NCAA Finals: 1939-2010
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April 5, 2010: Duke 61, Butler 59
In Indianapolis
Duke's Kyle Singler (12) shoots under pressure from Butler's Avery Jukes (24) during the first half. Duke, which was the top-ranked team in in the South Region, had steamrolled all its opponents leading to the Finals, where the Blue Devils had their toughest game, narrowly defeating a Butler team that had to knock off the top two seeds in the West Region on its way to a first-ever championship-game appearance. -
April 6, 2009: North Carolina 89, Michigan State 72
in Detroit
On his way to a 19-point game, North Carolina's Wayne Ellington drives against Michigan State defenders. The Tarheels built a 55-34 halftime lead and cruised in the second half to their fifth national title. -
April 7, 2008: Kansas 75, Memphis 68 (OT)
In San Antonio, Texas
This three-pointer by Kansas' Mario Chalmers sent the game into overtime, and that's where the Jayhawks made their finals statement, outscoring Memphis 12-5. It was the third national championship for Kansas. Memphis subsequently had its second-place finish and all its 2007-08 wins vacated for using an ineligible player, Derrick Rose. -
April 2, 2007: Florida 84, Ohio State 75
In Atlanta
Florida's Corey Brewer tries to score against Ohio State center Greg Oden (20) during the first half. Oden, the dominant player of the year in college basketball, also was the dominant player in this game, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His performance alone was not enough to keep the Gators from repeating as national champs. -
April 3, 2006: Florida 73, UCLA 57
In Indianapolis
High in the air, UCLA's Jordan Farmer tries to block a shot by Joakim Noah, whose 16 points and nine rebounds led the Gators and earned Noah recognition as Most Outstanding Player. Farmer scored 18 points to lead the Bruins. -
April 4, 2005: North Carolina 75, Illinois 70
In St. Louis, Mo.
North Carolina's Sean May, on his way to a game-leading 26 points, struggles to get his shot off as Illinois' Roger Powell and Jack Ingram defend. May also had 10 rebounds as North Carolina won its fourth national title, denying the Illini their first in their first Finals appearance. -
April 5, 2004: Connecticut 82, Georgia Tech 73
In San Antonio, Texas
A power move by Georgia Tech forward Isma'il Muhammad is met with rugged defense by Connecticut's Emeka Okafor in the second half. Okafor's 24 points and 15 rebounds defined him as the top player on the floor and a force in giving the Huskies their second national title. -
April 7, 2003: Syracuse 81, Kansas 78
In New Orleans, La.
Syracuse forward Carmelo Anthony (15) battles to maintain control of the ball while being harassed by Kansas guards Aaron Miles (11) and Keith Langford. The victory marked the first national championship for the Orangemen in three tries under coach Jim Boeheim. -
April 1, 2002: Maryland 64, Indiana 52
In Atlanta
Indiana's George Leach (5) finds no room to operate as Maryland's Juan Dixon (3) and Chris Wilcox (54) take away his options. The Terrapins' defense dictated the outcome, holding the Hoosiers to 34 percent shooting, making Maryland's only appearance the NCAA final a success. -
April 2, 2001: Duke 82, Arizona 72
In Minneapolis
Duke's Shane Battier (31) challenges a shot by Arizona's Michael Wright (2) during the first half of the title game. The matchup was culmination of a tournament that saw the first "play-in" game after expanding to 65 teams, as well as the first high-definition television broadcast of tournament games. It also was the third of four national championships for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. -
April 3, 2000: Michigan State 89, Florida 76
In Indianapolis
Four of the five players on the All-Tournament team came from Michigan State, including guard Mateen Cleaves (12), tangling with Florida's Teddy Dupay. That widespread talent provided a balance that allowed the Spartans to dominate throughout the tournament, their smallest victory margin being 11 points, their largest 27. -
March 29, 1999: Connecticut 77, Duke 74
In St. Petersburg, Fla.
The defense of Connecticut's Ricky Moore, taking possession after forcing Duke's Trajan Langdon into a critical turnover in the waning moments, was a key part of the win by a Huskies team coached by Jim Calhoun. The loss by Duke ended a season in which the Blue Devils set a single-season record for victories with 37. -
March 30, 1998: Kentucky 78, Utah 69
In San Antonio, Texas
Kentucky defender Jeff Sheppart (15), named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, and teammate Heshimu Evans clamp down on Utah's Britton Johnsen (31) during the first half of a game dominated by the Wildcats, who won their seventh national title, second only to UCLA in men's college basketball history. -
March 31, 1997: Arizona 84, Kentucky 79 (OT)
In Indianapolis
Trying to find an opening in the face of defense by Arizona's Mike Bibby, Kentucky's Ron Mercer looks for a passing lane late in the game. Arizona's lone national championship brought a crowning honor to coach Lute Olson, the elegant and widely respected Wildcats coach. -
April 1, 1996: Kentucky 76, Syracuse 67
In East Rutherford, N.J.
