College Basketball: The 33 Most Overrated Programs in College Hoops

College basketball has been crowning champions in the NCAA tournament since 1939, giving it one of the oldest and most storied sports traditions in the nation.

Universities from across the country have entered in the Big Dance looking for fame, glory and a chance to become legends for generations.

Of the huge group of contenders that fights to qualify every year, only a few have won the whole thing more than once.

UCLA, which owns 11 titles, takes the top spot. Kentucky with seven, Indiana and North Carolina, with five, and finally UConn and Kansas, with three, round out the top six schools.

The most decorated programs in nation show their strengths with their championships. So what about the other big shots we all know and love? Where do they stand in terms of overall greatness?

They don't.

You may very well find many a surprise on this list. Of course, loyal fans will argue that making the tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen or finishing in the Final Four should be good enough to secure "not overrated" status.

In some cases, that would be completely true.

However, success without titles or inconsistent play earns many of these highly-touted programs a spot on the list. 

So without further adieu, here we are, taking a look at the most 33 most-overrated programs in college basketball.

Washington

The Huskies have had the pleasure of attending one Final Four back in the early 1950's.

That isn't so recent.

They aren't hyped beyond reason, but considering their track record of two Elite Eight appearances and only five Sweet Sixteens, Washington shouldn't really get too much credit.  

North Carolina State

The Wolfpack is a great program with a lot of history. They were one of the top basketball destinations for recruits...back in the 1980's.

Since then, not a lot has been going on for NC State.

They had great moments—two national championships and three Final Fours appearances—before the Cold War was over. Considering they are located in the same state as Duke and UNC, they don't get the hype that they used to get, but they still take a borderline position on this list.  

Oregon

Oregon won the very first NCAA Tournament back in 1939. Since then, however, their output has not been too notable.

The Ducks have recently made a slight comeback, but two Elite Eights in the past decade won't cut it. 

They definitely aren't over hyped, and that's why they take another borderline position as overrated. 

Kansas State

The Wildcats have had the pleasure of reaching the Final Four four times and have never won the whole enchilada.

Moreover, all of those Final Fours came before Armstrong walked on the moon. 

A late resurgence under coach Frank Martin hasn't been dazzling enough as KSU has only reached the Elite Eight once under him. A somewhat borderline addition to the list, the Wildcats' performance still qualifies as overrated. 

Michigan

The Wolverines claimed their only national title back in 1989. They also have six Final Four appearances. (Two of them have been vacated due to the Ed Martin Scandal, however).

Since 1994, Big Blue hasn't returned to the Sweet Sixteen. 

Somewhat back on track in a tough Big Ten, Michigan is looking to get back to the old glory days.

For now, though, they get to sit on this list. 

Missouri

Missouri has the second highest number of tournament appearances without a single Final Four.

That pretty much speaks for itself. Having reached the Elite Eight twice in the past decade, Mizzou is good, but definitely not great.

Without a lot of consistency and no real success getting deep into the tournament, the Tigers easily make the cut. 

Maryland

Consistency is certainly the key to the Terrapins position on this list.

With one national title back in 2002 and a Final Four appearance the year before, Maryland has really only been extremely successful as of late. Their only other Elite Eights were back in the late 1970's.

With a new coach signing on this year, don't expect much to change there soon. 

Cincinnati

With two national championships back-to-back in the early 1960's, the Bearcats are borderline.

They haven't been consistent enough, especially considering their last Final Four was in 1992.

Considered a somewhat strong Big East power, Cincy isn't what it acts like. Its last Sweet Sixteen was all the way back in 2001.

Despite their two titles, consistency is key and the Bearcats don't have any.

Georgia Tech

Not exactly considered an ACC powerhouse, Georgia Tech also isn't the bottom of the barrel in its own conference.

A standout year in 2004 clouds some judgment, but honestly GT is not top notch.

It's tough to see this university, which has only made the Elite Eight four times, as anything but overrated. 

Purdue

Considered one of the better programs in the Big Ten, the Boilermakers don't own a single title. Having only attending two Final Fours, one back in the late 1960's and another in 1980, Purdue is more than overrated.

With their most recent Elite Eight coming back in 2000, things just haven't been going Purdue's way. 

Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons' only Final Four came back before Vietnam even started.

For a program that has drawn in some pretty big stars over the years, WFU is a bit low on the top notch success as of late.

Their last Elite Eight coming in the mid-1990's, Wake Forest easily earns the title as a overrated program. 

