Michigan State 89, Florida 76

Michigan State's victory over Florida gave coach Tom Izzo his first (and so far only) national championship. The "Flintstones"—Flint natives Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and Charlie Bell—led the Spartans to glory. Despite Cleaves turning his ankle in the second half, the senior point guard returned to the floor and hit key shots that sealed Michigan State's first title since Magic Johnson's 1979 squad. The championship represented the culmination of Izzo's patient building process after taking over from Jud Heathcote in 1995.

Duke 95, Maryland 84

In their fourth matchup of the season with conference rival Maryland, Duke orchestrated what was then the biggest comeback in Final Four history. Down by 22 points in the first half, the Blue Devils methodically erased the deficit. Carlos Boozer's two free throws with under five minutes remaining gave Duke a lead they wouldn't relinquish in their semifinal victory. Duke would go on to win the national championship, but this semifinal comeback remains one of the most remarkable in tournament hist

Syracuse 81, Kansas 78

The Carmelo Anthony-led Syracuse Orange captured their first national championship by defeating Kansas, though the ending nearly turned disastrous. With a five-point lead and just 1:20 remaining, Syracuse's cushion quickly dwindled after a series of missed free throws, including Anthony—the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player—missing the front end of a one-and-one while battling back pain. Kansas had multiple chances to tie or take the lead, but Hakim Warrick's iconic block on Michael Lee's three-point attempt with less than a second remaining sealed Syracuse's victory.

Georgia Tech 67, Oklahoma State 65

In a Final Four semifinal that became infamous for off-court antics, Georgia Tech's Wil Bynum hit the game-winning shot with 1.5 seconds left to defeat Oklahoma State. Years later, Oklahoma State's Tony Allen revealed on Theo Pinson's "Run Your Race" podcast that he had broken team curfew to hang out with Bynum, his friend from Chicago, the night before the game. The next day, Bynum would sink Allen's championship dreams with his clutch basket.

North Carolina 75, Illinois 70

North Carolina ended Illinois' magical season with a victory in the national championship game. The Illini, who had graced the cover of Sports Illustrated's March Madness preview with star guard Dee Brown, had pulled off a miraculous comeback in the regional final against Arizona (erasing a 14-point deficit with four minutes left). Against the Tar Heels, Illinois again found themselves down by 15 but mounted another comeback that fell short when Luther Head's potential game-tying three-pointer missed with 16 seconds remaining.

Florida 84, Ohio State 75

In an era when the NBA's new one-and-done rule was beginning to transform college basketball, Florida accomplished something extraordinary. Stars Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer all turned down likely lottery selections to return for their junior seasons. The result? Florida became the first repeat national champions since Duke in 1992, defeating Ohio State in the title game. The victory gave Florida a 2-0 record against Ohio State in championship games that academic year, having also defeated the Buckeyes for the football national title months earlier.

Kansas 75, Memphis 68 (OT)

Memphis' free throw struggles and Mario Chalmers' heroics created an unforgettable championship finish. Despite leading late, Memphis collapsed as Chris Douglas-Roberts missed three consecutive free throws in the final 1:15, followed by Derrick Rose missing a crucial free throw with 10 seconds remaining. Kansas capitalized when Chalmers hit a game-tying three-pointer with just 2.1 seconds left, sending the game to overtime. The Jayhawks dominated the extra period to win, claiming their first national championship since 1988.

Butler 52, Michigan State 50

Brad Stevens' Butler Bulldogs shocked the basketball world by reaching the Final Four in their hometown of Indianapolis. In the semifinal, Butler took down traditional power Michigan State behind Gordon Hayward's heroics. Butler grabbed the lead with 14:19 left in the second half and never relinquished it, despite Michigan State and future NBA star Draymond Green's best efforts. Hayward's clutch play in the final seconds secured the victory and cemented Stevens' reputation as a coaching prodigy.

Duke 61, Butler 59

Duke escaped with a championship victory over Butler, but basketball history was nearly rewritten. Gordon Hayward's half-court heave at the buzzer—which would have been the greatest game-winner in sports history—hit the backboard and rim before falling away. The near-miss denied Butler a storybook ending in their hometown and preserved Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's fourth national championship in one of the most dramatic finishes ever.

UConn 56, Kentucky 55

UConn's incredible run from the Big East Tournament through the NCAA Tournament nearly ended in the Final Four. After Shabazz Napier committed a turnover with less than 20 seconds remaining, Kentucky had a chance to take the lead and end Kemba Walker's historic streak. However, DeAndre Liggins missed a three-pointer, allowing UConn to escape with a win. The Huskies would go on to defeat Butler in the championship game, completing Walker's remarkable 11-0 run through the postseason.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

The battle of Kentucky featured John Calipari's talented Wildcats against Rick Pitino's scrappy Louisville Cardinals in a heated semifinal. Despite Louisville outplaying Kentucky for stretches, freshman phenom Anthony Davis and the Wildcats pulled away for a victory. Kentucky, which went undefeated in SEC play and lost just twice all season, would go on to defeat Kansas by 12 points in the championship game, giving Calipari his first national title.

Louisville 72, Wichita State 68

Playing through the emotional trauma of Kevin Ware's horrific leg injury, Louisville held off ninth-seeded Wichita State in the semifinal. Despite Russ Smith's uncharacteristic free throw struggles (he went just 1-for-6 at one point despite being an 82% shooter on the season), Louisville managed to pull ahead late. Smith regained his touch when it mattered most, hitting two crucial free throws to help secure the victory. Louisville would go on to win the championship (later vacated due to NCAA violations).