Kentucky's Derek Anderson (23) assumes a classic defensive pose while Syracuse's Todd Burgan looks for help during the second half. Kentucky dominated on its championship run, winning each of its first four games by at least 20 points. -
April 3, 1995: UCLA 89, Arkansas 78
In Seattle
UCLA freshman Toby Bailey, driving through Arkansas' Darnell Robinson (44) for two of his 26 points, was a key factor in the Bruins winning their 11th national championship and breaking a 20-year title drought. Jim Harrick became the only UCLA coach other than John Wooden to lead a team to the NCAA crown. -
April 4, 1994: Arkansas 76, Duke 72
In Charlotte, N.C.
Duke's Jeff Capel (5) drives past Arkansas' Corey Beck (14) during the first half. In the victory, the Razorbacks got stellar play from forward Corliss Williamson, who scored 23 points and ultimately was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. After the 1995 season, he was drafted by the Kings, becoming a Sacramento favorite. -
April 5, 1993: North Carolina 77, Michigan 71
In New Orleans, La.
Michigan sophomore Chris Webber (4), blocking a shot by North Carolina's Eric Montross (00), was the best player on the floor, scoring 23 points a grabbing 11 rebounds. But the future Kings icon alone could not bring the Wolverines a title. The championship was North Carolina coach Dean Smith's second and last. -
April 6, 1992: Duke 71, Michigan 51
In Minneapolis, Minn.
Duke's Antonio Lang, right, puts pressure on Michigan's Juwan Howard. The Blue Devils controlled the game under the leadership of Most Outstanding Player Bobby Hurley, who became the Kings' top draft pick, and kept Michigan superstar Chris Webber more or less under control (14 points, 11 rebounds). It was the second consecutive national championship for Duke and coach Mike Krzyzewski. -
April 2, 1991: Duke 72, Kansas 65
In Indianapolis
Coming off the bench, Duke's Bill McCaffrey (5), fighting for possession with Kansas guard Adonis Jordan, left, and Terry Brown, scored 16 points, providing the extra punch needed by the Blue Devils to defeat Kansas. -
April 2, 1990: UNLV 103, Duke 73
In Denver
His -- and his team's -- glory days yet to come, Duke's Bobby Hurley finds himself trapped by UNLV guard Anderson Hunt, left, and Stacey Augmon, leaders of the supremely talented Runnin' Rebels. The 30-point blowout was the most lopsided outcome in NCAA championship game history. Duke returned to -- and won -- the next two NCAA finals. -
April 4, 1989: Michigan 80, Seton Hall 79 (OT)
In Seattle
Playing up around the rim. Michigan's Glen Rice, the tournament Most Outstanding Player, pulls down a rebound in front of teammate Rumeal Robinson and Seton Hall's Frantz Volcy. Rice scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, a performance that helped Steve Fisher, a Michigan assistant elevated to the top coaching spot when Bill Frieder got the boot after saying he was headed to Arizona after the season, earn a national title. -
April 4, 1988: Kansas 83, Oklahoma 79
In Kansas City, Mo.
Oklahoma's Dave Sieger (44) shoots over Kansas' Hilt Newton (21) and Terrence Mullins (24) during the first half of a game the Sooners were expected to win against their Big 8 rival Jayhawks. But Kansas, know as "Danny and the Miracles" because of their sublime big man Danny Manning, pulled a big upset and gave coach Larry Brown, enjoying one of the college phases of his varied career, his sole national title. Manning scored 31 points and had 18 rebounds. Miracle indeed. -
March 30, 1987: Indiana 74, Syracuse 73
In Kansas City, Mo.
