College Basketball: UCLA, St. John’s and Other Teams Aiming to Recapture Glory

As football season comes to a climactic close, we all turn our attention to the sport with the round ball and round hoops.

Yes, basketball.

And over the course of time, there have been many great teams that put together unbelievable numbers while winning championships.

Those teams reached the pinnacle of success in the college game, the very apex of basketball greatness—and where are they now?

Where are those teams that have wowed us with their abilities and left us in awe at their great strategies formulated by gritty head coaches who knew how to do one thing—win.

They have gone by the wayside, along with zoot suits, the twist and war protesters.

Every year, another team climbs to the top of the heap, and some familiar old names emerge, such as Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State and UConn—but what about those who captured glory in bygone days?

Where are they now?

10. Florida Gators

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OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 18: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators reacts as he coaches against the BYU Cougars during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at Ford Center on March 18, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo

Yeah, it hasn't been that long since Florida won back-to-back national championships in '06 and '07, but they are struggling to reach even the top of the SEC, just the same.

Since Joakim Noah, Al Horford and company left for the NBA, the Gators have been a run-of-the-mill, average SEC team.

However, Billy Donovan's boys are ranked in the top 25, sitting at 18-5.

9. Arizona Wildcats

Let's not forget the Arizona Wildcats and the "glory days" under Lute Olson.

From 1984-2008, the Wildcats made the Big Dance every season under coach Olson, amassing a 589-188 record.

Arizona appeared in three Elite Eights, three Final Fours and won the national championship in 1997.

Last season, the 'Cats were noticeably missing from the tournament, but are back on track for a return this season.

8. St. John's Red Storm

Under legendary head coach Lou Carnesecca,  the Red Storm reached the Final Four only once, but were regular attendees of the Big Dance while dominating the Big East, winning the conference five times from 1977-1986.

The Red Storm have pulled out some quality wins this season, but have not been past the first round of the NCAA Tournament since the 2000 season.

7. Michigan Wolverines

While Michigan has not been known as a basketball school, it has had its moments of glory on the hardwood.

In 1989, Glen Rice led the Wolverines to the NCAA championship and he still holds the record for most points scored by any player at Michigan.

However, years of setbacks suffered because of penalties imposed after the "Fab Five" scandal have left the Michigan program reeling for nearly 15 years.

The Wolverines have definitely improved this season over their most recent horrible performances and will be back as contenders for the Big Ten crown soon.

6. Marquette Golden Eagles

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Marquette Golden Eagles reacts to a call during the CBE Classic consolation game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on November 23, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ja

Marquette won the national championship back in 1977 under head coach Al McGuire, but has only been back to the Final Four once (in 2003) with a team led by Tom Crean, featuring Dwyane Wade.

Other than that trip, the Golden Eagles have not made it past the Sweet Sixteen in that time.

5. UNLV Runnin' Rebels

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LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 02: Carlos Lopez #11 of the UNLV Rebels talks to his head coach Lon Kruger during their game against the Utah Utes at the Thomas & Mack Center February 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 67-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty I

Just for the record, UNLV has the fourth-best winning percentage in college basketball, ahead of UCLA and Duke.

Under maligned head coach Jerry Tarkanian, the Runnin' Rebels appeared in four Final Fours between 1975-1991, winning the championship against Duke in '90 and setting a record as the only team to score 100 points in the championship game.

UNLV has since only been to the NCAA Tournament five times and made it past the first round only twice.

4. North Carolina State Wolfpack

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4 Apr 1983: Head coach Jim Valvano of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates with his team after the Wolfpack defeated the Houston Cougars 54-52 in the NCAA men''s basketball championship game at University Arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

All of us have seen the video of exuberant Wolfpack head coach Jim Valvano looking for somebody to hug after N.C. State won the championship in 1983.

And most of us have heard his inspiring ESPY speech given shortly before he passed away.

N.C. State has never recovered from his loss.

SInce Valvano left in 1990, the Wolfpack has made it to the Sweet Sixteen only once and have not been in the NCAA Tournament since the 2005-2006 season.

3. Indiana Hoosiers

Ah, the Hoosiers.

Storied coach Branch McCracken led the Hoosiers to titles in 1940 and 1953.

From 1971-2000 the Hoosiers were coached by Mr. Volatile himself, Bob Knight.

Under Knight, the Hoosiers won three titles in '76, '81 and '87 and returned to the championship game in 2002 under coach Mike Davis.

The Hoosiers are 28-57 over the last five years and have not been to the tournament since the 2008-2009 season, when they exited in the first round.

The Hoosiers are showing some signs of life and have some brilliant young talent ready to take the next step to success.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky has one of the most storied histories in the annals of college basketball lore: 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996 and 1998— count 'em.

Seven times the 'Cats have won the NCAA championship.

Kentucky made it to the Elite Eight in '99, '03, '05 and in '10 with wonder freshman John Wall and company, but they have not made it past that round since they won the championship in 1998.

1. UCLA Bruins

The recent passing of the Wizard of Westwood brought tears to many of our eyes.

John Wooden coached many great basketball players during his stint at UCLA, and the Bruins won 10 titles in 12 seasons.

The Bruins added another in 1994 under Jim Harrick and reached the championship game with Aaron Afflalo and Jordan Farmar playing under Ben Howland in 2006.

However, the Bruins missed the tournament for the first time since the '04 season last year.

This season UCLA is well on its way to making the Big Dance, but when will the days of Wooden and his men be approached again?

Probably never.