UConn 60, Kentucky 54

Never underestimate the power of the durag line. Kevin Ollie's durag line became almost as famous as seventh-seeded UConn's improbable championship run. Behind Shabazz Napier's outstanding tournament performance, the Huskies defeated Kentucky in the championship game. Ollie's waves and sharply defined hairline became a social media sensation, while his coaching prowess helped UConn become the lowest-seeded team to win the title since Villanova in 1985.

Wisconsin 71, Kentucky 64

Kentucky entered the Final Four with a perfect 38-0 record and dreams of becoming college basketball's first undefeated champion since Indiana in 1976. Wisconsin had other plans. Sam Dekker's clutch three-pointer with 1:44 remaining gave the Badgers a lead they wouldn't surrender in their semifinal victory. The stunning upset denied Kentucky its place in history and sent Wisconsin to the national championship game against Duke.

Villanova 95, Oklahoma 51

Before their championship heroics, Villanova dismantled Oklahoma in the most lopsided Final Four game ever. The 44-point margin surpassed UNLV's famous 30-point championship game victory over Duke in 1990 as the largest in Final Four history. The demolition of Oklahoma and National Player of the Year Buddy Hield set the stage for Villanova's unforgettable championship performance.

Villanova 77, North Carolina 74

"Jenkins... for the championship... YES!" Villanova's Kris Jenkins delivered one of college basketball's greatest moments with his buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat North Carolina for the national championship. The shot was so electric it caused Charles Barkley to leap from his seat on the television set. Jenkins' perfect trailer three capped an incredible sequence after Marcus Paige had tied the game with a double-clutch three-pointer seconds earlier, giving Villanova its first title since 1985.

Gonzaga 77, South Carolina 73

In their first-ever Final Four appearance, Gonzaga survived a nail-biter against South Carolina, winning in the semifinal. After Zach Collins split a pair of free throws to give the Bulldogs a three-point lead with 1:35 left, South Carolina had nearly a full minute of possession but couldn't score. A blocked layup, missed three-pointer, and another missed layup kept the Gamecocks from tying the game. Even after forcing a turnover, Gonzaga strategically fouled before South Carolina could attempt a game-tying shot.

North Carolina 77, Oregon 76

After losing the previous year's championship on Jenkins' buzzer-beater, North Carolina's path to redemption started with crucial offensive rebounds. In their semifinal win over Oregon, the Tar Heels missed four consecutive free throws in the final five seconds—but secured the offensive rebound each time. Oregon never got a chance to attempt a potential game-winning shot, as North Carolina's rebounding excellence preserved their one-point victory.

North Carolina 71, Gonzaga 65

North Carolina completed their redemption tour with a victory over Gonzaga in a championship game dominated by officiating. Referees called 44 total fouls, including 27 in the second half alone. Ironically, one of the game's most crucial moments came when officials missed Kennedy Meeks' hand being out of bounds during a scramble for the ball in the final minute. The physical contest saw both teams whistled for exactly 22 fouls in what many considered an over-officiated finale.

Michigan 69, Loyola Chicago 57

Loyola Chicago and their 98-year-old team chaplain Sister Jean captured America's hearts during their improbable run to the Final Four as an 11-seed. The Ramblers led Michigan by as many as 10 points in the second half of their semifinal matchup, but went nearly five minutes without scoring as their dream season ended with a defeat. Unlike the fictional Whoopi Goldberg-coached choir in "Sister Act 2," Loyola couldn't complete their cinderella story with a championship.

Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77 (OT)

One year after becoming the first 1-seed to lose to a 16-seed (UMBC), Virginia completed a remarkable redemption story. After Kyle Guy hit three clutch free throws with less than a second remaining to win their semifinal against Auburn, the Cavaliers found more late-game magic in the championship. De'Andre Hunter's game-tying three-pointer forced overtime against Texas Tech, and Virginia pulled away in the extra period for a victory and the program's first national championship.

Gonzaga 93, UCLA 90 (OT)

In a pandemic-era Final Four with limited fans, Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs created a moment that deserved a full house. After UCLA tied their semifinal game with three seconds remaining in overtime, Suggs took the inbound pass, raced upcourt, and banked in a logo three-pointer at the buzzer for a Gonzaga victory. The shot—which sent Suggs leaping onto the scorer's table in celebration—instantly joined the pantheon of greatest March Madness moments, despite the subdued atmosphere.

Kansas 72, North Carolina 69

Down 16 points at halftime to North Carolina in the national championship game, Kansas orchestrated the largest comeback in title game history to win. The Jayhawks surged in the second half to take a late three-point lead, but nearly gave it away when Dajuan Harris Jr. accidentally stepped out of bounds with four seconds remaining. Fortune smiled on Kansas as North Carolina couldn't convert their final opportunity, giving the Jayhawks their fourth national championship.

San Diego State 72, Florida Atlantic 71

In Jim Nantz's final tournament as CBS's lead announcer, San Diego State provided a perfect sendoff with a semifinal buzzer-beater. Down 71-70 to Florida Atlantic with seconds remaining, the Aztecs' Lamont Butler raced downcourt after a defensive stop and hit a jumper as time expired for a victory. Nantz, who had just noted that San Diego State didn't have their scorers on the floor, delivered one last iconic call as Butler's shot found nothing but net.

UConn 75, Purdue 60

In an era of constant roster turnover due to the transfer portal and NIL opportunities, UConn achieved something remarkable by winning consecutive national championships. Their dominant victory over Purdue in the title game completed one of the most impressive tournament runs in recent memory. The Huskies became just the third program since UCLA's dynasty ended to win back-to-back titles, joining Duke (1991-92) and Florida (2006-07) in this exclusive club.