Indiana's Keith Smart, elevated and showing near-perfect form, prepares to release the game-winning shot in the final seconds as Syracuse's Howard Triche tries to stop him. The basket ended a thrilling game and provided coach Bobby Knight with his third national championship. Only John Wooden (10), Adolph Rupp (four) and Mike Krzyzewski (four) have more. -
March 31, 1986: Louisville 72, Duke 69
In Dallas
Louisville's Billy Thompson (55) yanks down a rebound in a game that gave Cardinals coach Denny Crum his second NCAA title, defeated Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski in his first championship game appearance and helped Pervis Ellison earn Most Outstanding Player recognition - and a ticket to being the first pick in the subsequent NBA draft. He was chosen by the Kings. -
April 1, 1985: Villanova 66, Georgetown 64
In Lexington, Ky.
With tournament Most Outstanding Player "Easy" Ed Pinckney (54) watching, Villanova's Dwaye McClain dunks over Georgetown's Patrick Ewing, itself a fairly stunning event during a game that produced one of the most surprising upsets in NCAA championship history. Coached by Rollie Massimino, Villanova was the lowest-seeded team to win a national title, knocking off the No. 1 Hoyas in the final college game played without a shot clock. -
April 2, 1984: Georgetown 84, Houston 75
In Seattle
College basketball's two best big men, Georgetown's Patrick Ewing, (pulling down a rebound) and Houston's Akeem Olajuwon (35), battled long and hard throughout the game, culminating with the bruising Hoyas winning their only national championship while making coach John Thompson the first African American coach to lead a team to the college crown. It was the second straight finals loss for the Guy Lewis-coached Cougars. -
April 2, 1983: North Carolina State 54, Houston 52
In Albuquerque, N.M.
Hakeem Olajuwon brings down one of his 18 rebounds for Houston, but his performance, which included 20 points, couldn't overcome the intense play and well-designed game plan of coach Jim Valvano's Wolfpack. The game was decided by a Lorenzo Charles dunk of an errant last-second 30-foot shot by Dereck Whittenburg, one of the most famous finishes in NCAA history. -
March 30, 1982: North Carolina 63, Georgetown 62
In New Orleans, La.
With North Carolina's Michael Jordan (23) closing in, Georgetown's Ed Springs rebounds during the see-saw game. Culminating a tournament that started with 48 teams, the Tarheels won on a late jumper by Jordan, one of three superstars on the team, the others being Most Outstanding Player James Worthy and Sam Perkins. -
March 31, 1981: Indiana 63, North Carolina 50
In Philadelphia
Isiah Thomas' smile, on display after the Hoosiers' national championship victory, was nearly as well known as his skills, which helped carry Indiana past the Tarheels. Thomas scored 23 points and named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. -
March 24, 1980: Louisville 59, UCLA 54
In Indianapolis
Darrell "Dr. Dunkenstein" Griffith, occupies the honored position after he and his Louisville teammates gave coach Denny Crum his first national title (Crum and the Cardinals won their second in 1986). Griffith, whose nickname was earned because of his theatrical jumping and dunking ability, was the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, scoring 23 points in the final game. -
March 26, 1979: Michigan State 75, Indiana State 64
In Salt Lake City
This game was known for starting the Magic-Bird era in basketball as the college games greatest stars, Indiana State's Larry Bird (33), helping his fallen foe, and Michigan State's Magic Johnson, went head to head. They took what became sports' most compelling rivalry on to the NBA, where their greatness matured into legend. In the NCAA title game, Johnson, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, scored 24 points with seven rebounds and five assists. Bird scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. -
March 28, 1977: Marquette 67, North Carolina 59
In Atlanta
Marquette's Butch Lee (15) goes high to score against North Carolina. Lee scored 19 points and helped carry the Golden Eagles to their only national title. It also provided a grand farewell for coach Al McGuire, whose emotional response to the victory touched fans nationwide. McGuire retired after the game and became a well-known television basketball analyst. -
March 30, 1976: Indiana 86, Michigan 68
In Philadelphia
Wearing a trademark checkered jacket and rare smile, Indiana coach Bobby Knight, left, celebrates the Hoosiers' victory over Michigan with Scott May, center, and Quinn Buckner. May, Buckner and Kent Benson provided a big-3 punch that carried Indiana through the 32-team tournament and overwhelmed the Wolverines in the final. -
March 31, 1975: UCLA 92, Kentucky 85
In San Diego
Appropriately adorned as victor, UCLA coach John Wooden wears a net cut down by his team after winning the 10th and final national championship under his leadership. The balanced Bruins overcame a 34-point effort by Kentucky's Kevin Grevey to give a fitting sendoff to the "Wizard of Westwood," who retired from coaching after the season. -
March 26, 1973: UCLA 87, Memphis State 66
In St. Louis, Mo.
