Top College Basketball Teams with the Most National Titles

There are over 350 schools competing in Division I men’s basketball, but only 15 of them have secured multiple national championships. At the forefront is UCLA, boasting an impressive 11 titles. Following them are Kentucky with 8, and both North Carolina and UConn with 6 each.

Below are the schools that have won more than one national championship:

Collegiate Basketball Programs with the Most National Titles

• UCLA — 11
• Kentucky — 8
• UConn — 6
• North Carolina — 6
• Duke — 5
• Indiana — 5
• Kansas — 4
• Florida — 3
• Villanova — 3
• Cincinnati — 2
• Louisville — 2
• Michigan State — 2
• NC State — 2
• Oklahoma State — 2
• San Francisco — 2

*The Committee on Infractions later vacated Louisville’s participation in the 2013 tournament.

Tied 8th: Florida — 3 Championships

Winning Years: 2006, 2007, 2025

Florida kicked off its championship journey with consecutive titles in 2006 and 2007, becoming the first repeat champions since Duke in the early ’90s. Their third victory came in 2025 after overcoming a 12-point deficit in the second half against Houston.

Tied 8th: Villanova — 3 Championships

Winning Years: 1985, 2016, 2018

Villanova knows how to clinch a championship dramatically. Their first title in 1985 remains the lowest seed (No. 8) to ever win the NCAA tournament, toppling the heavily favored No. 1 seed Georgetown. In 2016, a half-court buzzer-beater by Kris Jenkins against North Carolina became legendary. By 2018, Donte DiVincenzo emerged from the bench to score 31 points, leading the Wildcats to another win.

7th: Kansas — 4 Championships

Winning Years: 1952, 1988, 2008, 2022

Kansas clinched a thrilling victory against North Carolina in 2022, marking coach Bill Self’s second national championship. Their previous title was secured in 2008 following an overtime win against Memphis.

Tied 5th: Indiana — 5 Championships

Winning Years: 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987

Indiana earned its first titles under coach Branch McCracken, who guided the Hoosiers to their first championship in 1940. Bob Knight later led the team to a perfect 32-0 season in 1976, achieving the last flawless season by a national champion.

Tied 5th: Duke — 5 Championships

Winning Years: 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015

Under the leadership of Mike Krzyzewski who started in 1981, Duke secured all five of its championships. They had previously reached two title games but lost both, only finding victory after Coach K’s arrival.

Tied 3rd: Connecticut — 6 Championships

Winning Years: 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024

UConn holds the record for the most national titles this century, achieving five championships. Notably, they have gone undefeated in all six championship games they’ve participated in, a unique accomplishment among teams with multiple appearances.

Tied 3rd: North Carolina — 6 Championships

Winning Years: 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017

North Carolina, under coach Frank McGuire, achieved an undefeated national championship in 1957. The Tar Heels returned to dominance under coach Dean Smith and later Roy Williams, collecting several titles throughout the years.

2nd: Kentucky — 8 Championships

Winning Years: 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012

During the mid-20th century, Kentucky was exceptionally dominant in college basketball. Under coach Adolph Rupp, they won their first NCAA title in 1948 and continued their success through various coaches over the years.

1st: UCLA — 11 Championships

Winning Years: 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995

UCLA’s dynasty during the 1960s and 1970s is unmatched, with an astonishing overall record of 335-22 and a remarkable .938 winning percentage. Their collection of 10 national titles includes seven consecutive championships.

*Louisville’s participation in the 2013 tournament was later vacated by the Committee on Infractions.