The Thrill is Gone: Six Former Final Four Schools Winless in 21st Century

February 23rd, 2026 - 11:27

Whether we need backbone transplants or vaccine injections emphasized by Dr. Fraudci, these are bubble-wrapped times trying sports fans' souls. Even before cancellation of 2020 extravaganza, a significant number of schools turn sheepish at the mention of recent NCAA Tournament success. Among Division I institutions making more than 10 NCAA playoff appearances, six former Final Four participants - Penn, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Seattle, Southern Methodist and Texas-El Paso - have combined to go winless in the NCAA tourney thus far in 21st Century. A year ago, St. John's won its first playoff game since 2000.

DePaul and USF each have won more than 20 NCAA tourney games but collaborated for only one win in the previous 35 years (DePaul over Dayton in double overtime in 2004). With B.B. King "The Thrill is Gone" lyrics in the background, following is an alphabetical list of schools with more than 10 NCAA playoff appearances for which Sweet 16 is a distant memory:

School (Playoff Appearances) Recent NCAA Tournament Travails
Boston College (18) no appearance previous 15 tourneys; winless previous 17 tourneys
Charlotte (11) no appearance previous 19 tourneys; winless previous 23 tourneys
DePaul (22) no appearance past 20 tourneys; one victory previous 35 tourneys
George Washington (11) one victory previous 30 years
Georgia (12) winless previous 22 tourneys; one victory previous 28 tourneys
Holy Cross (13) posted first win since 1953 10 seasons ago in play-in game
Idaho State (11) winless previous 47 tourneys
Old Dominion (12) one victory previous 29 tourneys
Penn (24) winless previous 30 tourneys; one victory previous 44 tourneys
Pepperdine (13) no appearance previous 22 tourneys; one victory previous 42 tourneys
San Francisco (17) winless since 1979
Santa Clara (11) no appearance previous 28 tourneys
Seattle (11) winless since 1964; no appearance since 1969
Southern Methodist (12) winless previous 36 tourneys
Texas-El Paso (17) winless previous 32 tourneys
Weber State (16) winless previous 25 tourneys
Wyoming (16) one victory previous 37 tourneys