The NCAA Tournament is one of the biggest events in college basketball. It is a time when the top teams in the nation come together to compete for the title of National Champion. In the last decade, one team has stood out above the rest: the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Under the guidance of head coach John Calipari, the Wildcats have become one of the most successful programs in NCAA Tournament history.
Kentucky’s success in the NCAA Tournament is nothing new. The Wildcats have won eight national championships, which is the second-most in NCAA history, trailing only the UCLA Bruins. In addition, they rank second in all-time NCAA Tournament victories with 129. However, since Calipari took over as head coach in 2010, Kentucky has been even more dominant in the tournament.
As of 2023, the Wildcats have the most NCAA Tournament wins since 2010, with 31 victories. Kansas is the only other team with as many tournament wins during that span. Duke, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Michigan, Villanova, Michigan State, Syracuse, Wisconsin, and Florida round out the top 11. This impressive accomplishment is a testament to the strength and consistency of the Kentucky program under Calipari’s leadership.
Kentucky has made four Final Four appearances since Calipari became the head coach, which is the most of any team during that period. The Wildcats have also made it to the Elite Eight seven times and the Sweet 16 eight times. This level of success is unmatched by any other program in the NCAA Tournament over the last decade.
UK ranks second in the nation in all-time NCAA Tournament victories with 129, but no team has more wins in the tournament than the Wildcats since 2010, when John Calipari first led the Wildcats into the Big Dance, entering the 2023 tournament:
31 – Kentucky, Kansas
30 – Duke
29 – North Carolina
27 – Gonzaga
24 – Michigan
23 – Villanova
22 – Michigan State
20 – Syracuse, Wisconsin
19 – Florida
18 – Baylor
16 – Butler, Louisville
15 – Ohio State
14 – Oregon
13 – Connecticut, Virginia
Since Calipari took over the reins at UK, no team has more:
• NCAA Tournament wins (31)
• Final Four appearances (four)
• Elite Eight appearances (seven)
• Sweet 16 appearances (eight)
The Wildcats face off against the Friars tonight at 7:10 PM EST.
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