Some observers say UCLA center Bill Walton (32), shooting to score two more of his record 44 points, had the greatest game in NCAA finals history. He made 21 of 22 shots and also pulled down 13 rebounds, leading one of UCLA's greatest teams. -
March 25, 1972: UCLA 81, Florida State 76
In Los Angeles
Smooth-playing UCLA guard Henry Bibby -- whose son, Mike, would play for the Kings 30 years later -- accepts the national championship trophy from tournament chairman Tom Scott after leading the Bruins over the Seminoles, extending the UCLA championship streak to six. -
March 27, 1971: UCLA 68, Villanova 62
In Houston
UCLA forward Sydney Wicks (35), a member of the all-tournament team, celebrates with teammates and coach John Wooden after the Bruins defeated Villanova, which later had its second-place finish vacated for using an ineligible player, Howard Porter, who had signed with an agent during the season. Porter had 25 points and eight rebounds in the final. -
March 21, 1970: UCLA 80, Jacksonville 69
In College Park, Md.
In what was becoming a familiar occurrence, UCLA coach John Wooden accepts congratulations -- this time from Jacksonville coach Joe Williams -- for leading the Bruins to a national championship. -
March 22, 1969: UCLA 92, Purdue 72
In Louisville, Ky.
Lew Alcindor -- later Kareem Abdul Jabbar -- prepares to release another deadly shot during a totally dominant performance in which he scored 37 points and pulled down 20 rebounds as UCLA beat coach John Wooden's alma mater. -
March 23, 1968: UCLA 78, North Carolina 55
In Los Angeles
North Carolina's Larry Miller, whose play earned him a spot on the all-tournament team, drives toward the basket where Lew Alcindor (33) waits with outstretched arm. UCLA spoiled the NCAA final debut of North Carolina head coach Dean Smith. -
March 26, 1967: UCLA 79, Dayton 64
In Louisville, Ky.
Even with UCLA sophomore center Lew Alcindor playing high and tight defense, Dayton's Don May shoots and scores, providing a rare highlight for the Flyers. Alcindor's 20 points and 18 rebounds helped him win the first of three straight Most Outstanding Player awards as UCLA started a streak of seven consecutive national titles. -
March 19, 1966: Texas Western 72, Kentucky 65
In College Park, Md.
Thad Jaracz (55) of Kentucky and David Lattin (42) of Texas Western battle for a rebound early in a game that was compelling for other reasons. Texas Western, later to be University of Texas, El Paso, had five African American players in the starting lineup, unprecedented in NCAA tournament play. The Texas Western victory was a huge upset and step forward in college athletics. -
March 20, 1965: UCLA 91, Michigan 80
In Portland, Ore.
Michigan's Bill Buntin (22) and Oliver Darden (55) establish rebounding position, keeping UCLA's Keith Erickson (53) and Doug McIntosh (32) out of the way. But a 42-point performance by UCLA guard Gail Goodrich was too much for the Wolverines, led by Cazzie Russell's 28 points. -
March 21, 1964: UCLA 98, Duke 83
In Kansas City, Mo.
Leading with a sweet flat-top haircut, Duke's Jay Buckley (22) splits the defense of UCLA's Doug McIntosh (32), left, and Kenny Washington (23). The Bruins, though, controlled most of the game, with guard Gail Goodrich scoring 27 points and Washington scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, giving coach John Wooden the first of 10 national championships. That record remains unchallenged. -
March 23, 1963: Loyola 60, Cincinnati 58 (OT)
In Louisville, Ky.
Loyola's Vic Rouse (40) scores the winning basket at the end of overtime, making it one of the most dramatic plays in NCAA tournament history. A shot by Loyola's Jerry Harkness (15) tied the score at the end of regulation. The Loyola win ended Cincinnati's championship winning streak, keeping the Bearcats from becoming the first team to win three straight titles. -
March 25, 1962: Cincinnati 71, Ohio State 59
In Louisville, Ky.
Surrounded by teammates, Ohio State center Gary Bradds, middle left, and Cincinnati center Paul Hogue scramble to control a loose ball. Hogue and Bradds were top performers in the title game, which saw the Bearcats defeat the Buckeyes in the final for the second straight year, Hogue scoring 22 points and grabbing 19 rebounds, Bradds scoring a team-leading 15 points. -
March 25, 1961: Cincinnati 70, Ohio State 65 (OT)
In Kansas City, Mo.
