Fansided

College basketball blue bloods ranked by all-time legacy

By Mike Phillips

Michael Jordan is all smiles along with coach Dean Smith as Jordan announces at a 1984 press conference that he will forgo his senior year in college to play professional basketball. (Raleigh News & Observer/TNS via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan is all smiles along with coach Dean Smith as Jordan announces at a 1984 press conference that he will forgo his senior year in college to play professional basketball. (Raleigh News & Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 21
Next
17 Feb 2002: Steve Blake #25 of Maryland talks to teammates Juan Dixon #3 and Chris Wilcox #54 during the game against Duke at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland . The Maryland Terrapins beat the Duke Blue Devils 87-73. DIGITAL IMAGE.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones/Getty Images
17 Feb 2002: Steve Blake #25 of Maryland talks to teammates Juan Dixon #3 and Chris Wilcox #54 during the game against Duke at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland . The Maryland Terrapins beat the Duke Blue Devils 87-73. DIGITAL IMAGE.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones/Getty Images /

17. Maryland

  • Record: 1,563-1,035 (.602 Winning Percentage)
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances: 28
  • Final Fours: Two (2001, 2002)
  • National Titles: One (2002)
  • Notable Alums: John Lucas, Buck Williams, Joe Smith

Another relatively recent entry to the blue blood pool is Maryland, which made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament back in 1958. The Terrapins made it to the Elite Eight twice in the 1970s before beginning to become tournament regulars in the 1980s, but the program took a big step beginning in 1989.

That year was the first at the helm for legendary coach Gary Williams, who took the Terrapins to brand new heights. After failing to reach the NCAA Tournament in his first four years at the helm, Williams guided Maryland to the dance for 11 consecutive years.

During that time, Maryland became one of the most dangerous teams in the country, reviving a bitter rivalry with Duke for ACC supremacy. That rivalry came to a head in 2001, when Maryland reached the Final Four for the first time only to see their season come to an end at the hands of Duke.

That defeat fueled the Terrapins the next year when they got back to the Final Four and outlasted Kansas and Indiana to win the first national championship in program history. That title would be the high water mark for the Terrapins under Williams, who failed to get beyond the Sweet 16 in any of their subsequent appearances.

Maryland has since moved to the Big Ten, where coach Mark Turgeon is looking to help Maryland write a new legacy in another prestigious conference.