one of the stronger five-year stretches in college basketball.

Florida

Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators achieved back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Florida’s success was built on a roster that included future NBA stars like Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Corey Brewer. It seems more like one special mostly unchanged group and window however.

Villanova

Villanova’s titles in 2016 and 2018 are impressive, and from a record and seed perspective, this stretch is among the greatest seen in modern college basketball. However, the team faced setbacks, including losses to lower-seeded teams in the Second Round, despite many players being part of the championship squads. This highlights the difficulty of maintaining dominance in today’s college basketball landscape and illustrates how unpredictable the tournament can be, even for the most proven teams.

UConn

UConn’s recent successes are remarkable, especially given the complexities of modern college basketball, including the transfer portal, NIL, and free transfers. The team’s ability to thrive amid these changes highlights their exceptional adaptability. The 2023 NCAA Tournament saw UConn dominate with a formidable roster, but the 2024 team, which was largely different following the departure of Adama Sanogo, Jordan Hawkins, and Andre Jackson, managed an even more impressive performance.

UConn’s average margin of victory in the 2024 tournament was a staggering 23.3 points, the highest in NCAA history, showcasing an unparalleled level of dominance. This follow-up to their dominant run in 2023 solidifies their claim to the most impressive two-year performance in NCAA tournament history. However, the 2022-23 team did not win the Big East regular season or tournament titles, and the 2021-22 team was upset by a 12-seed New Mexico State. That upset will not get it done. However UConn will have the opportunity this season to solidify their status with a third season, potentially securing the best three-year stretch in modern history.

Conclusion

The evolution of college basketball dynasties underscores how the sport has grown increasingly more competitive and complex over the years. From UCLA’s dominance during a time of fewer tournament teams to UConn’s success in the modern era of the transfer portal, each dynasty showcases the unique challenges and strengths of its time, especially this time.

As UConn aims for a potential three-peat or at least to assert itself as the best three-year run, they have already established a strong case for the best two-year stretch. Despite some reservations about their offseason moves they still have a good shot at a top 10 season. The main competition for the best three-year run remains early 90s Duke and late 90s Kentucky. To solidify their claim as the best three-year stretch, UConn will likely need at least an Elite Eight or Final Four appearance. I give them a little more leeway, given the current complexities of building a dynastic program. College Basketball is also stronger than ever with covid 5th years and NIL keeping players longer and consolidating them in the power conferences with free transfer year to year. You can’t just stack McDonalds All Americans and expect to keep them 3 or four years like you could in that era.