Filling as much space as possible, Cincinnati center Paul Hogue rebounds in front of teammates Carl Bouldin (34) and Bob Wiesenhahn and Ohio State's John Havlicek. The victory gave Cincinnati coach Ed Jucker his first of two straight national titles in the first of three straight trips to the championship game. -
March 20, 1960: Ohio State 75, California 55
In San Francisco
California forward Bill McClintock, center right, tips the ball in for two points against Ohio State forward Joe Roberts (14) in the second half. It was one of few high points for the Bears, who were trying to repeat as national champs under coach Pete Newell, Instead, the Buckeyes won their first and only championship, despite returning to the title game the next two years. -
March 21, 1959: California 71, West Virginia 70
In Louisville, Ky.
A jubilant crowd celebrates as Cal players hoist coach Pete Newel to their shoulders after defeating West Virginia and winning the Golden Bears' sole national championship. Cal played a consistent, balanced game, offsetting a 28-point performance by West Virginia's Jerry West, the greatest player in the land that year and the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. -
March 22, 1958: Kentucky 84, Seattle 72
In Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky's center Ed Beck (34) blocks a shot at the basket by Seattle's Eigin Baylor (22). The Wildcats were led by Vern Hatten's 30 points and Johnny Cox's 24 points and 16 rebounds, overwhelming a Seattle team led by Baylor's 25 points and 19 rebounds. -
March 23, 1957: North Carolina 54, Kansas 53 (3OT)
In Kansas City, Mo.
Exhausted but happy North Carolina players carry coach Frank McGuire in celebration of their triple-overtime victory. A 23-point, 14-rebound game by Kansas sophomore center Wilt Chamberlain, named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, wasn't enough to overcome the Tarheels' balance. -
March 18, 1955: San Francisco 77, La Salle 63
In Kansas City, Mo.
San Francisco center Bill Russell clears out space and controls a rebound in the first of two consecutive national title wins for the Dons. Russell, who score 23 points, teamed with K.C. Jones, who had 24, to out-muscle La Salle, which was trying to repeat. -
March 18, 1953: Indiana 69, Kansas 68
In Kansas City, Mo.
Indiana coach Branch McCracken is carried off the floor by the Hoosiers after they defeated Kansas, spoiling Jayhawks coach Phog Allen's final trip to the national title game. -
March 27, 1952: Kansas 80, St. John's 63
In Seattle
Walt Byers, executive director of the NCAA, presents the first-place trophy to Kansas' Clyde Lovellette, who scored 33 points and grabbed 17 rebounds on his way to Most Outstanding Player recognition. -
March 28, 1951: Kentucky 68, Kansas State 58
In Minneapolis, Minn.
Decorum gives way to pure happiness as members of Kentucky's championship team celebrate their victory. It was the Wildcats' third national title in four years under coach Adolph Rupp. -
March 28, 1950: City College of New York 71, Bradley 68
In New York City
Celebrating an unheard-of double in front of hometown fans, City College of New York coach Nat Holman accepts his players' adulation after defeating Bradley at Madison Square Garden. Two weeks earlier, City defeated Bradley for the National Invitation Tournament championship on the same court. -
April 1, 1945: Oklahoma A&M 49, New York University 45
In New York City
Oklahoma A&M coach Henry "Hank" Iba and his 1945 championship team, front left to right, Weldon Kern and Cecil Hankins, back left to right Doyle Parrack, Iba, Bob Kurland and Blake Williams are pictured after winning the university's first of two consecutive national titles. -
March 28, 1942: Stanford 53, Dartmouth 38
In Kansas City, Mo.
Stanford's only national championship was earned by a team led by a cohesive starting five (from left) -- Bill Cowden, Howie Dallmar, Ed Voss, Jim Pollard and Don Burness -- and coached by Everett Dean (far right). Dallmar scored 15 points for Stanford, then known as the Indians, and was the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. -
March 29, 1941: Wisconsin 39, Washington State 34
In Kansas City, Mo.
John Kotz was a sophomore during the 1941 season, a young leader who was voted Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament, leading the Badgers to a tough, low-scoring victory. The 6-foot-3 forward was All-American in 1942 and 1943. -
March 31, 1940: Indiana 60, Kansas 42
In Kansas City, Mo.
Marvin Huffman (second from left), Indiana senior guard and captain, looks at the trophy he received after being named most valuable player in the Hoosiers' defeat of Kansas.
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