The 25 Best Men's NCAA Tournament Non-Championship Games of the Past 25 Years

Sports Illustrated looks back at the past 25 seasons from 2000 to '25 in men's college basketball, ranking the top 25 NCAA tournament non-championship games.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in abstract, fragmented shapes and colors, representing the surprise and energy of Fairleigh Dickinson's victory over Purdue.Fairleigh Dickinson's historic upset of Purdue shatters expectations and showcases the unpredictable magic of March Madness.Fairfax Today

Sports Illustrated looks back at the past 25 seasons from 2000 to '25 in men's college basketball, ranking the top 25 NCAA tournament non-championship games. No games in the 2026 tournament were considered for this project, but Sunday's UConn-Duke Elite Eight game would be right at home among these games.

Why it matters

These games, while not crowning a champion, have provided some of the most iconic and memorable moments in men's college basketball over the past 25 years. From upsets to buzzer-beaters to epic comebacks, these non-championship games have captivated fans and cemented their place in tournament lore.

The details

The list includes games such as the 2022 Final Four matchup between No. 8 North Carolina and No. 2 Duke, the 2021 Final Four game between No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 11 UCLA, and the 2015 Final Four clash between No. 1 Kentucky and No. 1 Wisconsin. Other notable games include the 2019 Elite Eight showdown between No. 1 Virginia and No. 3 Purdue, the 2017 Elite Eight battle between No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Kentucky, and the 2006 Sweet 16 game between No. 3 Gonzaga and No. 2 UCLA.

  • The games span the past 25 seasons from 2000 to 2025.
  • No games from the 2026 tournament were considered for this project.

The players

Caleb Love

North Carolina guard who hit the game-winning three-pointer against Duke in the 2022 Final Four.

Mike Krzyzewski

Duke head coach whose career came to an end with the loss to North Carolina in the 2022 Final Four.

Jalen Suggs

Gonzaga guard who hit the game-winning half-court buzzer beater against UCLA in the 2021 Final Four.

Frank Kaminsky

Wisconsin center who helped lead the Badgers to an upset over Kentucky in the 2015 Final Four.

Carsen Edwards

Purdue guard who had a historic 42-point performance in a losing effort against Virginia in the 2019 Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These non-championship games have provided some of the most iconic and memorable moments in men's college basketball over the past 25 years, captivating fans and cementing their place in tournament lore despite not crowning a champion.