10 Notable Programs Hoping to End Their NCAA Tournament Drought in 2024

This is ONLY November!

That means that it’s almost time for college basketball.

Check out our list below to see a breakdown of 10 notable programs that are hoping to end their NCAA Tournament drought in 2024. These are in no particular order.

St. John’s

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019

The Red Storm have played in only one of the last seven NCAA Tournaments, and it was in the First Four against Arizona State in 2019. Not to worry, Rick Pitino should change that in 2024. The Hall-of-Fame head coach is determined to make St. John’s a perennial force in March Madness. The Red Storm have not won a game in the NCAA Tournament since 2000, which is the longest active drought among Big East teams.

UNLV

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2013

Everyone in Las Vegas loved to take shots at former Runnin' Rebels head coach Dave Rice, but the fact remains that he’s the last person to lead UNLV to the NCAA Tournament. After hearing their name called on Selection Sunday in back-to-back seasons during the first two years of Rice’s tenure, the Runnin' Rebels haven’t been back since. After Rice was fired during the middle of the 2015-16 season, five other coaches — Todd Simon (interim), Chris Beard (left for Texas Tech weeks after being hired), Marvin Menzies, T.J. Otzelberger, and now Kevin Kruger — have been put in place to attempt to lead this once proud program back to glory. This season should feature the best UNLV team that we’ve seen yet under Kruger -- especially with five-star freshman Dedan Thomas set to run things at point guard.

Cincinnati

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019

The Bearcats advanced to nine straight NCAA Tournament under current UCLA head coach Mick Cronin from 2011-19 but haven’t been back since. Cincinnati would have likely been selected for the 2020 NCAA Tournament under John Brannen thanks to three players — Jarron Cumberland, Tre Scott, and Keith Williams — who performed at an all-conference level. Wes Miller has a steep climb ahead of him as the Bearcats will begin play this season in the Big 12 after a decade in the American Athletic Conference. Miller is a combined 41-28 in two years at Cincinnati. 

Stanford

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2014

Stanford hasn't been part of March Madness since current UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins led the Cardinal to the Sweet 16 in 2014. Jerod Haase begins his eighth season in Palo Alto, searching for ways to again make this program nationally relevant. Stanford advanced to 10 consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 1995-04 under Mike Montgomery.

New Mexico

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2014

Steve Alford led the Lobos to the NCAA Tournament in three of his final four seasons in Albuquerque before taking the UCLA job in 2013. New Mexico hasn’t been back since. That should change in 2024. Richard Pitino returns college basketball’s most underrated backcourt in Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr., and burgeoning sophomore Donovan Dent.

Florida

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2021

The Gators haven’t missed three straight NCAA Tournaments since the mid-1990s; Todd Golden is well aware of that. The second-year head coach added major reinforcements via the transfer portal which should put Florida in position to make a jump in the SEC. A slew of transfers — Zyon Pullin (UC Riverside), Walter Clayton (Florida), Tyrese Samuel (Seton Hall), and Micah Handlogten (Marshall) — highlight a strong batch of newcomers to pair with promising sophomore Riley Kugel. 

Washington

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019

This season's Pac-12 sleeper team is brimming with optimism, and that’s for good reason. The Huskies are set to start four graduate transfers -- Sahvir Wheeler (Kentucky), Paul Mulcahy (Rutgers), and Moses Wood (Portland) -- along with Keion Brooks and a two-headed monster at center in Braxton Meah and Franck Kepnang.

Oregon

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2021

Dana Altman took the Ducks to the Sweet 16 during the 2021 NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis, but Oregon hasn’t really flirted with an at-large bid since. This is a pivotal year for this program under Altman, who has gone to the Sweet 16 five times during his tenure in Eugene, including an Elite Eight in 2016 and a Final Four in 2017.

Butler

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2018

This program would have played in the NCAA Tournament in 2020 under LaVall Jordan had the event not been canceled due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, it’s been five and a half years since Butler — who played in 10 of 12 NCAA Tournaments from 2006-18 — has heard its name called on Selection Sunday. The Bulldogs feel at least a year away from being “in position to be in position” as they continue to rebuild under Thad Matta.

Syracuse

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2021

The Orange are a combined 33-32 over the past two seasons and now hope to be reinvigorated as Adrian “Red” Autry takes over for Jim Boeheim. Syracuse was only picked 10th in the ACC Preseason Poll, but they do feature a dynamic backcourt with Judah Mintz and Notre Dame transfer JJ Starling.

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Jon Rothstein is not a FanDuel employee. The reporting of Rothstein is not subject to FanDuel's verification and does not represent the views or input of FanDuel. Betting based on Rothstein's reporting will not guarantee a successful outcome. Always do your own due diligence and use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.

Rothstein has been a college basketball insider for CBS Sports since 2010 and a contributor to the CBS Broadcast Network since 2016. He joined FanDuel in 2022 as a Content Creator. Rothstein is also the host of the College Hoops Today Podcast via Compass Media Networks.