Memphis

With three Final Four appearances and two runner-up credits, the touting that the Tigers receive is a bit on the excessive side. Large gaps between Sweet Sixteens appearances really put a damper on what could be a great program.

After losing Calipari to Kentucky, the college basketball nation realized how much Memphis depended on great coaching for success.

As one of the non-major conference powers, the Tigers are a bit overrated considering their speckled success. 

Illinois

The Fighting Illini are a classic Big Ten power who aren't really all that powerful. With five Final Fours, three of which came right after World War II, Illinois doesn't live up to the reputation they've created over the years.

With no Sweet Sixteen appearances in the 1970's or the 1990's, consistency is a huge problem for the Fighting Illini.

Recruits should think twice before playing for this overrated program.   

Arizona

The Wildcats didn't have much success pre-1980.  All four of their Final Fours appearances occurred in the past 25 years. With one title back in 1997, Arizona's success is mostly centered around the turn of the century.

Hailing out of the Pac-12, UA is the second most storied squad after UCLA.

As the Bruins have declined as of late, the Wildcats have taken over, but they are still no replacement.  

Florida

The Gators are all about succeeding in the 21st century.

With two titles back to back in 2006 and 2007, coach Billy Donovan has really helped Florida match up against a historically powerful Kentucky.

Before the 1990's, however, UF wasn't any kind of basketball destination. Their first tournament appearance was back in 1987, making Florida good now, but historically, overrated. 

California

UC Berkeley has recently resurfaced as a basketball contender after sitting out of the Big Dance from 1961-1989.

One championship back in the late 1950's is the most recent success this program owns, making it an easy call to stick them on this list.

The inconsistency is the main offense for the Golden Bears, and as they look forward to the future, making the NCAA tournament every year will be key to staying on top of the Pac-12.

Tennessee

Having attempted to compete with SEC powerhouse Kentucky for years now, the Volunteers are still on the outside looking in. With only one Elite Eight visit ever, Tennessee makes the cut with ease.

With a huge gap in their Big Dance appearances in the 1990's, UT is currently trying to force a resurgence.

With the university firing Bruce Pearl just last season, things seem like they won't change anytime soon.

BYU

The Cougars have attended more NCAA tournaments without reaching the Final Four than any other team in the nation.

Reaching the Elite Eight three times, twice in the early 1950's and once in the early 1980's, BYU has never been able to make it over the hump to the Final Four. 

A pretty consistent tourney appearance track record, the Cougars just haven't had the luck to break into the elite of the college basketball world. With players like Jimmer leading them, that needs to change if they want to get off this list.

UNLV

The Rebels stole a title back in 1990, but since their 1991 Final Four UNLV hasn't done much.

A Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2007 is the high water mark in the 21st century, and that is unacceptable for a top notch program.

UNLV is one of the better small-conference contenders every season, but to get off this list they need stronger performances in the Big Dance. 

Vanderbilt

Vandy has gone deep in the tourney once. Not exactly Kentucky, the Commodores do much better on the court than on the gridiron, but a lone Elite Eight isn't exactly cutting it, especially since it was back in the mid-1960's.

With some recent success in this past decade, Vanderbilt is trying to establish itself as a power in the SEC.

They need to work a little harder. 

Utah

With a championship back in the early 1940's and a runner-up finish just before the turn of the century, Utah hasn't really come through this decade at all.

Only returning to the Sweet Sixteen once back in 2005, the Utes need to step it up now that they've joined a new conference. 

As one of the more storied programs in the Pac-12, and with UCLA going through a rough patch, Utah may be able to re-establish some power on the court.

For now, however, they still classify as overrated.

Wisconsin

The Badgers pose as another big-time Big Ten program, but their only title came all the way back in 1941. Their most recent success comes in the form of the 2000 Final Four appearance.

Wisconsin hasn't had the ability to return to that form since.

Consistency is most certainly the largest problem with this program, as the Badgers failed to make the Big Dance anytime in between the years 1947 and 1994. No gap like that should be respected.

Gonzaga

Considered a potent force of late, the Bulldogs exploded in the mid-1990's and have continued their success ever since.

Their first appearance in the Big Dance came just back in 1995 and although that was a huge step, national prominence came when they made the Elite Eight in 1999. Historically, this call is pretty obvious.

Extremely consistent once they had some success, Gonzaga is just too young a power to not be overrated.

Georgetown

One of the Big East's basketball-only (perceived) powerhouses, the Hoyas have secured exactly one title—all the way back in 1984.

Three-time runners-up, twice in the 1980's, Georgetown has had tough times since then.

