History Of 17 College Basketball Teams With Most Wins

• First Season: 1902
• Record: 2385-751-1
• Winning percentage: 76%

The Kentucky Wildcats are the most successful team in NCAA Division I men's basketball history, having won championships with five coaches.

Their story is a colorful tapestry of players, coaches, and experiences that will never be forgotten, gaining the #1 spot after the Kansas basketball ruling in October 2023.

The winning tradition was started by Adolph Rupp and carried on by coaches like Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, and John Calipari.

• First Season: 1898
• Record: 2380-886 (lost 15 wins due to NCAA infractions)
• Winning percentage: 72.9%

The Kansas Jayhawks are among the most accomplished teams in NCAA basketball history, with 2,380 wins, second only to Kentucky in the all-time win total.

This 2022 National Champions create a magnificent tapestry of victory with players like Wilt Chamberlain, Danny Manning, and Frank Mason contributing to their supremacy and clutch shots.

Kansas was placed second on a list of the most esteemed programs of the contemporary age of college basketball by ESPN in 2008.

• First Season: 1910
• Record: 2350-855
• Winning percentage: 73.3%

With about 2,350 victories and six national titles, the North Carolina Tar Heels record 21 Final Four appearances, 18 ACC wins, and six national championships.

On Carolina's hardwood floor, icons like Bob McAdoo and Michael Jordan have worked their magic, leaving a legacy of grace, tenacity, and championship runs.

• First Season: 1905
• Record: 2280-923
• Winning percentage: 71.2%

The Blue Devils of Duke University have one of the most illustrious and colorful histories of any college basketball school.

Since 1905, Duke legend was shaped by the likes of Zion Williamson, Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Their domination is demonstrated by their five national titles, each trophy a dazzling reminder of their unwavering quest for success.

• First Season: 1900
• Record: 2082-967
• Winning percentage: 68.3%

The Syracuse Orange stand tall, bathed in the fiery glow of their storied legacy, ranking among the nation's elite, a testament to a program steeped in tradition and excellence.

Since the first season in 1900, the Orange have woven a tapestry of triumph, boasting ten conference championships, 6 Final Four appearances, and 1 national championship in 2003.

The names of legendary players like Derrick Coleman, Carmelo Anthony, and Rudy Hackett reverberate through the Carrier Dome's deafening cheers.

• First Season: 1919
• Record: 1994-896
• Winning percentage: 69%

With 11 national titles, illustrious coaches like John Wooden, and renowned players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, the Bruins boast the sixth-most wins in NCAA history.

The journey started in 1919, and under Wooden's direction, UCLA dominated the 1960s and 1970s as the college basketball team with the most national championships.

He established a dynasty by winning ten titles overall over his 12 seasons, including a record seven in a row (1967-73).

• First Season: 1894
• Record: 1984-1139
• Winning percentage: 63.5%

Standing tall with 1,984 wins all-time, the Temple Owls men's basketball program claim the seventh spot in the pantheon of all-time winningest teams.

The Owls made their mark on the country from their early supremacy in the Big 5, a league that raised some of the toughest rivalries in the country, to their 1938 NIT championship run.

The Owls maintained their sharpness through decades of highs and lows, reaching the Final Four twice and boasting 33 NCAA tournament appearances.

• First Season: 1907
• Record: 1975-1089
• Winning percentage: 64.5%

Ranking eighth in all-time wins (1,975), St. John's Red Storm have witnessed iconic rivalries, championship runs, and legends who etched their names in basketball lore.

They were early leaders when their adventure started in the 1907-08 season, registering their first victory in January against Adelphi University.

The 1910-11 squad, boasting a perfect 14-0 record, was retroactively named national champions by two reputable outlets (Helms Foundation and Premo-Porretta Power Poll).

• First Season: 1896
• Record: 1952-1094-1
• Winning percentage: 64.1%

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are based in central Indiana, have made a lasting impression on NCAA basketball history.

With an astounding 1,952 victories since its founding in 1896, they are the ninth-most winningest program in NCAA history.

They've consistently battled in the trenches of March Madness, reaching the NCAA Tournament an impressive 37 times.

• First Season: 1902
• Record: 1926-1137
• Winning percentage: 62.9%

Nestled in the mountains of Utah, BYU Cougars basketball resonates with a proud history brimming with victories.

Ranking 10th all-time with over 1900 wins, the Cougars have carved their legacy through decades of thrilling moments and iconic players.

Though not reaching the Final Four since 1981, the Cougars have consistently competed at the top, reaching 30 NCAA Tournaments and claiming NIT titles in 1951 and 1966.

• First Season: 1896
• Record: 1923-1060
• Winning percentage: 64.5%

Nestled in West Lafayette, Indiana, the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball program boast a storied history, etched in sweat, teamwork, and an unwavering spirit.

With over 1,923 wins under their belt, they rank 11th in the nation, testament to a legacy of consistent excellence.

Matt Painter, the current head coach, has infused the program with a modern flair, leading the team to two Big Ten titles and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in his 17-year tenure.

• First Season: 1900
• Record: 1916-1109
• Winning percentage: 63.3%

With 1,916 victories under their belt and still counting, the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program are among the top twelve successful schools in NCAA history.

The Hoosiers won two national championships under his leadership, with the 1976 squad going down in history as the last undefeated NCAA Champions.

Legendary sideline antics by Bobby Knight to Scott May's buzzer-beater against UCLA in 1985—Hoosier history is filled with memorable incidents and extraordinary people.

• First Season: 1901
• Record: 1896-1067
• Winning percentage: 64%

The Cincinnati Bearcats stand proudly amongst the pantheon of winningest teams, a testament to unwavering grit and decades of legendary players.

Their journey began in 1901, the first dribble bouncing across Fifth Third Arena. Since then, they've amassed over 1,800 victories, etching their name at #13 on the national leaderboard.

Coaches like Ed Jucker and Gale Catlett guided the Bearcats to six Final Fours and 33 NCAA Tournament appearances.

• First Season: 1905
• Record: 1886-1129
• Winning percentage: 62.6%

The Texas Longhorns men's basketball program are synonymous with gridiron greatness, but their hardwood history is equally impressive.

Boasting the 14th-most wins among all Division I men's basketball programs, the Longhorns have carved a path of victory for over a century.

They've tasted the national spotlight, reaching the NCAA tournament 37 times – the 11th-most appearances in tournament history.

• First Season: 1905
• Record: 1884-1056
• Winning percentage: 64.1%

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball program stand tall as one of the most decorated basketball programs in NCAA history.

Boasting 1,884 wins against only 1,056 losses, the Illini rank 15th in total wins among Division I programs. Their journey is paved with iconic moments, passionate fans, and legendary players.

While the Illini took the court first time in 1905, the golden age arrived in the 1980s under coach Lou Henson.

• First Season: 1908
• Record: 1883-1069
• Winning percentage: 63.8%

The Utah Utes men's basketball, based in the Salt Lake City valley, have a unique place in college basketball history.

Their best years were the 1940s, which culminated in the 1944 NCAA Championship title and the 1947 NIT Championship.

Their stability is demonstrated by five more conference titles, and notable players like Andre Miller and Andrew Bogut have made an impact in the NBA.

• First Season: 1921
• Record: 1878-975
• Winning percentage: 65.8%

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers carve out a unique path in collegiate basketball victories, nestled among Kentucky's blueblood titans.

Legend Rick Stansbury has steered the Hilltoppers to greatness, etching his name in WKU folklore.

One Final Four appearance, two Elite Eight plays, 23 NCAA tournament bids, and 28 conference regular season titles paint a picture of consistent excellence.