Entering the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is a significant accomplishment, but making it consistently over the years exemplifies a team’s commitment to excellence.

Since the inception of the NCAA tournament in 1939, only five Division I programs have reached the tournament for 20 or more consecutive years. This feat highlights the difficulty of maintaining a high level of performance in college basketball.

Here’s a summary of the longest active NCAA tournament appearances:

1. Michigan State (27 years)

Head coach Tom Izzo took the helm of the Spartans in 1995-96, guiding them through early struggles that saw a record of 33-28 in his first two seasons. However, by year three, the Spartans found their footing, sharing the Big Ten title and moving on to the Sweet 16 in 1998. Izzo has since led the Spartans to eight Final Fours and a national championship in 2000.

2. Gonzaga (26 years)

Mark Few has been at the forefront of Gonzaga basketball for 26 seasons, leading the team to NCAA tournament appearances each year. This incredible streak began in 1999 under his predecessor and continued under Few, who has consistently achieved over 23 wins per season. Gonzaga’s prominence in the national spotlight has grown significantly, particularly with their performance in the 2021 tournament.

Active Tournament Streaks (Through 2025)

Additional contributions made by Brian Mull in the original version of this story.