Five Final Fours is impressive, but only one of those (back in 2007) has come after the end of the Cold War back. Considered one of the best destinations on the east coast, the Hoyas need more consistent success to get off this list.  

Texas

Reaching the Final Four three times, twice in the early 1940's and again in 2003, the Longhorns have surged under coach Rick Barnes as of late. His coaching has allowed for UT to break 20 wins and make the Big Dance in each of the past 12 seasons.

Before Barnes arrived, however, Texas had some trouble. Considered Kansas' best competitor in the Big 12, UT skipped the Sweet Sixteen between 1972 and 1990.

Barnes has them back on track and the Longhorns are certainly borderline for overrated, but what they really need is a title to secure elite status. 

Louisville

Taking home the championship twice in the 1980's, Louisville is one of the most storied programs in the Big East.

Since then, however, their only Final Four came back in 2005. The 1990's were particularly tough for the Cardinals, who only managed one trip to the Elite Eight.

Possibly the most consistent university on this list in terms of qualifying for the tourney, Louisville is a big name that needs some more recent "big" success. Grabbing another title or at least a Final Four would be exactly what the Cardinals need.

Michigan State

While their Wolverine brothers may be their state's big-time squad on the gridiron, MSU is certainly on top when it comes to the court.

The Spartans hold two titles, one from back in the late 1970's and the other in 2000. Their eight Final Four appearances are their most impressive statistic, but as the Big Ten's top power, why aren't more of those championships?

Definitely one of the most threatening programs in the country today, only a gap in the 1960's and early 1970's, in which they failed to show up to the tournament, blemishes their record.

Overrated may be a strong word, but with a coach like Izzo and a reputation like they own up in East Lansing, there should be some more titles up on the wall.   

Pittsburgh

The Big East power Pitt is actually championship-less.

Certainly very respected as a basketball university, the Panthers only have attended one Final Four—back in 1941. For such a high-class big-shot, Pitt certainly is lacking in the historical success department.

The Panthers have been extremely inconsistent over the years.

Rarely making the Big Dance before the 1980's and owning a drought in the late 1990's, Pittsburgh is possibly one of the most deserving on this list.

Marquette

The Golden Eagles won a single title back in 1977 and have made three Final Fours(two in the 1970's and one in 2003). Consistency is the offense for Marquette as they failed to put up any tourney appearances between 1983 and 1993. 

For a university that considers themselves a Big East power, MU missing the entire Big Dance for a decade is unacceptable, especially since it was also somewhat recent.

A huge gap in their Elite Eights appearances also hurts Marquette. They didn't make it deep in the tourney between 1977 and 2003.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes, along with the Spartans, are easily the two strongest Big Ten powers.

Ten Final Fours (one vacated for NCAA violations) speaks for itself. However, with eight of the nine valid ones coming before 1970, OSU has obviously had some trouble recently.

Drawing in superstars like Jared Sullinger and Greg Oden, Ohio State aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Considered major force on the court, only three Sweet Sixteens in the past decade is not acceptable. A title back in 1960, the Buckeyes need to grab another one soon if they want to get off this list. 

Villanova

Another classic Big East superpower, this basketball-only university doesn't live up to its reputation. With one championship back in 1985 and four Final Fours (one vacated), 'Nova has some pretty large gaps between successes.

With no Sweet Sixteen appearances between 1988 and 2005, the Wildcats can't seem to make up their minds. Do they want to be a threat every season or just lie down for squads like UConn, Syracuse, and Louisville?

If they really are the power they claim to be, they need to start acting like it.  

Xavier

The top basketball university in the Atlantic-10 conference, Xavier ranks third on the list of programs who have attended the most NCAA tournaments without a  trip to the Final Four.

The Musketeers have owned their conference for the better part of the decade, but just haven't been able to push past the Elite Eight.

Like Gonzaga, Xavier is more or less considered a recent power. Their first tourney may have been in 1961, but they didn't make it back till the 1980's.

They have yet to really threaten the big boys. 

Syracuse

Syracuse basketball is a national brand. The Orange are always a threat to own the Big East, take over a one seed in the Big Dance and go deep in the tourney.

A storied program with a lot of history, Syracuse is the most surprising program on this list. 

How is it that the Orange only have one national title? Most of us recall 'Melo taking over the 2003 tourney and cutting down the nets, but who really would have believed it would Syracuse's first ever?

I certainly couldn't.

For such as big-time draw for recruits, fans, and the media, the Orange don't even own a championship anytime in the 20th century.

Syracuse's reputation paired with their meager on-the-court success is the main reason they top this list by a long shot.