While programs like North Carolina, Duke and Kentucky steal the show on a yearly basis, there are many teams outside of those three that make plenty of noise, especially when March Madness rolls around.
Although being the No. 1 team in the land means serious bragging rights, not everyone can be No. 1, and that is — in one word — okay. As for these 15 teams, they have never been ranked No. 1 in the polls — well, the AP Poll, that is.
Spoiler alert: There are a ton of teams that have never stood at the top of the standings, so plenty of names will be left off this list.
*To see all of the teams that have been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, collegepollarchive.com has you covered.
15. Maryland Terrapins
Getty ImagesIf Maryland was going to jump to the top of the AP standings, you would think this would have been the year. The Terps entered the season as one of the most talented groups in the nation, and they still have title contender status written all over them.
14. Butler Bulldogs
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Butler has had quite the journey in college basketball. Heck, the team made back-to-back title games at one point, and it now finds itself playing in the Big East.
13. Purdue Boilermakers
Getty ImagesIt’s amazing to think the Purdue Boilermakers have never been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, especially since they have gone dancing 27 times (via ESPN.com), but that remains the case to this day.
12. Florida State Seminoles
Getty ImagesThe Florida State Seminoles might not be the best team in the ACC (Duke and North Carolina reside in the conference, after all), but they have still done some work over the years. Unfortunately, they don’t have a No. 1 ranking in their history to brag about, and the football team tends to get all of the love.
11. Vanderbilt Commodores
Getty ImagesVanderbilt is not the best team of all time in the SEC, but this program has still managed to make the Big Dance 13 times (via ESPN.com). That has to count for something, right?
10. Utah Utes
Getty ImagesOnce again, the Utah Utes are one of the best squads the Pac-12 has to offer. However, this is yet another team that has never found itself at the top of the AP rankings. Nonetheless, Utah should be feared by the rest of the 2016 NCAA tournament field — well, when the field is actually set, that is.
9. VCU Rams
Getty ImagesShaka Smart put the VCU Rams on the map. Thanks to the Smart era, VCU is consistently one of the best mid-majors in college basketball, and this year is no different.
8. Creighton Bluejays
Getty ImagesCreighton has been home to some very talented players. You know, like Kyle Korver and Doug McDermott. The program also went from mid-major to Big East member, but it still hasn’t climbed to the top of the AP Poll.
7. San Diego State Aztecs
Getty ImagesThe San Diego State Aztecs don’t have that No. 1 ranking thing going for them and they have never won a national championship, but this program has still been part of March Madness many times, which is what college hoops is all about.
6. Iowa State Cyclones
Getty ImagesThe Mayor (Fred Hoiberg) is no longer the head coach, but Iowa State is still making some noise in college basketball. On one fine day, it might even find itself ranked No. 1 in the country … but it will have to wait until at least next season for that dream to come true.
5. Xavier Musketeers
Getty ImagesXavier — if you can believe it — has made the dance 25 times (via ESPN.com). By my count, that is a ton of times.
4. New Mexico Lobos
Getty ImagesNew Mexico is consistently one of the best teams in the MW, and it has plenty of NCAA tournament appearances to prove it (15 according to ESPN.com). Unfortunately, the Lobos need a miracle to make the tourney this year.
3. Oregon Ducks
Getty ImagesThis year, the Ducks are one of the best teams in the country (hence the No. 9 ranking). Still, when it comes to that No. 1 ranking, no dice … well, at least not yet.
2. LSU Tigers
Getty ImagesThe LSU Tigers might have the most talented player in the country in Ben Simmons, but they still could miss out on the dance, and they are far from the No. 1 ranking in the country. They do have four Final Four appearances in their history, though, and that is big time.
1. BYU Cougars
Getty ImagesBYU not being ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll might not come as a surprise to some, but this fun fact will certainly have plenty of folks surprised: BYU has made the tournament 29 times (via ESPN.com).
